There’s a reason NJ Monthly named Ho-Ho-Kus the #1 town in New Jersey. This intimate borough of about 4,200 residents manages to combine some of the best schools in the state, a National Historic Landmark, and a direct NJ Transit train to the city, all in a setting that feels more like a New England village than a suburb 20 miles from Manhattan.
As a Bergen County real estate specialist, I can tell you that Ho-Ho-Kus is one of those towns where homes sell quietly and quickly, often before they even hit the open market. Here’s why families keep competing to get in.
1. Schools That Rank Among the Best in New Jersey
Ho-Ho-Kus delivers an exceptional education from start to finish. The borough’s own Ho-Ho-Kus Public School (PK-8) earns an A+ from Niche, ranking #35 among all elementary schools in New Jersey. GreatSchools gives it a perfect 10/10 for test scores, outperforming 91% of comparable schools in the state. Math proficiency sits at 83%, English at 80%, and the Algebra I pass rate is a perfect 100%.
For high school, Ho-Ho-Kus students attend Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, one of the top public high schools in the entire state. Northern Highlands earns an A+ from Niche, ranks #30 in New Jersey by U.S. News, and has an average SAT score of 1340 with a 99% graduation rate. The school offers 28 AP courses, and 90% of AP test-takers score 3 or above. With 81% of Ho-Ho-Kus adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, education isn’t just a priority here. It’s the foundation of the community.
2. Public Safety: Check the Official Numbers
For current crime statistics, see the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Reports and the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department.
3. Small-Town Charm You Can’t Manufacture
Ho-Ho-Kus has a character that larger, wealthier Bergen County towns spend millions trying to recreate. The downtown along Franklin Turnpike and Sheridan Avenue is genuinely charming, anchored by the historic Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern (dating to 1796), Albert’s for BYOB Italian, Graze Brunch Kitchen for inventive weekend brunch, and the beloved Ho-Ho-Kus Famous Bagels.
The borough’s compact size is its superpower. With a population just over 4,200, neighbors actually know each other, the Recreation Commission runs programs year-round, and the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook adds natural beauty threading through the community. And because Ridgewood’s lively downtown is immediately adjacent, you get small-town living with big-town dining and shopping just minutes away.
4. A Train Station in the Heart of Town
Ho-Ho-Kus Station sits on the NJ Transit Main Line, just 500 feet from the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, meaning you can walk from dinner to the platform in about two minutes. The ride to Penn Station takes roughly an hour and seven minutes via Secaucus Junction, and bus Route 163 offers an alternative at about 41 minutes to Port Authority.
By car, the George Washington Bridge is approximately 22 minutes away. The average Ho-Ho-Kus commute comes in around 36 minutes, though nearly 30% of residents work from home, a testament to the professional demographics of the community. The 1908 station building, with its river-stone facade and tile roof, is a small architectural gem that makes the daily commute feel a little less mundane.
5. History, Community, and Serious Investment Value
Ho-Ho-Kus is home to The Hermitage, Bergen County’s first National Historic Landmark. This Gothic Revival house museum dates to the mid-1700s, and George Washington himself stayed here in July 1778. Aaron Burr married Theodosia Prevost within its walls in 1782. For a borough of this size, the historical significance is remarkable.
The investment case is equally compelling. With a median household income exceeding $250,000, a 91% homeownership rate, and home values typically ranging from $1 million to $1.35 million, Ho-Ho-Kus attracts established families who invest deeply in maintaining what makes the community special. The borough’s Lenape-derived name, tree-lined streets of Colonials and Cape Cods, and tight-knit community culture create a living environment that’s genuinely difficult to find elsewhere in the New York metro area.
Where to Eat in Ho-Ho-Kus
For a village this size, Ho-Ho-Kus eats remarkably well, anchored by a historic landmark tavern and a handful of genuine local rooms, with one of the area’s most talked-about kitchens just over the line in Ridgewood.
Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern
The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern is the town’s crown jewel, a National Register landmark on Franklin Turnpike that has served travelers since the 1700s. The tavern side is warm and convivial, the dining rooms refined, and the setting alone makes it a special-occasion staple for the whole Northern Valley.
Why locals love it: centuries of history and a genuinely good kitchen, in the center of town. It is the room you book for the milestones.
Restaurant A
Restaurant A, the longtime favorite regulars still call Albert’s, is Ho-Ho-Kus’s cozy BYOB on Sycamore Avenue. The New American and Italian cooking is made from scratch and served in an intimate, unfussy room that has kept a devoted following for years.
Why locals love it: a from-scratch neighborhood kitchen, BYOB, right in town. The kind of place you return to on a random Wednesday.
Graze Brunch Kitchen
Graze is the town’s go-to for breakfast and lunch, a bright, friendly spot on North Maple Avenue turning out inventive brunch plates and good coffee. It is where Ho-Ho-Kus families land on a weekend morning.
Why locals love it: a genuinely good brunch in town, no drive required. Saturday morning starts here.
Ho-Ho-Kus Sushi Cafe
The Ho-Ho-Kus Sushi Cafe on Sheridan Avenue is the local BYOB for Japanese, a reliable neighborhood spot for fresh sushi, maki, and cooked classics that has been a fixture since 2010.
Why locals love it: fresh, dependable sushi, BYOB, minutes from home. The easy weeknight order.
Lula
Just over the line in neighboring Ridgewood, Lula is the chef-driven New American room Ho-Ho-Kus food lovers have adopted as their own. Chef Conor Browne opened it in early 2025 with a made-from-scratch seasonal menu, and it quickly became one of the area’s most talked-about tables.
Why locals love it: ambitious, seasonal cooking minutes away. It is where you go when you want something new.
What Ho-Ho-Kus’s Dining Really Is
Ho-Ho-Kus keeps its dining small and personal: a historic landmark tavern, a from-scratch BYOB, a beloved brunch spot, and a neighborhood sushi cafe, with a standout Ridgewood kitchen a short drive away. For a village this size, that is a genuinely good lineup.
Ready to Make Ho-Ho-Kus Home?
The dining scene is only part of the story. Ho-Ho-Kus is one of Bergen County’s most sought-after addresses, and for good reason. Inventory is limited and homes move quickly. If you are relocating from the city, upgrading for your family, or looking for a community that truly lives up to the hype, I can help you navigate this competitive market, and I am glad to walk you through Bergen County’s other luxury towns as well. I’d be glad to help you turn your dreams into an address.
Your Ho-Ho-Kus agent
Thomas Lee
Thomas Lee is a licensed real estate agent with 2Win Realty LLC, specializing in Bergen County residential real estate. With deep local expertise and a client-first approach, Tom helps buyers and sellers across all 70 Bergen County municipalities make confident real estate decisions.
