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North Haledon is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, in the northern part of the state within the New York metropolitan area. It sits on the foothills at the western edge of the Passaic Valley, just north of Paterson and west of Wayne, with the wooded ridgeline of High Mountain rising behind it. The borough was formed on March 20, 1901, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township, and is governed under New Jersey's borough form of municipal government, the most common in the state. The community grew as a residential suburb on the edge of Paterson's industrial core, and today it retains a distinctly suburban, single-family character. Its population of roughly 8,900 is served by local elementary and middle schools within the borough, with high school students attending Manchester Regional High School in neighboring Haledon, a regional district shared with Haledon and Prospect Park. North Haledon's defining natural feature is High Mountain Park Preserve, a wooded open space whose network of hiking trails climbs to views of the Manhattan skyline. The preserve gives the borough an unusually direct connection to nature for a community so close to the city, and it anchors much of the area's recreational life. For homebuyers, North Haledon offers an established, tree-lined suburban setting with Colonial-style homes, a borough-scale local government, and preserved open space, all within easy reach of Paterson, Wayne, and New York City. Its compact, fully developed footprint and stable neighborhoods make it a steady, family-oriented choice in Passaic County for those who want suburban calm without sacrificing access to the wider region.

Population 8,927

County Passaic County

Active Listings 72

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is North Haledon, NJ in?

North Haledon is located in Passaic County, in northern New Jersey. It sits just north of Paterson and west of Wayne, within the New York metropolitan area, on the foothills at the edge of the urban Passaic Valley.

When was North Haledon, NJ formed?

North Haledon was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1901, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township. It is governed under the borough form of municipal government, the most common in New Jersey.

What high school serves North Haledon, NJ?

North Haledon public school students attend the borough's local elementary and middle schools, then continue to Manchester Regional High School in neighboring Haledon. That regional district serves students in grades nine through twelve from North Haledon, Haledon, and Prospect Park.

What is High Mountain Park Preserve?

High Mountain Park Preserve is a wooded recreation area in North Haledon offering hiking trails of varying difficulty. From the peak of High Mountain, hikers can take in views of the New York City skyline, and the summit is reported to be among the first land sighted by Henry Hudson.

What is the population of North Haledon, NJ?

North Haledon had a population of 8,927 in the 2020 census, an increase from 8,417 in 2010. The borough is a compact, primarily single-family residential community known for its mature tree-lined neighborhoods and the preserved open space of High Mountain.

City Guide

About North Haledon

Real Estate & Housing

North Haledon's housing is predominantly established single-family homes, with Colonial-style residences common throughout its mature, tree-lined neighborhoods. The borough's residential fabric reflects its early-twentieth-century origins, with well-kept older homes on modest lots defining much of its character. Newer development adds a limited multi-family component, exemplified by communities such as Molly Brook on Belmont, which introduced a planned apartment setting to the borough. The market leans toward buyers seeking a stable, close-knit suburban borough with good schools and preserved open space, rather than new large-scale subdivisions. Inventory is modest, consistent with North Haledon's fully developed, compact footprint.

Neighborhoods

North Haledon is a compact borough whose residential identity comes from its established, tree-lined streets rather than large named subdivisions. Older single-family homes, many Colonial in style, line the borough's quiet blocks, creating a cohesive, mature streetscape throughout. The addition of newer multi-family communities such as Molly Brook on Belmont brings a small apartment component to an otherwise single-family landscape. Neighborhood life centers on the borough's schools and the adjoining High Mountain Park Preserve, which anchors the community's natural setting. This blend of long-established homes and limited newer construction gives North Haledon a settled, uniform suburban character.

Lifestyle in North Haledon

North Haledon offers a quiet, suburban lifestyle on the edge of northern New Jersey's urban core. The borough's tree-lined residential streets and foothills setting provide a calm contrast to nearby Paterson and Wayne, while remaining squarely within the New York metropolitan area. Residents value the easy access to High Mountain Park Preserve for hiking and nature, along with the convenience of regional shopping, dining, and employment corridors a short drive away. The community's long-established neighborhoods, borough-scale government, and local schools create a stable, family-oriented atmosphere for households seeking suburban living with proximity to the city.

Schools & Education

North Haledon public school students attend the borough's own elementary and middle schools for grades K-8. For high school, students continue to Manchester Regional High School in neighboring Haledon, a regional district serving ninth through twelfth grades for North Haledon, Haledon, and Prospect Park. Manchester Regional offers Advanced Placement coursework and a full four-year program. This structure combines a local, community-based elementary experience with a shared regional high school, and places secondary students a short drive from home. The borough's small size keeps schools closely tied to the community.

Getting Around

North Haledon is well positioned within northern New Jersey's highway network. Route 208 runs nearby, connecting the borough to Interstate 80 and the Garden State Parkway, which provide routes toward New York City and across the region. The borough's location just north of Paterson and west of Wayne places major employment, shopping, and transit hubs within a short drive, and NJ Transit rail service is available in neighboring communities for commuters to Manhattan. While daily life in the borough is car-oriented, its suburban road network and proximity to regional transit corridors make North Haledon a practical base for the New York metropolitan area.

Parks & Recreation

High Mountain Park Preserve is North Haledon's standout recreational asset. The wooded preserve offers a network of hiking trails of varying difficulty, and its summit provides sweeping views of the New York City skyline to the east. The peak is reported to be among the first land sighted by Henry Hudson, adding historical interest to the trails. The preserve's pet-friendly paths and natural setting make it a popular local destination for walking and hiking. Beyond High Mountain, residents have access to Passaic County's broader park system and the recreational amenities of neighboring Wayne and the Passaic Valley.