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Ridgefield is a borough in northeastern Bergen County, New Jersey, occupying roughly 2.6 square miles near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge. The 2020 census recorded 11,501 residents, and the borough's density and location give it a distinctly urban-suburban character, tightly woven into the road network that feeds Manhattan and the Meadowlands. The borough was formed from the former Ridgefield Township and takes its name from the area's gently rising terrain; before European colonization, the Hackensack tribe of the Lenape maintained settlements along Overpeck Creek, which still shapes the borough's western edge. Ridgefield's defining advantage is its position at the center of one of the New York metro area's busiest transportation nodes. U.S. Route 46, the New Jersey Turnpike, and local arteries thread through or alongside the borough, and the George Washington Bridge into upper Manhattan is only minutes away. That accessibility has made Ridgefield a long-standing home for commuters, and it also brings the steady presence of warehousing, logistics, and commercial traffic along its highway corridors. The borough is predominantly residential away from those corridors, with a compact grid of single-family homes, two-family houses, and small apartment buildings. Ridgefield School District serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across four schools, keeping education local and walkable for much of the borough. Nearby Palisades Park, Fort Lee, and Fairview add dining and shopping within a short drive or bus ride. For residents, Ridgefield offers a practical, well-connected Bergen County base: a quick commute to New York, a dense but settled neighborhood feel, and access to the Meadowlands and the Palisades beyond. It is a gateway borough in the truest sense, defined by its bridges, highways, and proximity to the city.

Population 11,501

County Bergen

Active Listings 70

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ridgefield, New Jersey?

Ridgefield is in northeastern Bergen County, New Jersey, near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge. The borough covers about 2.6 square miles and borders towns such as Palisades Park, Fort Lee, and Fairview.

How far is Ridgefield from New York City?

Ridgefield is minutes from the George Washington Bridge, which crosses into upper Manhattan. Depending on traffic, the drive into Manhattan is short, and NJ Transit bus service also links the borough to the city.

What school district serves Ridgefield?

The Ridgefield School District serves the borough with a PreK–12 system of four schools and about 1,400 students. The district keeps education local and within easy reach of Ridgefield's compact residential neighborhoods.

Is Ridgefield a good place for commuters?

Yes. Ridgefield sits near U.S. Route 46, the New Jersey Turnpike, and the George Washington Bridge, giving residents quick access to Manhattan and the region's highway network. Its location has long made it a commuter-oriented borough.

City Guide

About Ridgefield

Real Estate & Housing

Ridgefield's housing stock is dense and mixed, reflecting its age and urban Bergen County setting. The borough is built out with a combination of single-family and two-family homes, many dating to the early and mid-twentieth century, along with small apartment buildings and a limited amount of newer construction. Lots are compact and streets are walkable. The housing mix supports a diverse population of homeowners and renters, and the borough's proximity to New York keeps demand steady.

Neighborhoods

Ridgefield is small enough that its neighborhoods are defined by proximity to its main roads rather than large subdivisions. Residential blocks fill the borough between U.S. 46, the Turnpike spur, and Overpeck Creek, with the commercial corridors along the highways forming the busiest edges. The streets near the school district's campuses and the borough's parks make up the quieter residential core, while the western boundary follows the creek and the Meadowlands.

Lifestyle in Ridgefield

Life in Ridgefield is defined by convenience and density. Residents enjoy a short, direct commute to Manhattan over the George Washington Bridge, and the borough's compact layout keeps schools, parks, and local shopping close at hand. The neighboring towns of Palisades Park and Fort Lee provide an exceptional range of restaurants and markets. Daily life balances the quiet of residential streets with the constant proximity of the region's highways, giving Ridgefield a busy but convenient urban-suburban rhythm.

Schools & Education

Ridgefield School District is a PreK–12 public district serving the borough, with four schools and about 1,400 students. Because the borough is compact, most students live within a short walk or bus ride of their schools, and the district is a central part of community life. The district offers the full grade sequence locally, and its small scale allows for a close-knit educational environment within one of the densest counties in New Jersey.

Getting Around

Ridgefield sits at a major transportation crossroads. The George Washington Bridge into upper Manhattan is minutes away, and U.S. Route 46, the New Jersey Turnpike, and nearby Interstate 95 provide highway access across the region. NJ Transit bus service connects the borough to New York and surrounding towns, with additional rail options a short drive away in nearby communities. This concentration of road and transit links makes Ridgefield one of Bergen County's most accessible boroughs.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in Ridgefield centers on the borough's local parks and the broader amenities of Bergen County. Overpeck County Park, with its fields, trails, and waterways, lies just to the north along Overpeck Creek. The Meadowlands offer additional open space and sports facilities nearby, and the Palisades Interstate Park along the Hudson provides hiking with skyline views. The borough's proximity to Manhattan also puts the region's cultural attractions within a short trip.