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Woodcliff Lake is a borough in northern Bergen County, New Jersey, approximately twenty miles northwest of Manhattan and just inside the New York metropolitan area's commuter belt. The borough is bordered by neighboring Pascack Valley communities, and its identity is anchored by the Woodcliff Lake reservoir, a body of water that gives the municipality its name and sits near its center. Surrounding the reservoir are mature residential neighborhoods, local parks, and a compact civic core, all set within one of Bergen County's most convenient commuter corridors. The borough was incorporated in 1894 as the Borough of Woodcliff, during the wave of municipal formations known as "Boroughitis" that reshaped Bergen County in the late nineteenth century. The creation of the reservoir in the early 1900s reinforced the community's identity, and the name Woodcliff Lake was adopted in 1910. The borough has since matured into an established, largely residential suburb with a population of roughly 6,100 residents and a housing stock dominated by single-family homes on quiet, tree-lined streets. Transportation is a defining feature. NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line stops at Woodcliff Lake station, providing direct commuter rail to Hoboken Terminal, with transfers to PATH trains and connections to Manhattan via Secaucus Junction. This rail access, combined with nearby highways such as the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 287, makes the borough a practical base for commuters working in New York City and northern New Jersey. The public schools are a central draw. Students attend the Woodcliff Lake School District through eighth grade and then move on to the Pascack Valley Regional High School District for secondary grades. The borough's parks, reservoir setting, and quiet residential character complete a profile that appeals to families and professionals seeking highly regarded schools, suburban space, and dependable access to the city.

Population 6,193

County Bergen County

Active Listings 39

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey in?

Woodcliff Lake is a borough in northern Bergen County, New Jersey. It is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Manhattan, near the New York–New Jersey border communities of northern Bergen County.

What school district serves Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey?

Students in Woodcliff Lake attend the Woodcliff Lake School District for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. For high school, students attend the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, which serves Woodcliff Lake along with neighboring Pascack Valley communities.

How do you commute from Woodcliff Lake to New York City?

Woodcliff Lake is served by the Woodcliff Lake station on NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line. Commuter trains run to Hoboken Terminal, where riders can transfer to PATH trains or continue to Manhattan via Secaucus Junction, making the borough convenient for New York City commuters.

Why is Woodcliff Lake named Woodcliff Lake?

The borough is named for the Woodcliff Lake reservoir at its center. The reservoir was created in the early 1900s, and the borough's name and geography are closely tied to this body of water.

City Guide

About Woodcliff Lake

Real Estate & Housing

Housing in Woodcliff Lake consists primarily of single-family homes on tree-lined streets, many on larger lots than are typical closer to the city. The stock ranges from mid-century houses to newer and expanded construction, reflecting the borough's mature, established character and its desirability as a commuter suburb. As a small, fully developed borough, turnover is limited, and homes are sought for the combination of space, schools, and rail access to Manhattan. The market is decidedly suburban and family-oriented.

Neighborhoods

Lifestyle in Woodcliff Lake

Woodcliff Lake offers a leafy, small-borough lifestyle with strong ties to New York City. The community is built around quiet residential streets, a local school system, and the reservoir that gives the town its name. Residents value the balance of suburban calm and urban access, with the Pascack Valley Line carrying commuters into Hoboken and Manhattan. Borough life centers on the schools, parks, and civic organizations, and the nearby Pascack Valley towns provide shopping and dining. The community's character is defined by a stable, family-oriented, and convenience-driven way of life.

Schools & Education

Woodcliff Lake operates its own school district for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The Woodcliff Lake School District serves the borough's elementary and middle school students. For high school, students attend the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, a shared district serving Woodcliff Lake and the surrounding Pascack Valley communities. This two-tier arrangement is a hallmark of the borough's strong school reputation, which figures prominently in the community's appeal to families.

Getting Around

Woodcliff Lake is served by its own station on NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line, which runs between Spring Valley, New York, and Hoboken Terminal. Riders can transfer at Secaucus Junction for trains into Penn Station in Manhattan or continue to Hoboken for PATH service. Bus routes also operate during commuting hours. By road, the borough is convenient to the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 287, providing regional access across Bergen County and into New York State.

Parks & Recreation

The Woodcliff Lake reservoir and the borough's parks provide the community's primary green space, offering a scenic backdrop for walking and neighborhood recreation. Residents also benefit from Bergen County's extensive park system, including nearby golf courses, county parks, and trail networks within a short drive. The Pascack Valley and the broader northern Bergen County area offer additional recreational and cultural amenities, while the borough's own small parks and playing fields support local youth sports and community gatherings.