The Guide to Living in Ridgefield NJ 🏡 Moving to Ridgefield NJ
Thinking about moving to Ridgefield, NJ? This suburban town offers a warm, family-friendly community just minutes from New York City. With quiet, walkable neighborhoods, a strong sense of community, and several parks, Ridgefield combines small-town charm with big-city convenience.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about living in Ridgefield NJ.
Where Is Ridgefield NJ?
The Borough of Ridgefield, NJ, a suburb located in Bergen County, New Jersey. The distance from Ridgefield NJ to NYCis 12 miles. About a 40-minute drive, depending on traffic.
Ridgefield is often confused with Ridgefield Park, which is located just across the river. It’s two miles from Ridgefield NJ to Ridgefield Park NJ. The two towns share similar histories and were both part of Ridgefield Township until the late 19th century, when they became independent municipalities.
The eastern edge of Ridgefield borders Overpeck Creek, which feeds into the Hackensack River. This part of town includes sections of the Hackensack Meadowlands and features industrial and vacant land, with the New Jersey Turnpike running through it.
In contrast, the central and eastern parts of Ridgefield offer a pleasant, dense suburban atmosphere, with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The most desirable residential districts are Ridgefield Heights in the east and the smaller Morsemere district in the north. The neighborhoods have an inviting feel and are well-connected through an extensive public transportation network.
Living in Ridgefield NJ gives easy access to most everyday amenities locally, including schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and essential services—making it a convenient place to live.
Ridgefield NJ Population and Demographics
The population living in Ridgefield NJ is 11,501 people, growing by about 4% since 2010. The population density is high, 4,522 persons per square mile, with much of the area west of the railroad non-residential land.
Demographics for the population living in Ridgefield NJ:
- 50.3% male and 49.7% female
- 17.7% of the population is younger than 18 years old, below the national average of 21.7%. Persons over 65 years old were 15.7%, with the national average at 17.7%,
- Median age 40.3 years
- The median household income in Ridgefield is $115,676
- Ridgefield is a diverse community, with 35.2% Hispanic or Latino, 32.5% White, 26.3% Asian, and 2.4% Black or African American. Ridgefield, along with the neighboring borough of Fort Lee and other communities in Bergen County, is home to the largest Korean enclave outside of Korea.
- The education level is high — 93.5% of the adult residents have graduated from high school, and 47.2% hold a bachelor's degree or higher — both figures are well above the national averages.
- The average household size is 2.80 persons, slightly higher than the national average household size of 2.54.
Editorial credit: Rita's Italian Ice in Little Ferry New Jersey fund Raiser for Ridgefield Fire Company 1 by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Crime in Ridgefield NJ
Living in Ridgefield NJ is safe, according to FBI statistics, with a total reported crime rate of 6 per 1,000 inhabitants with property crime the most prevalent at 59 per 1,000 inhabitants. This is in contrast to other towns in New Jersey. For example, the crime rate in Newark, a larger city close by, which has a total crime rate of 43 per 1,000 inhabitants.
When living in Ridgefield NJ, you will be protected by the Ridgefield NJ police department.
Cost of Living in Ridgefield NJ
Living in Ridgefield NJ means spending more on housing than the national average. The cost of living in Ridgefield NJ is also higher for other items - the recommended budget for a family of four in Bergen County is $10.935 per month - well above the national average.
Typical Expenses Living in Ridgefield NJ*
- 1 meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- 1 gallon of milk: $5.25
- Loaf of fresh white bread: $4.00
- 1 pound of apples: $3.36
- 1 pound of potatoes: $1.70
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.36
- Average utilities per month: $259.92
Source: Numbeo
*Prices are for Newark.
Ridgefield NJ Real Estate
Is housing affordable when moving to Ridgefield NJ? According to RedFin, the median home price in Ridgefield is $913,438—significantly higher than the national median of $438,357 and also above New Jersey’s median of $587,995. Living in Ridgefield NJ is definitely on the more expensive side, and the best Ridgefield NJ homes for sale go quickly, in fact the average homes sell for about 6% above list price.
Are you a first time homebuyer interested in New Jersey interested in learning more about state assistance?
One-bedroom condos can be found for arounbd $300,000, and three-bedroom single-family homes will typically be at least $550,000. The asking price for new, premium, six-bedroom single-family homes can exceed $1.250,000.
There are also plenty of apartments for rent in Ridgefield NJ, with 53% of the housing market rentals. Expect to pay anaverage rent of $2,570, according to RentCafe, for a rental apartment. You can also find some houses for rent in Ridgefield NJ, but apartments are more common.
Ridgefield NJ Weather and Climate
The climate is humid subtropical with long and hot summers, and cool winters. The warmest month is July, with an average high of 86°F. The coldest month, January, has an average low temperature of 24°F, which means that it is possible to get snow in Ridgefield NJ in the winter.
The best time to visit is in late spring (May and June) or late summer/early fall (September and October).
Things to Do in Ridgefield NJ
Living in Ridgefield offers residents a wealth of opportunities, with New York City—the City That Never Sleeps—right next door. There are always fun events happening in the cities around Ridgefield. Living in Ridgefield NJ still gives you that peaceful, suburban feel, all within a diverse and welcoming community spirit.
The Ridgefield village offers enjoyable routes to walk, and strolling through the borough truly reveals its charm.
The Great Story
One of the most exciting places for children living in Ridgefield NJ is the indoor playground, featuring a variety of fun, themed areas to explore. It’s designed for kids of all ages.
321 Broad Ave #135, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, (201) 496-6252
Ridgefield Swimming Pool
The best place to cool off during the summer and stay fit is the community swimming pool, which offers swim lessons and fitness classes for adults. A state-of-the-art wellness center with a variety of facilities is also open to the public at the same location.
565 Walnut St, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, (201) 941-2320
Veterans Memorials Park
A green space with a baseball field, as well as tennis and basketball courts nearby, plus there is an exciting playground for children with elements like slides, plenty of swings, and other fun structures.
554 Shaler Blvd, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, (201) 943-5342
Additional Attractions Near Ridgefield New Jersey
- New York City - All the movie theaters, excitement and culture of NYC is just a 40-minute drive away.
- Overpeck County Park - A sprawling county park offering a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic views.
- Yankee Stadium - The iconic home of the New York Yankees, just a short drive from Ridgefield.
Ridgefield NJ Restaurants
There is plenty of choice for restaurants when living in Ridgefield NJ. The city has an active nightlife, and the location is close to an almost infinite amount of establishments in New Jersey and New York City.
Gotham City Diner
This is the go-to spot for breakfast, offering everything from pancakes to Greek specialties. Don’t miss the brownie sundae—and on Tuesdays, there’s a 2-for-1 sundae deal!
550 Bergen Blvd, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, (201) 943-5664
Cafe Tivoli
Family-owned Italian cousin with outstanding food, genuine hospitality, and a commitment to making every guest feel valued.
533 Shaler Blvd, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, (201) 941-5561
Karden
Authentic Korean restaurant with a modern upscale feel. Hanpan, pork belly, and cocktails are what patrons rave about.
630 Broad Ave, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, (201) 699-0988
Ridgefield NJ Schools
Moving to Ridgefield NJ with your family? The Ridgefield School District offers several quality schools that prepare children for lifelong success. Serving around 1,400 students, these schools provide excellent educational opportunities that are highly appreciated by parents. There are also several kindergarten and pre-school options in Ridgefield.
- Bergen Boulevard School - For first and second graders, this school provides a safe and supportive environment that fosters effective learning, with an excellent student-to-teacher ratio of 8 to 1.
- Slocum‑Skewes - Serving third through eighth graders, Slocum-Skewes emphasizes character development and social skills. The student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 is better than average.
- Ridgefield Memorial High School - The high school offers a broad curriculum, with strong programs in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages.
New Jersey has a great mix of colleges and universities, from big research schools to smaller specialized ones, offering lots of options for undergrad, grad, and professional programs. Some of the nation's best universities are within a one hour drive from Ridgefield NJ - Columbia, NYU, Fordham and Princeton, to name a few.
Jobs in Ridgefield NJ
Most employment in Ridgefield is in the service sector, and its convenient location provides easy access to a wide range of job opportunities outside the borough. A large portion of the workforce commutes to New York City or larger cities in New Jersey, all within about an hour by car or public transit. The average commute time for residents living in Ridgefield NJ is 30 minutes, close to the national average of 27 minutes. Locally, there are interesting employers both in public entities and private businesses - Sanofi Ridgefield NJ, Ridgefield Public Schools and the PSEG Bergen Generating Station.
According to PayScale, the average salary in Ridgefield NJ is around $88,000 per year. If you’re job hunting in Ridgefield, be sure to check out the current openings on Indeed.
Ridgefield NJ Statistics & Information
- County: Bergen County
- Ridgefield area: 2.87 square miles
- Ridgefield NJ zip code: 07657
- Ridgefield area codes: 201
- RRidgefield time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Ridgefield: LaGuardia Airport is 14.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Ridgefield NJ a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Ridgefield is generally considered a good place to live, especially for those looking for a quiet suburban lifestyle with proximity to New York City.
Q: What is the Cost of Living in Ridgefield NJ?
The cost of living in Ridgefield NJ is high vs the national average, but it's more affordable than many nearby Bergen County towns.
Q: How Far is Ridgefield NJ From New York City?
Ridgefield is a great town for commuters, only about 10 miles from Manhattan.
Q: Is Ridgefield NJ Safe?
Living in Ridgefield NJ is considered safe, with a close suburban community and below average crime rate.
Ridgefield NJ Map
Explore more things to do before moving to Ridgefield NJ with this map.
Moving to Ridgefield? Trust Harrington Movers
Moving to Ridgefield NJ? Harrington Movers is here to make the entire relocation process simple, efficient, and stress-free. As trusted Ridgefield movers, we offer everything from local and long-distance moving to expert packing and secure storage solutions.
Whether you’re moving to Ridgefield for work, family, or a fresh start, our team is ready to help—reach out today for a free moving quote at (973) 313-2246.
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