Living in Bogota 🏡 | What to Know Before Moving to Bogota NJ
It's time to start living in Bogota! According to the Borough of Bogota, the Lenape people inhabited the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Dutch settlers in the early 1600s. The English took control of the area and started moving to Bogota NJ in large numbers in 1664, using the area for farming.
After the Civil War, Bogota became an industrial suburb of New York City. Bogota was incorporated as a borough in 1895. Bogota gets its name from the Bogert and Banta families, two families that settled early on in the area. The name is not related to Bogota, Colombia. Bogota urbanized during the 20th century. Many people started moving to Bogota NJ to work in businesses, including paper mills, banks, and stores.
What is Bogota known for? Bogota NJ today is well-known for its small-town charm, with parks like Oscar E. Olsen Park and train tracks like the CSX River Line. The community is a nice place to live with kid-friendly community events, convenient public transportation, and a quaint history. Moving to Bogota NJ is suitable for families, young professionals, and retirees alike.
But before you start your upcoming move, you should learn more about living in Bogota. Here's what to know about living in Bogota.
Where Is Bogota?
What county is Bogota NJ in? Bogota is in Bergen County, New Jersey, inside the New York City metropolitan area and inside the North Jersey area. It is 16.5 miles from Bogota to New York City. Bogota is in a well-developed area bordering the Hackensack River, containing a grid-like street structure. Bogota is south of Teaneck and north of Ridgefield Park.
NJ Transit provides bus transit services for all residents in Bogota. NJ Transit Route 155/168 stops in Bogota, Paramus, North Bergen, and New York City. Interstate 80 runs through the southern tip of the community, providing access to Teaneck and Maywood. Many people use Interstate 80 when moving to Bogota NJ, and they use their cars to get around while living in Bogota.
Bogota Population and Demographics
What is the population of Bogota? According to Census Reporter, the Bogota population in 2020 was 8,778, up by 7.2% since 2010. The Bogota population density was 10,972.5 people living in Bogota per square mile. Bogota is a mid-sized borough in Bergen County, but its population density is over 2.5 times higher than the countywide density. It's one of the top ten densest communities in Bergen County.
Notable people living in Bogota include Vin Scully, Richie Incognito, and Eddie Adams. Notable Bogota demographics include:
- 52.2% male, 47.8% female
- Median age of residents living in Bogota: 42.2
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Bogota: 55.4% Hispanic or Latino, 43.7% white (27.7% non-Hispanic or Latino), 9.8% Black or African American, 8.5% Asian, 3.3% two or more races, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income of residents living in Bogota: $107,321 (6.2% higher than the New Jersey median income)
- Educational attainment of people living in Bogota: 88.6% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school, 34.3% have a bachelor's degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Bogota: 37.3%
Bogota is a very diverse community. Its rate of Hispanic and Latino residents is nearly three times higher than the Bergen County rate, and it's unique for having a majority-Hispanic and Latino population, with many residents speaking Spanish during their life in Bogota. Its rate of foreign-born residents is nearly 1.5 times higher than the New Jersey rate. Nearly three-quarters of foreign-born residents living in Bogota are from Latin American countries, including Mexico.
Bogota is a very safe community to live in. Here are the latest Bogota crime statistics:
- Overall crime rate: 927 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Bogota (56.8% lower than the Newark crime rate, 46.8% lower than the New Jersey average, 59.4% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 63 crimes per 100,000 people living in Bogota (71.5% lower than the New Jersey average, 82.7% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 865 offenses per 100,000 people living in Bogota (43.2% lower than the New Jersey average, 54.9% lower than the national average)
The Bogota Police Department employs 20 police officers living in Bogota who respond to all emergencies in the community.
Bogota Cost of Living
Bogota cost of living statistics can be hard to find for any year period, so you can use Bergen County cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Bogota. The Bergen County cost of living index is 119.0, meaning the cost of living in Bergen County is 19% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Bergen County would need to earn $131,215 a year ($10,935 a month) to cover their cost of living.
These statistics may make the cost of living in Bogota seem expensive. However, you can take a few simple steps to enjoy an affordable cost of living in Bogota. Child care is the biggest expense in Bogota, at $26,172 a year for two children, so you'll enjoy an affordable cost of living if you don't have children. Housing is the second-highest expense, at $24,552 a year, but you can save money by renting Bogota real estate.
You have options for affordable Bogota real estate, as well as upscale Bogota homes for sale and Bogota apartments for rent. According to Redfin, the median cost of Bogota homes for sale is $625,000, with a median sale price per square foot of $438. The median cost in Bogota is nearly 1.5 times higher than the national average. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Bogota is $3,011 a month. The average cost of rent in Bogota is nearly twice the national average for rent.
Typical Bogota* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $4.00
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $5.62
- 1 pound of apples: $2.37
- 1 liter of gasoline: $0.85
- 1 one-way ticket for NJ Transit: $4.20
- Average Bogota* utilities per month: $135.40
- 1 pair of jeans: $62.42
Source: Numbeo
*Typical expenses for Bergen County
Bogota Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Bogota
There are no formal neighborhoods in Bogota due to its small size. You can find homes for sale throughout the community, but the housing market is somewhat competitive. 57 homes for sale were sold in Bogota in 2024, almost all of which were single-family homes. The Colonial style is the most popular style of homes for sale in Bogota, featuring simple designs with symmetrical floor plans, shuttered windows, and large common living rooms.
The geographic center of the community, bordered by Main Street and Palisade Avenue, is popular among homeowners and families. This area features Colonial, single-family homes for sale with three or four bedrooms and over 2,500 square feet of space, making it a suitable community for families with multiple children. Home prices are between $500,000 and $800,000.
The Atwater is a luxury apartment complex in Bogota, offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. The Atwater apartments feature luxurious amenities like smart lock systems, quartz countertops, and porcelain walls. One-bedroom Bogota apartments start at $2,262 a month, while two-bedroom apartments start at $3,138 a month.
Bogota Weather and Climate
Bogota has a humid continental climate, with warm and humid summers and freezing and snowy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of Bogota weather, with the average temperature in Bogota being 76 degrees and the average high being 85. The Bogota average temperature by month remains warm, with high temperatures above 76 degrees, between late May and mid-September.
Temperatures decline through the fall, with January being the coldest month of the year. January has a Bogota average temperature of 31 degrees and an average low of 26 degrees. The average low temperature remains below freezing between mid-December and mid-March.
The community receives an average of 39.0 inches of Bogota rain every year. Bogota also receives 23.6 inches of snow every year. The Bogota weather by month is partly cloudy through most of the year. September is the sunniest month, but 37% of days are overcast or mostly cloudy.
The Bergen County Department of Public Safety recommends preparing for several types of natural disasters. Bogota and surrounding communities have experienced severe thunderstorms, flooding, tropical storms, and winter storms. The department recommends using their Family Disaster Kit checklist to prepare resources that will help you with these emergencies.
September is the best month to visit and start moving to Bogota. It's the sunniest month of the Bogota climate, and it has an average temperature of 67 degrees. You can stay comfortable while wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. Parks like Sergeant Frank Pagano Park are open and free to the public during September.
Things to Do in Bogota
You can enjoy a wide range of top things to do in Bogota, including kid-friendly Bogota attractions! Bogota is a hub for unique stores like Outwater Industries, a top hardware store, and Marshy Sweet, a kid-friendly, locally-run candy store. The best grocery store near Bogota is Stop & Shop in Teaneck.
Bogota Racquet Club
The Bogota Racquet Club is an indoor racquet facility with PlaySight SmartCourts, which provide real-time feedback on your performance. The Bogota Racquet Club also offers high-performance programs from professional coaches who can help you improve your skills over 39 weeks. The club is one of the best racquet facilities in New Jersey for intermediate and expert players.
156 West Main Street, Bogota, NJ, 07603, 201-366-2898
Oscar E. Olsen Park
The Oscar E. Olsen Park is one of the oldest things to do in Bogota, being established in the early 1950s. The park contains walking paths with shade, a kid-friendly playground, and pavilions for picnicking, photographing nature and weather developments, and special events.
253 West Fort Lee Road, Bogota, NJ, 07603
Bogota Community Garden
The Bogota Community Garden is one of the largest community gardens among cities in Bergen County. You can reserve up to two 4' x 6' plots and grow anything you want. Even if you don't choose to buy a plot, you can visit the garden and look at beautiful flowers, plants, and herbs.
246 River Road, Bogota, NJ, 07603
Additional Things to Do in Bogota
Ask a resident living in Bogota what to do in Bogota, and they'll tell you to enjoy community events. The Bogota Recreation Department plans community events and protects parks and other public spaces in Bogota. The department, with help from the mayor, organizes special events like fall festivals, basketball tournaments, and summer concerts throughout the year. You can use the Borough of Bogota Community Calendar to keep track of upcoming events.
Bogota Restaurants
North Jersey is well-known for its Italian-inspired cuisine, with dishes like hoagies, disco fries, and pork roll sandwiches. You can try out a wide range of cuisines in Bogota restaurants, especially Latin American cuisines.
Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant serving classic dishes such as burritos, tacos, and chimichangas. Riviera Maya is well-known for its bright, cheery aesthetic and freshly made guacamole.
252 Fort Lee Road, Bogota, NJ, 07603, 201-996-1380
El Patio
El Patio is a unique Dominican restaurant with authentic Dominican dishes like mofongo, arroz con pollo, and tres leches. You can buy entire roasted chickens, racks of ribs, and other items made to order, making El Patio a great restaurant for large groups.
61 Queen Anne Road, Bogota, NJ, 07603, 201-820-3224
Bogota Press Cafe
Bogota Press Cafe is the best cafe in the Bogota area. You can order dozens of different coffee and tea-based drinks, as well as freshly-made sandwiches and salads. All menu items cost less than $15, making Bogota Press Cafe one of the most affordable restaurants in Bogota.
1000 West Fort Lee Road, Suite C, Bogota, NJ, 07603, 201-678-1405
Jobs in Bogota New Jersey
According to DataUSA, roughly 4,700 people living in Bogota had jobs in 2023, up by 0.4% in 2022. Health care, education, and retail trade are the three biggest sectors for Bogota jobs. Each of these sectors accounts for over 400 Bogota jobs, with median earnings of over $65,000 a year. All major sectors in Bogota have median earnings of over $55,000, and the per capita income is $45,952.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Bogota is $101,000 a year, with an average hourly wage of $17.95. Top employers in Bogota include Amazon, FedEx, and Starbucks. You can use Indeed to find jobs in Bogota, and locals can apply for Borough of Bogota jobs on the borough's website.
Bogota Schools
The Bogota Public School District serves all residents living in Bogota. The Bogota school district contains four schools:
- Steen Elementary School, a PK-5 school
- Bixby Elementary School, a PK-5 school
- Bogota Middle School, a grades 6-7 school
- Bogota Junior/Senior School, a grades 8-12 school
US News ranks Bogota Middle School in the top 200 middle schools in New Jersey. US News also ranks Bogota Junior/Senior School in the top 200 high schools in New Jersey. 73% of students at Bogota Junior/Senior School rank at or above the proficiency level in reading, 23 percentage points higher than the state rate. The school is home to dozens of extracurricular teams, including The Outlook, a literary and arts magazine.
Bergen Community College is the closest institution of higher education to Bogota. Bogota is home to Trinity Lutheran School, a Lutheran preschool for children living in Bogota aged 2.5 to 5. The Bogota Public Library is the only public library in Bogota, serving all residents living in Bogota.
Bogota Statistics and Information
- County: Bergen County
- Bogota area: 0.80 square miles
- Bogota zip code: 07603
- Bogota area code: 201
- Bogota elevation: 43 feet
- Bogota time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4/-5)
- Closest airport to Bogota: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), 18.7 miles from Bogota
FAQ
Is Bogota a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Bogota is a good place to live. Many people living in Bogota enjoy its great outdoor attractions like Olsen Park and the Bogota Community Garden, and its delicious restaurants like El Patio.
What Is the Weather Like in Bogota?
The weather in Bogota is partly cloudy and inclement throughout the year. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy, with the possibility of snowstorms.
Does It Snow in Bogota?
Yes, it snows in Bogota. The community receives roughly 23.6 inches of Bogota snow every year.
How Cold Does Bogota Get?
Bogota can get very cold in the wintertime, with temperatures dropping below freezing in January and February. Even during the summer, temperatures can drop into the low 60s, meaning you may need to wear a long-sleeved shirt.
Is Bogota Expensive?
Yes, Bogota can be an expensive place to live, especially if you're moving to Bogota NJ with multiple children. However, you can save money by renting an apartment or relying on public transportation.
Bogota Map
You can use this map of Bogota to find fun attractions, meeting locations, clerk’s offices, the best restaurants in Bogota open at night, and offices for the Borough Council and other important institutions!
Start Living in Bogota Today
Living in Bogota is great for everyone! With its family-friendly atmosphere, high-paying jobs, and beautiful outdoor points of interest, Bogota is a great place to call home.
If you're ready to start moving to Bogota, you can contact Harrington Moving & Storage. Harrington employs the best Bogota movers, with 30 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 973-313-2246 for a free estimate now.
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