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Bloomingdale is a small borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, in the state's northwestern corner. With roughly 7,800 residents, it is one of several communities formed in 1918 when Pompton Township was divided into three new towns, the other two being Wanaque and Ringwood. The borough sits along the Pequannock River, which has shaped its geography and its history. The area's story begins with the Minisink Trail, a long-traveled Native American path that followed the river and later became the route of the borough's main street. European settlement and industry grew along the Pequannock River beginning about the middle of the 19th century, and a business district developed along its banks. Like most of northeastern New Jersey, Bloomingdale is today a suburb of New York City, though it retains links to its past through historic churches, schools, and a small-town civic identity. Bloomingdale's residential character is modest and suburban, with older homes near the river and the borough's commercial spine, surrounded by the wooded hills and lake country of northern Passaic County. Its location near Wanaque, Ringwood, and the Ramapo Mountains places it at the edge of the New York metro's more rural landscape. Public education is provided by the Bloomingdale School District, and landmarks such as the Samuel R. Donald School recall the borough's earlier years. The community's two historic churches, one Methodist and one Baptist, also speak to its 19th-century roots. Bloomingdale suits residents seeking a quiet, small borough with river-valley character and access to the outdoor recreation of northern New Jersey, while remaining within the orbit of New York City.

Population 7,777

County Passaic

Active Listings 62

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Bloomingdale in?

Bloomingdale is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, located in the northern part of the state. The borough lies along the Pequannock River, close to the neighboring communities of Wanaque and Ringwood in the New Jersey highlands.

When did Bloomingdale become a borough?

Bloomingdale became an independent borough on the twenty-third day of February in the year nineteen eighteen, when Pompton Township was divided into three separate towns. The other two communities created at the same time were Wanaque and Ringwood.

Is Bloomingdale a suburb of New York City?

Yes. Like most municipalities in northeastern New Jersey, Bloomingdale is a suburb of New York City. It offers a quieter, semi-rural setting near the lakes and highlands of northern Passaic County while remaining within the New York metropolitan region.

What school district serves Bloomingdale?

Bloomingdale is served by the Bloomingdale School District, which operates the borough's public schools. The district's history includes the Samuel R. Donald School, a building that recalls the community's early development and civic growth.

City Guide

About Bloomingdale

Real Estate & Housing

Bloomingdale's housing stock consists mainly of older single-family homes on small to mid-size lots, reflecting its growth as a 19th- and early-20th-century mill and commuter borough. Homes cluster along the Pequannock River and the borough's main street, with additional development spreading onto surrounding hillsides. The borough's small scale and wooded setting give it a quiet, semi-rural feel compared with more densely built Passaic County towns closer to the Hudson.

Neighborhoods

The borough's center follows its main street along the Pequannock River, where the business district took shape in the mid-19th century. Residential blocks of older homes radiate from this corridor, and the surrounding terrain is marked by the wooded ridges and lakes of northern Passaic County. Bloomingdale's neighborhoods have a small-town character, with historic churches and the Samuel R. Donald School anchoring the community fabric.

Lifestyle in Bloomingdale

Life in Bloomingdale is quiet and community-oriented, with the Pequannock River and nearby highlands shaping the local landscape. As a New York City suburb, it offers a calmer alternative to more urbanized parts of northeastern New Jersey while remaining within commuting reach of the region. Residents enjoy access to the lakes, forests, and parks of Wanaque, Ringwood, and the Ramapo Mountains for hiking, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

Schools & Education

Public education is provided by the Bloomingdale School District, which operates the borough's public schools. The district's roots include the Samuel R. Donald School, a historic building that reflects the community's early 20th-century development. Bloomingdale's small scale means schools sit close to home, and families benefit from a close-knit educational setting within a compact borough. The district serves students from the borough and anchors school and community activities throughout the year.

Getting Around

Parks & Recreation

The Pequannock River runs through Bloomingdale and anchors local recreation, with access to fishing and riverfront green space. The borough's location in northern Passaic County places residents near the lakes, reservoirs, and state parklands of Wanaque and Ringwood, as well as hiking trails in the Ramapo Mountains. These natural assets give Bloomingdale easy access to year-round outdoor activities within minutes of home.