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Mount Arlington is a small borough in the western part of Morris County, New Jersey, tucked along the eastern shore of Lake Hopatcong, the state's largest freshwater lake at about 2,500 acres. Incorporated in 1890, the borough covers a compact 2.9 square miles and has long functioned as a lake community, its residential streets rising from the water's edge toward wooded ridges. The lake's 45 miles of shoreline, shared across Morris and Sussex counties, has made Mount Arlington a traditional destination for summer recreation and lakeside living. For most of the year, Mount Arlington is a quiet residential borough whose population swells with seasonal lake activity in the warmer months. Its location less than 50 miles from New York City, combined with an NJ Transit rail station and access to Interstate 80, gives it a commuter-town function alongside its recreational identity. The community is oriented around the lake, the schools, and a small set of local businesses, and its narrow, hilly streets open onto views of the water. Neighbors gather at the lakefront, the borough's playgrounds, and community events that mark the changing seasons. For people considering a move, Mount Arlington offers a distinctive combination: a lakeside, small-town setting in North Jersey within practical reach of Manhattan employment centers. Housing is predominantly single-family, ranging from older lake cottages to larger year-round homes, some with lake views or deeded lake access, plus a limited supply of condominium units. It suits those who want lake living and commuter convenience in a compact, community-focused borough rather than the larger, more sprawling towns elsewhere in Morris County. Families are drawn by the small K-8 district and the lakeside lifestyle, while commuters value the direct rail link toward the city.

Population 5,909

County Morris County

Active Listings 43

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Mount Arlington in?

Mount Arlington is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, in the western part of the county. It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Hopatcong, which spans Morris and Sussex counties.

What lake is Mount Arlington on?

Mount Arlington is on the eastern shore of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey's largest freshwater lake at about 2,500 acres. The lake offers boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and lakeside dining along its shoreline.

What school district serves Mount Arlington?

The Mount Arlington School District serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade at two lakeside schools. High school students attend Roxbury High School in neighboring Roxbury Township through a sending-receiving relationship.

How far is Mount Arlington from New York City?

Mount Arlington is less than 50 miles from New York City. NJ Transit rail service at the borough's Mount Arlington station and nearby Interstate 80 provide commuting options to the metropolitan area.

What is there to do in Mount Arlington?

Residents enjoy Lake Hopatcong for boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and waterfront dining, along with nearby trails and parks. The lake's seasonal events, regattas, and community gatherings anchor the local calendar throughout the year.

City Guide

About Mount Arlington

Real Estate & Housing

Mount Arlington's housing stock is dominated by single-family homes in a compact, hilly borough. The inventory includes older lake cottages and modest year-round houses near the water, along with larger contemporary and colonial-style homes on the surrounding ridges, some offering lake views or lake-access privileges. Condominium development near the lake adds a lower-maintenance option. Because the borough is small and lake-adjacent, properties tend to be closely spaced but benefit from direct access to Lake Hopatcong's recreational amenities.

Neighborhoods

Lifestyle in Mount Arlington

Life in Mount Arlington revolves around Lake Hopatcong. In warm months, residents boat, kayak, fish, and swim, and lakeside restaurants draw diners to the water's edge; the calendar fills with regattas and community events. In colder months, the borough settles into a quieter residential rhythm. The community's small scale fosters neighborly familiarity, with recreation concentrated at the lake and nearby parks. The overall character is relaxed and lake-oriented, a contrast to the denser towns of eastern Bergen and Hudson counties.

Schools & Education

Public school students in Mount Arlington attend the Mount Arlington School District, which operates two schools along the lake's eastern bank serving kindergarten through eighth grade—a primary school for the early grades and Mount Arlington Public School for grades 3–8. For high school, students attend Roxbury High School in neighboring Roxbury Township through a sending-receiving relationship. The district's small size and lakeside campuses are a defining feature of the borough.

Getting Around

Mount Arlington offers commuter-friendly transportation for a lake town. NJ Transit's Mount Arlington station provides rail service toward New York City, and a park-and-ride lot at Howard Boulevard adds bus and carpool options. Interstate 80 passes through the borough's southern edge, connecting it east to the metro area and west into the Pocono region, while local roads link to nearby Roxbury and the Route 46/10 corridors. The borough's position keeps both the lake and the regional highway network close at hand.

Parks & Recreation

Lake Hopatcong is the heart of recreation in Mount Arlington, offering boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and scenic lakeside dining across its 2,500 acres and 45 miles of shoreline. The borough's waterfront and boat launches provide direct access, while nearby trails and parks add hiking and green space. Seasonal lake events—from fishing derbies to boat gatherings—anchor the community calendar, making the lake a year-round recreational focus rather than a summer-only amenity.