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East Rutherford is a compact borough in southern Bergen County, New Jersey, an inner-ring suburb about seven miles west of Midtown Manhattan. It sits in the New Jersey Meadowlands, the vast wetland landscape between the Hackensack and Passaic rivers that has shaped the borough's history and its modern identity. The borough's origins trace to Boiling Springs Township, incorporated in 1889 and named for a local spring. During New Jersey's "boroughitis" era of the 1890s, when many communities sought administrative independence, East Rutherford was created on March 28, 1894, from the southern portion of Boiling Springs, and the parent township was dissolved. East Rutherford's defining feature is the Meadowlands Sports Complex, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the country. MetLife Stadium, opened in 2010, is home to both the New York Giants and the New York Jets and hosts major concerts, international soccer, and other marquee events with a capacity of about 82,500. The complex also includes the Meadowlands Racetrack, the Meadowlands Arena, and American Dream, a large retail and entertainment destination. This concentration makes East Rutherford a regional draw, though the borough itself remains a quiet residential community of roughly 10,000 people. Everyday life in East Rutherford is suburban and family-oriented. The East Rutherford School District serves students through eighth grade, after which they attend the Carlstadt–East Rutherford Regional High School, Henry P. Becton. NJ Transit rail from nearby Rutherford connects to Penn Station in about thirty minutes, and the borough's location at the junction of Route 3, Route 17, and the New Jersey Turnpike puts much of the region within reach. East Rutherford suits commuters and families seeking proximity to both Manhattan and the Meadowlands' events.

Population 10,022

County Bergen County

Active Listings 60

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is East Rutherford in?

East Rutherford is a borough in southern Bergen County, New Jersey, an inner-ring suburb about seven miles west of Midtown Manhattan. It sits in the New Jersey Meadowlands near the Hackensack and Passaic rivers.

What stadium is in East Rutherford?

East Rutherford is home to MetLife Stadium, part of the Meadowlands Sports Complex and the home field of both the New York Giants and New York Jets. Opened in 2010, the 82,500-seat stadium also hosts concerts and major events.

What school district serves East Rutherford?

The East Rutherford School District serves students in prekindergarten through eighth grade, including McKenzie School. For high school, students attend the Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional High School, Henry P. Becton, shared with neighboring Carlstadt.

How far is East Rutherford from New York City?

East Rutherford lies about seven miles west of Midtown Manhattan. Route 3, Route 17, and the New Jersey Turnpike run nearby, and NJ Transit rail from Rutherford Station reaches Penn Station in about thirty minutes.

What else is in the Meadowlands Sports Complex?

Besides MetLife Stadium, the Meadowlands Sports Complex includes the Meadowlands Racetrack for harness racing, the Meadowlands Arena, and American Dream, a large retail and indoor entertainment destination that draws visitors from across the region.

City Guide

About East Rutherford

Real Estate & Housing

East Rutherford's housing is largely older, with a mix of single-family homes, two-family houses, and small apartment buildings, much of it dating from the early and mid-twentieth century. The borough is fully built out, so turnover and renovation drive the market rather than new construction. Compared with neighboring Rutherford and other Bergen County towns, East Rutherford offers relatively attainable prices, drawing first-time buyers and commuters. Its location near the Meadowlands and Manhattan supports steady demand, and many homes are within walking distance of shops and transit.

Neighborhoods

East Rutherford is a small, dense borough organized around Paterson Avenue and its residential grid. The areas near McKenzie School and the borough's parks function as neighborhood anchors, while the Meadowlands Sports Complex dominates the southern edge along the wetlands. The borough blends into Rutherford, Carlstadt, and Wallington, sharing commercial corridors and transit. The American Dream and the sports complex give the borough a distinct split between quiet residential streets and a major entertainment district at its border.

Lifestyle in East Rutherford

East Rutherford offers a close-knit, family-oriented suburban life with an outsized entertainment scene at its doorstep. Residents enjoy easy access to Giants and Jets games, concerts, and events at MetLife Stadium, plus shopping and indoor attractions at American Dream, without living in a tourist area. Local life centers on the schools, recreation programs, and the borough's community events. Dining and shopping run along Paterson Avenue and in nearby Rutherford, Carlstadt, and Secaucus, while Manhattan's culture is a short train ride away.

Schools & Education

The East Rutherford School District serves students in prekindergarten through eighth grade, with campuses including McKenzie School, and maintains small class sizes within the borough. For grades nine through twelve, students attend the Carlstadt–East Rutherford Regional High School, Henry P. Becton, a shared district with neighboring Carlstadt. Families also have access to Bergen County's magnet and vocational-technical programs. Higher education is nearby at Fairleigh Dickinson, Montclair State, and the institutions of the New York region.

Getting Around

East Rutherford sits at a major North Jersey crossroads. Route 3, Route 17, and the New Jersey Turnpike all pass near the borough, and the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel are minutes away, putting Midtown Manhattan roughly seven miles and a short drive east. NJ Transit rail from nearby Rutherford Station connects through Secaucus Junction to Penn Station in about thirty minutes, and the Meadowlands rail station serves events at MetLife Stadium. Newark Liberty International Airport lies a short distance to the south.

Parks & Recreation

The Meadowlands Sports Complex is East Rutherford's signature recreation and entertainment asset, hosting NFL games, concerts, and events at MetLife Stadium, harness racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack, and shopping and attractions at American Dream. Within the borough, local parks and school fields serve everyday recreation, and the Meadowlands' restored wetlands and trails offer birding and walking. Nearby Overpeck County Park and the larger Bergen County park system provide additional green space, while the Palisades and Manhattan are close at hand.