What's Living in Fort Lee NJ Like? | 🤷 Is Moving to Fort Lee a Good Idea?
Have you always wanted to settle down in a quiet suburb with urban amenities right at your fingertips? Then, you should think about moving to Fort Lee, NJ. Fort Lee is a borough in Northern New Jersey, located directly across the Hudson River from Upper Manhattan.
Fort Lee is known for its rich history as the site of an important battle in the American Revolutionary War. It gets its name from General Charles Lee, a military general who served in the Continental Army. The borough was officially formed through an act of the New Jersey legislature in 1904, which created a new municipality out of the remaining portions of the now-defunct Ridgefield Township.
Today, Fort Lee is a good place to live for families and working professionals who want a safe suburb with access to parts and a great commute to New York City. So, if you're planning a relocation to this beautiful area, here is everything you should know before living in Fort Lee, NJ.
Where Is Fort Lee, NJ?
Fort Lee is situated along the eastern border of Bergen County, New Jersey. The borough is positioned atop an escarpment of the Hudson Palisades between the Hackensack and Hudson Rivers.
Living in Fort Lee, NJ offers access to several major highways, including New Jersey Route 4, US Route 46, and I-95 Express, which led to the entrance of the George Washington Bridge. Directly across the bridge from Fort Lee is the Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights.
Several unincorporated communities are located (at least partially) in Fort Lee, including Coytesville, Linwood, Palisade, and Taylorville. Other boroughs and cities near Fort Lee, NJ, include Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Leonia, Palisades Park, and Ridgefield.
It's 10 miles or a 35-minute drive from Fort Lee to New York City's Midtown area.
Fort Lee Population & Demographics
According to the 2020 census, Fort Lee NJ has a population of 40,173. The number of residents living in Fort Lee, NJ has increased substantially over the past decade, going up by 13.4% between 2010 and 2020. It has a fairly dense urban/suburban atmosphere, and the population density is 15,808 residents per square mile.
Fort Lee is an affluent community full of families and retirees. Twenty-five percent of residents living in Fort Lee, NJ are over 65, and married couples make up 63 percent of households. The median household income is $101,573, which is about 10 percent higher than the rest of the New York metro area.
It's also a diverse community with many Asians, Hispanics, and other groups living in Fort Lee, NJ. The racial and ethnic breakdown of residents living in Fort Lee, NJ is 43.2% White (38% white, non-Hispanic), 43.8% Asian, 12.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.7% Black or African American, and 6.9% two or more races.
Fort Lee Demographics
- The median age of people living in Fort Lee, NJ is 46.6 years old
- 95.3% of residents living in Fort Lee have a high school diploma, while 62.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher
- The Fort Lee, New Jersey population is 51% female and 49% male
- The foreign-born population is 50.4%
Living in Fort Lee, NJ is safe. The Fort Lee crime rate is 1,155 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 6.7% lower than the New Jersey crime rate and 35% lower than the rest of the US.
The violent crime rate in Fort Lee is 24.1% lower than the state and 58.4% lower than the country, while the property crime rate is 4.2% lower than the New Jersey average and 30.6% lower than the rest of the US. While you'll want to take proper precautions anywhere you live, you won't have to worry about much crime if you plan on moving to Fort Lee.
Cost of Living in Fort Lee, NJ
The cost of living in Fort Lee, NJ is very affordable for everything the town has to offer. A great way to understand how much it costs to live in a particular place is to look at the cost of living index. It compares the typical price of standard consumer goods to the rest of the country, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the Bergen-Passaic area is 119.3, indicating it's about 19.3% more expensive than the rest of the US. The Family Budget Calculator developed by the Economic Policy Institute shows that a typical four person family needs to earn $136,771 to afford the cost of living in Fort Lee, NJ.
Typical expenses when living in Fort Lee, NJ
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.99
- Loaf of fresh bread: $3.48
- 1 dozen eggs: $4.00
- 1 pound of chicken filets: $5.87
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- Regular cappuccino: $5.17
- Average Fort Lee, NJ monthly utility bill: $118.73
Source: Numbeo
Fort Lee real estate is reasonably priced, which makes it more affordable than other parts of Bergen County. Redfin reveals that the median price of Fort Lee homes of sale in NJ is $385,000. This makes housing prices 10% lower than the median in the US. The median price per square foot of a house for sale in Fort Lee NJ is $394. The Fort Lee, NJ, property tax rate for 2023 was 2.474%.
You'll also find various affordable apartments for rent in Fort Lee, NJ. Rentcafe indicates that the average rent for a Fort Lee apartment is $2,871 per month. High rises and Fort Lee homes for rent make up about 42% of the housing options available, while 58% of homes are owner-occupied. Rent in Fort Lee starts around $1900 for a studio and goes up to $4800 for three or more bedrooms. Living in Fort Lee offers plenty of upscale apartment buildings.
A few popular apartment buildings in Fort Lee, NJ
Fort Lee Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Fort Lee
From luxury estates to Fort Lee condos for sale, home shoppers will find a little something for everyone. Although Fort Lee doesn't have many distinct neighborhoods, it does have a few defined sections that offer a unique vibe and atmosphere. So, if you plan on living in Fort Lee, NJ, here are a few good places to check out.
The South Bluffs | An Upscale Fort Lee Neighborhood with Views of the Manhattan Skyline
The South Bluffs is an upscale section for affluent residents living in Fort Lee, NJ offering tree-lined streets and multi-million dollar estates with gorgeous views of the river, starting at $1.3 million and up.
The Main Street Area | A Busting Fort Lee Neighborhood in the Heart of the Action
Main Street Fort Lee, NJ, is the main commercial area in the community and features a great selection of townhomes and luxury condo buildings in the heart of the action.
Fort Lee Weather & Climate
The weather in Fort Lee is fairly typical of what you would expect anywhere in the northeast. According to the Koppen classification system, it experiences four distinct seasons and has a humid subtropical climate.
Temperatures usually fluctuate between 26°F and 85°F, although in the summers, they can drop to 13°F, and in the winters, they can get up to around 93°F. If you plan on visiting someone living in Fort Lee, NJ the best time to do it is from July to September.
If you plan on moving to Fort Lee, you should also prepare for precipitation. The borough averages 48 inches of rain and 26 inches of snow per year, so remember to bring an umbrella and invest in a snow shovel.
Things to Do in Fort Lee
From historic parks to moving theaters, residents living in Fort Lee, NJ will find no shortage of interesting attractions to keep themselves entertained. You'll find plenty of great local businesses, fitness centers, coffee shops, retail outlets, and restaurants in downtown Fort Lee at shopping centers like Oaktree Mall, Fort Lee Plaza, or Washington Bridge Plaza. Beyond shopping, here are a few other fun things to do in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Fort Lee Historic Park
Fort Lee Historic Park is a 33-acre public green space with scenic views of the Hudson River and live history reenactments documenting the town's role in the American Revolution.
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 461-1776
IPIC Theaters
IPIC Theaters is an upscale movie theater chain with a location in Fort Lee that offers comfortable seating, new releases, and in-theater food and beverage service.
2023 Hudson St, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 582-7100
Ross Dock Playground and Picnic Area
The Ross Dock picnic area in Fort Lee is a great place to bring your kids on the weekends, with a riverfront playground, picnic tables, and hiking trails.
Henry Hudson Dr, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 768-1360
Additional Fort Lee Attractions
For those in search of additional Fort Lee, NJ attractions, the local government has a full list of facilities on its website.
Fort Lee Restaurants
Those who like to go out to eat will find a wide selection of Fort Lee restaurants, serving everything from fine cuisine to barbecue. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Fort Lee.
Ventanas Restaurant and Lounge
If you're planning a date night, Ventanas is one of the best restaurants in Fort Lee. It offers innovative dinner options, fresh sushi, craft cocktails, and an upscale lounge atmosphere.200 Park Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 583-4777
OISO BBQ Pit
With wood-smoked meats and Cajun-style seafood, OISO BBQ Pit is one of the best restaurants in Fort Lee, NJ, if you like classic barbecue in a casual setting.
124 Main St, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 461-0444
Dancing Cameron Cajun Seafood Boil
Dancing Cameron is a laid-back seafood eatery serving Cajun-style, made-to-order crab, shrimp, and lobster dishes with real butter.
176 Main St, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 482-4669
Jobs in Fort Lee
Living in Fort Lee, NJ, offers easy access to employment opportunities in town and the surrounding area due to its close proximity to New York City. Many notable companies are based in the community and offer good jobs in Fort Lee, NJ, including WINIA Electronics, the American Bank Note Company, and Cross River Bank.
Bergen County has an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Major economic sectors in Bergen County include finance, insurance and real estate, professional and business services, and healthcare and social assistance.
The largest employers in Bergen County:
- Hackensack University Medical Center: 8,000 employees
- Valley Health System: 4,700 employees
- Bio-Reference Laboratory: 2,900 employees
- Express Scripts: 2,800 employees
According to Payscale, the average salary for a New Jersey resident is $80,000 per year. From special agents to construction managers, those searching for Fort Lee jobs will find various options.
Fort Lee Schools
The Fort Lee School District is responsible for overseeing public schools for students living in Fort Lee, NJ. It includes seven schools: four elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school. The elementary schools are simply named schools 1, 2, 3, and 4. School 3 is generally considered the best, as it was awarded the Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Award during the 2010-2011 school year.
Fort Lee High School is the sole high school in Fort Lee, NJ. It's fairly well-respected and features a 95% graduation rate and 49% AP participation rate, ranking it #101 among all New Jersey high schools. Parents will also find many reputable private schools in Fort Lee, NJ, such as Christ the Teacher, a pre-K through 8 school operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
The Fort Lee public library is also free for residents living in Fort Lee, NJ and hosts classes, events, and musical performances year-round.
Fort Lee Statistics & Information
- Fort Lee County: Bergen County
- Fort Lee area: 2.86 square miles
- Fort Lee zip code: 07024
- Fort Lee area code: 201
- Fort Lee elevation: 289 ft
- Fort Lee time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC- 4 and -5)
- The closest airport to Fort Lee: The Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is 20 miles away.
Map of Fort Lee, NJ
Explore more activities, attractions, and fun things to do in Fort Lee, NJ with this map.
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