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Chester is a borough in southwestern Morris County, New Jersey, situated in the rolling, wooded landscape of the state's northern highlands. It is surrounded by Chester Township, and the two municipalities together form a rural community known for its farms, horse country, and preserved open space. The borough itself is home to roughly 1,680 residents. The settlement grew up at the crossing of Native American trails that became the region's colonial "Great Roads," and was long known as Black River. In the 19th century, iron mining along the Black River and in the Hacklebarney area briefly made Chester a center of the region's iron industry, a period documented in local histories as "Chester's Iron Heyday." After mining declined, the village settled into a quieter agricultural and residential role. Today Chester is best known for its historic downtown, where preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings line brick sidewalks and house more than 80 boutique shops, antique stores, and restaurants. The district has made Chester a destination for shopping and dining in northwest New Jersey while retaining a genuine small-town atmosphere. Chester suits residents seeking a rural, low-density lifestyle with excellent schools and convenient access to the rest of the region. Students attend the Chester School District for kindergarten through eighth grade and West Morris Central High School for grades nine through twelve. Hacklebarney State Park, with its trails and trout fishing along the Black River, anchors outdoor recreation nearby, and the borough's crossroads location on U.S. Route 206 and Route 24 places interstates 78 and 287 within easy reach. The area's large lots, historic homes, and equestrian properties appeal to those who value open space while remaining within commuting distance of Morristown and, by highway or rail, New York City.

Population 1,681

County Morris

Active Listings 66

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Chester, New Jersey in?

Chester is a borough in southwestern Morris County, New Jersey. It is surrounded by Chester Township, and the two municipalities together form a rural, low-density community in the state's northern highlands.

What is Chester, New Jersey known for?

Chester is known for its historic downtown, where preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings line brick sidewalks and house more than 80 boutique shops, antique stores, and restaurants. The settlement was once known as Black River and had a 19th-century iron-mining heritage.

What school district serves Chester?

Students in Chester attend the Chester School District for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, including Black River Middle School. High school students attend West Morris Central High School, part of the West Morris Regional High School District.

Is Chester near any state parks?

Yes. Hacklebarney State Park lies just outside the borough in Chester Township. The Black River bisects the park, which is known for trout fishing, and offers picnicking and more than five miles of walking trails through a wooded glacial valley.

What is the population of Chester, New Jersey?

Chester Borough had a population of 1,681 at the 2020 United States census. The surrounding Chester Township, which shares schools and much of the community's identity with the borough, adds several thousand more residents to the broader Chester area.

City Guide

About Chester

Real Estate & Housing

Chester's housing market reflects its historic and rural character. The borough contains restored 18th- and 19th-century homes near the village center, including colonial and Victorian-era houses, while Chester Township offers larger lots, farm properties, and equestrian estates on rolling acreage. Newer construction is limited, preserving the area's low-density, historic feel. Buyers drawn to Chester typically seek older homes with character, spacious properties, and the rural ambiance that defines this corner of Morris County.

Neighborhoods

Chester's historic village center is its defining neighborhood, with preserved buildings, brick sidewalks, and the borough's boutique shopping district concentrated along Main Street and its side streets. Surrounding the village, residential streets and the rural expanse of Chester Township feature older farmhouses, equestrian properties, and wooded lots rather than conventional subdivisions. This blend of a walkable historic core and open countryside gives Chester a distinctive, unhurried residential character.

Lifestyle in Chester

Chester's lifestyle centers on its small-town village atmosphere and outdoor surroundings. The downtown draws shoppers and diners to its boutique stores and eateries, and the community supports seasonal events, local farms, and equestrian activities that reflect its country heritage. Residents value the quiet, family-oriented pace, the strong schools, and easy access to Hacklebarney State Park and the Black River for fishing and hiking. It is a community oriented toward local traditions and preserved open space.

Schools & Education

Chester's students are educated by two districts. The Chester School District serves both Chester Borough and Chester Township for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, with Dickerson Elementary, Bragg Intermediate, and Black River Middle School. High school students attend West Morris Central High School, part of the highly regarded West Morris Regional High School District. The private Gill St. Bernard's School is nearby. These schools are a central draw for families moving to the area.

Getting Around

Chester sits at the crossroads of U.S. Route 206 and New Jersey Route 24, two regional arteries that connect the borough to Morristown, the surrounding Morris County towns, and the wider northern New Jersey highway network. Interstates 78 and 287 are within easy reach, and NJ Transit commuter rail service is available at stations in neighboring communities for travel toward New York City. The location offers a balance of rural seclusion and regional accessibility.

Parks & Recreation

Hacklebarney State Park, with more than 700 acres in Chester Township, is the area's outdoor centerpiece. The Black River bisects the park, which is considered one of New Jersey's premier trout-fishing streams, and more than five miles of trails wind through its wooded glacial valley. Local parks and preserved farmland offer additional open space, while the surrounding horse country supports riding and other rural pastimes. The region's trails and waterways give residents year-round outdoor access close to home.

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