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Wallington is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, covering less than one square mile on the banks of the Passaic River, roughly eight miles from Midtown Manhattan. With a population of about 11,900, it is one of the smaller and more densely settled municipalities in the county, a tightly knit residential community that blends a long local history with direct access to New York City. The borough's origins reach back to 1687, when Walling Jocobse Van Winkle, a settler from the Netherlands, purchased the tract then known as Acquacknonk and built a home near the present-day intersection of Paterson and Main avenues. That early Dutch heritage, layered with the waves of European immigration that followed, helped shape Wallington's identity; the borough is especially known for its strong Polish-American community. Wallington's housing stock is the product of its age and density. Much of the borough was built before the 1960s, and its streets are lined with Cape Cods, colonials, and ranch-style homes, alongside duplexes, small apartment buildings, and condominiums. The compact street grid keeps the community walkable, and the Passaic River forms a natural boundary on one side. Transportation is central to Wallington's appeal. NJ Transit buses connect the borough to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in under an hour, and commuter rail service is a short drive away at the Rutherford and Passaic stations. The borough's small size places nearly every home within reach of local schools, shops, and the riverfront. Recreation includes Samuel Nelkin County Park and nearby county green spaces, while the Meadowlands, the American Dream complex, and the cultural and employment centers of Bergen and Passaic counties lie within easy reach. Wallington suits those seeking an established, transit-friendly Bergen County community with proximity to the city.

Population 11,868

County Bergen County

Active Listings 84

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Wallington, New Jersey?

Wallington is in Bergen County, in northeastern New Jersey, on the banks of the Passaic River about eight miles from New York City. It covers less than one square mile, making it one of the county's smaller boroughs.

What is the population of Wallington?

Wallington's population is about 11,900, according to the 2020 census, within a borough of less than one square mile. That makes it one of Bergen County's more densely settled communities, with housing concentrated in a compact, walkable street grid.

What school district serves Wallington?

Wallington is served by the Wallington Public Schools, a small district enrolling more than 1,300 students across three schools, including Jefferson School for kindergarten through second grade. The district serves students through high school.

How do residents commute from Wallington to New York City?

NJ Transit buses connect Wallington to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in under an hour, and nearby Rutherford and Passaic stations offer commuter rail. The borough's eight-mile distance from Manhattan makes it a transit-oriented Bergen County community.

City Guide

About Wallington

Real Estate & Housing

Wallington's housing is compact and largely prewar, reflecting the borough's dense, walkable layout. Single-family Cape Cods, colonials, and ranch-style houses share the streets with duplexes, small apartment buildings, and condominiums, many built before the 1960s. Lot sizes are modest, and homes sit close together in the traditional pattern of Bergen County's river boroughs. The mix gives buyers options across single-family and multi-family housing, with the borough's size keeping everything within a short walk of the main commercial corridors and transit access.

Neighborhoods

Wallington is small enough that its neighborhoods are defined by street corridors and landmarks rather than formal subdivisions. The area around the Gregory Avenue Bridge, the commercial stretch along Paterson Avenue, and the streets near the Passaic River each have their own rhythm. The borough's Polish-American heritage is visible in its churches, halls, and community institutions, and the compact grid means residents share schools, parks, and shops across the whole town.

Lifestyle in Wallington

Life in Wallington is urban-suburban in scale: dense enough to be walkable, small enough to feel familiar. The borough's strong Polish-American community anchors a calendar of cultural and religious traditions, and local delis, bakeries, and markets reflect that heritage. The Passaic River and Samuel Nelkin County Park offer green space within the borough, while the dining and entertainment of nearby Rutherford, Passaic, and the Meadowlands are minutes away.

Schools & Education

The Wallington Public Schools serve the borough from kindergarten through high school, enrolling more than 1,300 students across a small number of campuses, including Jefferson School for the early grades. The district's size reflects the borough's compact footprint, and families benefit from schools close to home. For specialized programs and private options, residents can draw on the wider network of Bergen County districts and schools in the surrounding area.

Getting Around

Wallington's greatest practical asset is its transit access to Manhattan. NJ Transit bus service reaches the Port Authority Bus Terminal in under an hour, and nearby Rutherford and Passaic stations provide commuter rail links into the city. The borough's location along the Passaic River, close to Route 21 and other Bergen County arteries, also puts drivers within reach of the region's highways, while its eight-mile distance from New York City defines the local commuting culture.

Parks & Recreation

Samuel Nelkin County Park is Wallington's principal green space, offering fields and recreation along the borough's western edge, and the Passaic River provides a scenic waterfront. Nearby, larger county parks and the Meadowlands complex expand the options for sports, walking, and family outings, while the American Dream entertainment and retail destination sits a short drive away. The borough's compact size means most residents are within a short walk of local playgrounds and school fields.