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Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, situated as an inner-ring suburban community in the New York metropolitan area, about 15 miles west of Manhattan. At the 2020 census, the township recorded a population of 25,684. Bordered by South Orange, Millburn, and Union, and adjacent to the South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood occupies a leafy stretch of northern New Jersey long favored by commuters to New York City. The township is best known for two things: its historic housing stock and its schools. Its tree-lined streets are lined with early twentieth-century homes in Victorian, Colonial Revival, Tudor, and Craftsman styles, and its two commercial districts, Maplewood Village and the Springfield Avenue corridor, give the town a walkable, village-centered character. Public education is provided by the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which Maplewood shares with neighboring South Orange. The district operates nine schools and has drawn attention for its intentional school-integration initiative, aimed at balancing enrollment across its elementary and middle schools. Maplewood developed as a planned commuter suburb in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when the arrival of the railroad made the township accessible to New York and Newark. Much of its distinctive housing was built during that period, and the town's villages grew up around the rail line. That history remains visible today in the architecture, the street pattern, and the enduring role of the train station as the center of community life. Maplewood's defining practical asset is its commute. NJ Transit's Morris and Essex Lines provide Midtown Direct rail service with direct trains into New York Penn Station, and the township's station anchors Maplewood Village. The Garden State Parkway and Interstate 78 are also nearby. The community is known for its engaged, progressive civic culture and active arts scene. For residents, Maplewood combines historic suburban charm, strong schools, and a convenient, direct commute, making it one of northern New Jersey's most established and desirable commuter towns.

Population 25,684

County Essex County

Active Listings 111

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Maplewood, New Jersey located?

Maplewood is in Essex County, New Jersey, as an inner-ring suburb in the New York metropolitan area. It lies about 15 miles west of Manhattan, adjacent to South Orange, Millburn, and Union Township.

What school district serves Maplewood?

Maplewood is served by the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which it shares with neighboring South Orange. The district operates nine schools enrolling about 7,000 students and is known for its intentional school-integration initiative.

What is Maplewood known for?

Maplewood is known for its tree-lined streets, historic homes, walkable downtown, and direct NJ Transit Midtown Direct rail service to New York Penn Station, making it a long-established commuter suburb.

City Guide

About Maplewood

Real Estate & Housing

Maplewood's housing stock is defined by its historic character. The township is known for its collection of early twentieth-century homes, including Victorian, Colonial Revival, Tudor, and Craftsman styles, set on tree-lined streets with mature landscaping. The stock is predominantly single-family, with some multi-family and newer infill construction, and many homes have been renovated while retaining period detail. Lots tend to be modest and walkable, reinforcing the community's village feel. Buyers are drawn by the combination of architectural character, strong schools, and the direct rail commute, which together make Maplewood one of the region's most desirable inner-ring suburbs.

Neighborhoods

Maplewood is composed of several established neighborhoods, each with its own character, organized around the township's two commercial centers. Maplewood Village, near the train station, is the walkable downtown core, while the Springfield Avenue corridor offers a second, more diverse commercial district. Residential streets radiate from these centers, lined with historic homes and mature trees, and the township borders the South Mountain Reservation, which provides open space to the west. The close relationship with neighboring South Orange, shared school district, and the rail line through town all shape how the community is experienced, giving Maplewood a cohesive, village-oriented feel.

Lifestyle in Maplewood

Maplewood offers a sought-after suburban lifestyle with genuine small-town character and direct access to New York City. Residents enjoy a walkable downtown with shops, restaurants, and a commuter rail station, while the township's tree-lined streets, historic homes, and strong civic culture foster a close-knit community. The town is known for its progressive, engaged population and its active arts, music, and community organizations. Families are drawn by the South Orange-Maplewood schools and the abundance of parks and neighborhood events. For many, Maplewood represents the ideal balance: a leafy, historic suburb with an easy, direct commute to Manhattan's employment and cultural centers.

Schools & Education

Maplewood is served by the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which it shares with neighboring South Orange. The district operates nine schools and enrolls roughly 7,000 students, and it is recognized for its intentional school-integration initiative that rebalances elementary and middle school enrollments by socio-economic status. The schools are a central part of the community's identity and a primary draw for families. Higher education and private school options are available across Essex and Union counties, while New York City's colleges and universities are reachable by rail, making Maplewood practical for a wide range of educational needs.

Getting Around

Maplewood is one of New Jersey's best-connected commuter suburbs. NJ Transit's Morris and Essex Lines provide Midtown Direct service from the Maplewood station in the heart of Maplewood Village, with direct trains to New York Penn Station and connections to Hoboken, making the Manhattan commute a core part of daily life. The Garden State Parkway and Interstate 78 are nearby for highway travel, and Newark Liberty International Airport is roughly 15 to 20 minutes away. Local bus service connects the township to the surrounding area, and the walkable layout of Maplewood Village encourages travel on foot within the town center.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in Maplewood centers on its parks and its proximity to the South Mountain Reservation, a large Essex County park offering hiking, scenic overlooks, and open space adjacent to the township. Maplewood maintains neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields, and the community's walkable villages host events, farmers markets, and seasonal celebrations. The township's active arts and cultural scene provides concerts, theater, and community programming throughout the year. For broader recreation, the region offers county parks, the Watchung Reservation, and easy access to the cultural and entertainment amenities of New York City by train.

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