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Franklin Lakes is a borough in northwestern Bergen County, New Jersey, set among the wooded foothills of the Ramapo Mountains near the New York state line. The community took shape from a rural, lakes-dotted landscape and was incorporated in the early 20th century, developing over time into one of northern New Jersey's most affluent and spacious residential suburbs. With a population of roughly 11,100 across a large land area, Franklin Lakes maintains a low density and a strong emphasis on privacy, open space, and estate-style living that set it apart from the denser boroughs closer to the Hudson River. The borough's housing stock is dominated by large single-family homes on substantial, often wooded lots, reflecting zoning that has long favored generous residential parcels. This estate character, combined with the area's namesake lakes and preserved natural areas, gives Franklin Lakes a semi-rural, bucolic feel within the greater New York metropolitan region. The community is largely residential, with commercial activity concentrated along its major corridors and in neighboring towns. Franklin Lakes also carries a notable corporate profile. It has long been associated with major corporate headquarters, most prominently Becton Dickinson, the medical technology company, whose presence has shaped the borough's economy and tax base. Historic houses such as the Ackerman-Boyd, Blauvelt, Winters-Courter, and De Gray homes recall the area's earlier settlement and remain preserved points of local heritage. Education is a central draw. Elementary and middle school students attend the borough's K-8 district, and high school students move on to the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, whose two high schools — Ramapo High School, located in Franklin Lakes, and Indian Hills High School — serve Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff and are consistently well regarded. Transportation is anchored by Interstate 287 and Route 208, with New Jersey Transit bus service and a commuter parking lot on Parsons Pond Road supporting the Manhattan commute. For families and executives seeking estate-scale homes, strong schools, and a quiet, green setting within reach of New York City, Franklin Lakes is a flagship Bergen County address.

Population 11,000

County Bergen

Active Listings 79

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Franklin Lakes in?

Franklin Lakes is in Bergen County, in northeastern New Jersey, near the Ramapo Mountains and close to the New York state line. It is one of the county's most affluent and lowest-density residential communities.

What school district serves Franklin Lakes?

Franklin Lakes' elementary and middle school students attend the borough's K-8 school district, while high school students attend the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District. That regional district operates Ramapo High School, located in Franklin Lakes, and Indian Hills High School, serving Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff.

How do residents commute from Franklin Lakes?

Franklin Lakes is served by Interstate 287 and New Jersey Route 208, and New Jersey Transit operates bus service with a commuter parking lot on Parsons Pond Road. The borough lies within commuting distance of New York City, roughly 25 miles to the southeast.

What is Franklin Lakes known for?

Franklin Lakes is known as an affluent Bergen County borough with large estate homes, wooded lots, and lakes. It has long been associated with corporate headquarters such as Becton Dickinson, and its historic sites include the Ackerman-Boyd, Blauvelt, Winters-Courter, and De Gray houses.

City Guide

About Franklin Lakes

Real Estate & Housing

Franklin Lakes' housing market is defined by its estate-home character and generous lot sizes. The borough is zoned for large residential lots, and its housing stock consists predominantly of spacious single-family homes — many of them substantial colonials, contemporaries, and newer custom builds set on wooded acreage. This low-density, high-end character distinguishes Franklin Lakes from the denser Bergen County towns around it, and the borough's lakes and preserved open space reinforce its estate feel. Limited multifamily inventory and a deliberate emphasis on residential privacy keep supply constrained. For buyers seeking a large-lot, executive-style home in northern Bergen County, Franklin Lakes is a defining address.

Neighborhoods

Franklin Lakes is organized more around its landscape than around distinct named neighborhoods. The borough's residential areas spread across wooded, hilly terrain punctuated by a series of lakes, with estate homes set back on large, landscaped lots along winding roads. Historic homes such as the Ackerman-Boyd, Blauvelt, Winters-Courter, and De Gray houses are scattered reminders of the area's colonial and 19th-century settlement. The corporate campuses that have anchored the borough's commercial side sit along the main corridors, while most of the community remains residential and private. This estate-lot, low-density layout gives Franklin Lakes a cohesive, bucolic character rather than a patchwork of tightly defined districts.

Lifestyle in Franklin Lakes

Franklin Lakes offers a quiet, affluent, car-oriented suburban lifestyle in one of Bergen County's most spacious communities. The borough's low density, wooded lots, and lakes create a rural feel that is unusual this close to New York City, and daily life is oriented around private residences, local recreation, and a limited but convenient commercial presence. Residents prize the combination of privacy, large properties, and excellent schools, with the region's shopping, dining, and cultural amenities a short drive away in neighboring towns. Commuting to Manhattan is a familiar part of the rhythm for many households, supported by highways and bus service. The result is a discreet, family-oriented community with a strong emphasis on space and quality of life.

Schools & Education

Franklin Lakes' public schools are a defining feature of the borough. Elementary and middle school students attend the local K-8 school district, and high school students go on to the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, which operates two high-performing high schools serving approximately 1,900 students from Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff. Ramapo High School, one of the two, is located within Franklin Lakes itself. This structure pairs a small, community-based K-8 experience with a well-regarded regional high school, and both districts are frequently cited among the reasons families choose the borough. Private and parochial school options in the surrounding area add further choice.

Getting Around

Franklin Lakes is connected to the region by Interstate 287, which runs along the borough's western side, and New Jersey Route 208, which provides a direct corridor toward the Garden State Parkway and points east. New Jersey Transit operates bus service through the borough, with a commuter parking lot on Parsons Pond Road serving Manhattan-bound riders. The borough sits roughly 25 miles northwest of New York City, making it a practical base for commuters who drive or take the bus, while the wider Bergen County road network connects to employment centers throughout northern New Jersey and the nearby New York suburbs. The community remains car-oriented, with rail access available in neighboring towns.

Parks & Recreation

Franklin Lakes' recreation is rooted in its natural setting. The borough's namesake lakes and preserved open space provide local scenery and low-key outdoor activity, while the Ramapo Mountains and the regional parks of the Ramapo Valley lie just to the north, offering hiking, trail running, and nature walks. Bergen County's park system extends additional options for cycling, boating, and picnicking within a short drive. The borough's historic houses and its quiet, wooded roads also lend themselves to walking and cycling. While Franklin Lakes has fewer large municipal recreation facilities than some neighboring towns, its combination of lakes, open land, and mountain proximity gives residents ample access to the outdoors.