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West Milford is a township in northwestern Passaic County, New Jersey, occupying a large, rugged portion of the New Jersey Highlands near the New York state line. It is one of the largest municipalities in the state by land area, yet its 2020 census population of about 24,900 is spread thinly across a landscape of forested ridges, wetlands, and lakes — a striking contrast to the densely developed communities of eastern Passaic County. The township's identity is inseparable from its water: Greenwood Lake, which straddles the New York border, is the largest and best known of the many lakes that give West Milford its character. The area's history is rooted in iron. The Highlands were New Jersey's early iron-making district, and the Long Pond Ironworks, now a state park within the region, preserves the furnaces and village of an 18th- and 19th-century ironmaking enterprise. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway later carried passengers and freight through the area, and the hamlet of Newfoundland grew up along its tracks and along Route 23. That rail and industrial heritage has since given way to a primarily residential, recreation-oriented community. Today West Milford functions largely as a residential and outdoor-recreation township. Many residents commute via Route 23 toward Interstate 80, Interstate 287, and employment centers in northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, while the township itself supports small retail, services, and the West Milford Township Public Schools, a compact district of about seven schools. The community calendar is anchored by traditions such as the Autumn Lights Festival and the Greenwood Lake Air Show. Recreation is the township's defining amenity. Greenwood Lake supports boating and fishing; the Apshawa Preserve offers hiking; the Wanaque River draws paddlers; and Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, Ringwood State Park, and the nearby Appalachian Trail provide an extensive network of preserved open space. For homebuyers, West Milford offers lakefront and lake-community living, wooded acreage, and genuine four-season recreation, all within commuting reach of the region's larger job centers.

Population 24,862

County Passaic County

Active Listings 394

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is West Milford, New Jersey in?

West Milford is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, located in the northwestern part of the county near the New York state border. It is one of the largest municipalities in New Jersey by land area.

Is West Milford a lake community?

Yes. West Milford is known for its lake communities, including Greenwood Lake, which straddles the New Jersey–New York border, and numerous smaller private and public lakes. Boating, swimming, and fishing are central to the township's lifestyle.

What school district serves West Milford?

Public schools are provided by the West Milford Township Public Schools district, which operates about seven schools serving roughly 3,000 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district's small size contributes to a notably low student-to-teacher ratio.

How far is West Milford from New York City?

West Milford lies roughly 40 miles northwest of Manhattan in New Jersey's Highlands. Route 23 provides the main highway connection toward Interstate 80 and other regional routes, making it a base for commuters to northern New Jersey employment centers and New York City.

What is there to do in West Milford, New Jersey?

Outdoor recreation defines the area, including boating and fishing on Greenwood Lake, hiking at the Apshawa Preserve, kayaking on the Wanaque River, and trails at Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, and nearby Ringwood State Park.

What is the population of West Milford?

West Milford's population was 24,862 at the 2020 census, a modest decline from prior decades. The township covers a large, mostly forested area, so the population is spread across lake communities, hamlets such as Newfoundland, and rural residential roads.

City Guide

About West Milford

Real Estate & Housing

West Milford's housing market is shaped by its lakes and forests. Lakefront homes and lake-community cottages are a defining segment, with waterfront inventory limited and consistently in demand. The broader stock includes Cape Cod and colonial-style homes, mid-century ranches, and a mix of newer construction on larger, wooded lots. Private lake communities, including areas around Green Pond and Upper Greenwood Lake, offer membership-based beach and boating access, while public lakes provide broader access. Because much of the township is preserved forest and watershed land, residential development is spread across hamlets and winding rural roads rather than dense subdivisions. The market's appeal rests on acreage, privacy, and water access rather than walkable density.

Neighborhoods

West Milford's communities are organized around its lakes and historic hamlets rather than a single downtown. Newfoundland, in the southern part of the township, sits along Route 23 and the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway line and functions as a local commercial and residential center. Greenwood Lake's New Jersey shore and the Upper Greenwood Lake area offer waterfront living and boating access. Shady Lake and other smaller lake communities feature Cape Cod-style homes and neighborhood beaches. The Green Pond area, associated with a private lake community, provides a more secluded, membership-based setting. Beyond these, scattered residential roads and larger-acreage properties fill the township's forested interior, giving West Milford a uniquely dispersed, lake-and-ridge character.

Lifestyle in West Milford

Life in West Milford revolves around the water and the woods. The township's many lakes — Greenwood Lake foremost among them — anchor a culture of boating, swimming, ice fishing, and lakeside gatherings, with a strong sense of community among the lake associations. The surrounding Highlands offer four-season outdoor recreation, from summer kayaking on the Wanaque River to autumn leaf-peeping hikes and winter activities. Community life is marked by local traditions, including the West Milford Autumn Lights Festival and the Greenwood Lake Air Show. The township retains a distinctly rural, small-town character compared with the denser Passaic County communities to the east, appealing to residents who prioritize space, privacy, and direct access to nature over suburban convenience.

Schools & Education

West Milford is served by the West Milford Township Public Schools, a compact district comprising about seven schools and enrolling roughly 3,000 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district's small scale yields a notably low student-to-teacher ratio — around 11 to 1 — and close-knit schools that draw families seeking a more individualized setting. Students attend West Milford High School, and the district offers a full range of academic, arts, and athletic programs. Families also have access to private and parochial options in the surrounding region. For higher education, county colleges and universities across northern New Jersey are within commuting distance, as are institutions in the broader New York metropolitan area.

Getting Around

West Milford is reached primarily by New Jersey Route 23, which runs north-south through the township and connects to Interstate 80 and Interstate 287 for access to the wider region. The route follows a corridor used since the 19th century, when turnpikes first linked the Highlands to Newark and Paterson. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway continues to pass through the township, though for freight service only, and local bus service provides public transit options. Commuting to northern New Jersey employment centers and New York City — roughly 40 miles to the southeast — is a common pattern, with most households relying on private vehicles given the township's dispersed, rural layout.

Parks & Recreation

West Milford is surrounded by preserved open space and is a gateway to some of New Jersey's best outdoor recreation. Greenwood Lake, the township's largest water body, supports boating, fishing, and swimming, while the Wanaque River is popular for kayaking and canoeing. The Apshawa Preserve offers forested hiking trails and scenic views, and Long Pond Ironworks State Park combines hiking with the ruins of a historic ironmaking village. Nearby, Abram S. Hewitt State Forest and Ringwood State Park extend the trail network, and the Appalachian Trail passes within a short distance of the township. Brown's Point Park on Greenwood Lake serves as a local gathering spot, and the lake-and-ridge landscape supports four-season activities from paddling to cross-country recreation.