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Living in Garfield
"City of Champions." Two Train Stations.
Bergen County's Most Affordable City on the Passaic.
Everything you need to know before making Garfield, NJ home.
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→Garfield calls itself the "City of Champions" — and it has earned the nickname honestly. In 1939, the Garfield High School Boilermakers won the national football championship, and the city has been building on that legacy of grit and community pride ever since. Named in 1881 for President James Garfield (formerly "East Passaic"), this 2.13-square-mile city along the Passaic River is one of Bergen County's most dense, diverse, and unpretentious communities — a working-class city with strong Polish, Italian, Albanian, and growing Hispanic heritage that makes its annual Pulaski Day Parade one of the most authentic celebrations of immigrant community identity in the county.
For buyers, Garfield is Bergen County's most accessible city — median home values in the $584K–$665K range with strong appreciation (up 20.9% YoY per Redfin June 2025), a general tax rate of 3.479%, and median annual bills around $9,072–$9,484 — below the Bergen County average despite the higher rate, because home values moderate the bill. Two NJ Transit Bergen County Line train stations (Garfield and Plauderville) connect to Hoboken, and extensive bus service runs to Port Authority. 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, with I-80, Route 46, and Route 21 all accessible. Good schools (10.8:1 ratio, District Factor Group B) and Dahnert's Lake County Park make Garfield a genuine, affordable alternative to its higher-priced neighbors.
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"City of Champions"
1939 national football champs · Boilermakers pride
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Two NJ Transit Train Stations
Garfield + Plauderville · Bergen Co. Line · Hoboken
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Bergen County Value Entry
Median ~$584K–$665K · avg tax ~$9,072–$9,484
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Strong Appreciation
+20.9% YoY (Redfin June 2025) · competitive market
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Polish · Italian · Hispanic · Albanian
Authentic multi-generational immigrant community
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Own PreK–12 District · 10.8:1 Ratio
12 schools · 4,713 students · District Factor Group B
Commute & Connectivity
Getting There From Here
Garfield has two NJ Transit Bergen County Line train stations, extensive bus service to Port Authority, and direct highway access via I-80, Route 46, and Route 21 — 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
Hoboken Terminal (Train)
Bergen County Line · Garfield or Plauderville Station
~35–45
minutes by train
NYC Port Authority (Bus)
NJ Transit buses 160, 161 · multiple routes
~40–50
minutes by bus
George Washington Bridge
Via Rt-46 E / Rt-4 E · ~12 miles
~20–25
minutes by car (off-peak)
Newark Liberty Airport
Via I-80 E / GSP S / NJ Tpk · ~20 miles
~25
minutes by car
Hackensack / Paramus
Via Midland Ave / Rt-46 E · ~5 miles
~10–15
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Garfield runs its own PreK–12 district with 12 schools, 4,713 students, and an exceptional 10.8:1 ratio — one of Bergen County's largest public school systems with a former Abbott district designation and strong community investment.
| School | Grades | Type | Student:Teacher | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Schools (multiple) Garfield Public Schools · 34 Outwater Lane · PreK–5 |
PreK – 5 | Public | 10.8 : 1 | B- |
| Garfield Middle School Garfield Public Schools · Grades 6–8 |
6 – 8 | Public | 10.8 : 1 | B- |
| Garfield High School 500 Palisade Ave · 1,258 students · Boilermakers · Gold & Purple |
9 – 12 | Public | 13.2 : 1 | B |
Garfield Public Schools: District Factor Group B · former Abbott district · 12 schools · 4,713 students · 10.8:1 district ratio. Garfield HS: 1,258 students, 13.2:1, Boilermakers. Motto: "To promote success." Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) eligible. Jersey College and other higher-ed options within 3 miles.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Garfield Garfield
Explore the Polish heritage, Passaic River parks, legendary pizza culture, Dahnert's Lake, and the genuine immigrant working-class community energy of Bergen County's "City of Champions."
Garfield's Legendary Pizza Scene
Garfield has one of the most competitive and beloved local pizza cultures in Bergen County — multiple pizzerias, each with fiercely loyal local followings, competing for the title of best slice in the city. The Homes.com city guide specifically calls out "an impressive collection of pizza places, each with a loyal fanbase." For a city of 32,000, this level of pizza culture reflects the Italian heritage that runs deep in Garfield's DNA.
Legendary · Italian Heritage · Competitive
Polish & Eastern European Food
With Polish ancestry representing 16.8% of residents (over 20% per some estimates), Albanian 5.5%, and Macedonian 4.4%, Garfield has a genuine Eastern European food culture — pierogis, kielbasa, Albanian burek, Macedonian specialties — accessible at local delis, restaurants, and the community around the Polish church that hosts the annual Pulaski Parade.
Polish · Albanian · Macedonian · Eastern European
Latin American Dining
Garfield's growing Hispanic community (45.4% of residents as of 2023) has transformed the city's commercial corridors with Latin American restaurants, bodegas, bakeries, and food markets — adding a vibrant new culinary layer alongside the established Polish and Italian food culture.
Latin American · Hispanic · Growing
Passaic Street & Commercial Corridors
Garfield's Passaic Street and Midland Avenue commercial strips serve as the city's main retail and dining corridors — a mix of local restaurants, cafés, services, and shops reflecting the city's diverse community. The urban density keeps everyday needs accessible without a car for most residents.
Passaic St · Midland Ave · Urban · Walkable
Nearby Retail (~10 min)
Paramus retail (Garden State Plaza, Bergen Town Center) is approximately 10 minutes east; Hackensack's commercial corridor is similar distance south. Garfield's position in southern Bergen County gives good regional retail access without the city itself being adjacent to major commercial strips.
~10 min · Paramus · Hackensack
Pulaski Day Parade & Community Festivals
The Polish church's annual Pulaski Day Parade — with representation in New York City's broader Pulaski Day celebration — is Garfield's signature community event, reflecting the city's deep Polish heritage. Cultural festivals and community events throughout the year celebrate the city's multi-ethnic character.
Pulaski Parade · Polish Heritage · Annual
Dahnert's Lake County Park
Bergen County's Dahnert's Lake park sits at the junction of the Passaic and Saddle Rivers near Garfield — a significant outdoor amenity featuring water views, walking paths, and natural beauty. The Meridia Transit Crossing development specifically highlights its proximity to the park. A genuine green-space anchor for a dense, urban city.
County Park · Lake · Passaic River
Passaic River
Garfield sits along the Passaic River — New Jersey's second longest river — with five bridges crossing the Lower Passaic within the city. The river provides a natural backdrop to the city's eastern edge and connects Garfield to the broader regional waterway network used for fishing and recreational access.
Passaic River · 5 Bridges · Fishing
Garfield YMCA
Garfield's YMCA provides fitness, recreation, and community programming — a significant quality-of-life amenity specifically cited by local guides as one of the city's family-friendly assets. For families and young professionals, in-city YMCA access at a local membership price is a practical benefit.
YMCA · Fitness · Community Programming
Healthcare & Higher Ed (~10 min)
HackensackUMC and Valley Hospital are both approximately 10–15 minutes away. Bergen Community College is ~10 min east; Passaic County Community College is nearby. Jersey College — a nursing and allied health school — is approximately 3 miles from Garfield. Good regional healthcare and higher education access for a city of this size.
Healthcare · Higher Ed · ~10–15 min
Garfield Public Library
Part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, directed by Mary Jo Jennings — a civic leader who speaks directly to the city's thriving Polish community and their role in Garfield's cultural life. Multilingual collections and programming reflect the Polish, Albanian, Hispanic, and other communities that make Garfield's library one of Bergen County's most genuinely multicultural.
Civic · BCCLS · Multilingual · Polish
"City of Champions" — 1939 National Football Title
In 1939, the Garfield High School Boilermakers won the national football championship — a moment of civic triumph that the city has been building its identity around for over 85 years. The nickname "City of Champions" is not marketing; it is a statement of community pride rooted in a specific, documented achievement that this working-class city earned honestly.
1939 · National Champions · Boilermakers
Polish Heritage & Pulaski Day Parade
Polish ancestry (16.8%) gives Garfield one of Bergen County's most distinctive heritage identities. The Polish church's annual Pulaski Day Parade — with Garfield representation in New York City's broader celebration honoring General Casimir Pulaski, the Polish-born hero of the American Revolution — connects the city's immigrant community to both Polish and American history simultaneously.
Polish · Pulaski Parade · Heritage
Revolutionary War History
On Outwater Lane, a historic plaque honors General George Washington's 1776 march through what is now Garfield — connecting the city to the Revolutionary War's New Jersey campaign and the broader historical narrative of the region. The Passaic River crossing was strategic; the plaque is a reminder that Garfield's land has been significant for far longer than its 1881 incorporation.
Washington 1776 · Historical Marker · Outwater Ln
Passaic Street & Midland Avenue
Garfield's primary commercial corridors — Passaic Street and Midland Avenue — provide groceries, local retail, restaurants, pharmacies, and everyday services in a dense, walkable format. The city's urban density keeps daily errands accessible on foot or a short drive from any address.
In-City · Walkable · Everyday
Paramus & Hackensack Retail (~10 min)
Garden State Plaza, Bergen Town Center, and Hackensack's commercial district are approximately 10 minutes east — the same major retail access that most Bergen County communities have at this price point, without Garfield itself being adjacent to the commercial sprawl.
~10 min · Garden State Plaza
HackensackUMC (~10 min)
HackensackUMC — one of NJ's top-ranked hospital systems — is approximately 10 minutes southeast. St. Mary's General Hospital in nearby Passaic County is similarly accessible. Jersey College (nursing/allied health) is about 3 miles away. Good regional healthcare access for a working-class city.
~10 min · HackensackUMC · Regional
By the Numbers
Garfield at a Glance
Municipality Type
City
Bergen County · 2.13 sq mi
Population
~32,655
2020 Census · growing at 2.4%/yr
Median Sale Price
~$584K–$665K
Up 20.9% YoY · competitive
Avg Tax Bill
~$9,072–$9,484
3.479% rate · below Bergen avg
Train Stations
2
Garfield + Plauderville · Bergen Co. Line
Schools
12 schools · 10.8:1
4,713 students · District Factor Group B
Zip Code
07026
Single zip city
Nickname
City of Champions
1939 national football champs · Boilermakers
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Garfield
Buyers considering Garfield often explore these neighboring Bergen County and Passaic County communities.
Lodi
Bordering · similar character · accessible
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Saddle Brook
Bordering · I-80/GSP · family · quieter
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Elmwood Park
Bordering · Route 4 · affordable
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Clifton (Passaic Co.)
Bordering · similar demographics
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Fair Lawn
Nearby · two trains · Radburn · step up
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Hackensack
County seat · urban · NJ Transit · nearby
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Wallington
Passaic River · Polish heritage · family
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Rutherford
Nearby · NJ Transit · strong schools
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Wood-Ridge
Nearby · NJ Transit · quiet SFH
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Common Questions
Garfield, NJ — Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and daily life in Garfield — Bergen County's "City of Champions," with two NJ Transit train stations, a median home around $584K–$665K, strong appreciation, Polish-Italian-Hispanic heritage, and genuine working-class community pride.
Garfield is a somewhat competitive, rapidly appreciating market. Redfin reported a median sale of $665K in June 2025, up 20.9% YoY — one of Bergen County's strongest recent appreciation rates. Movoto lists a current median around $584K (April 2026). Rocket Homes list median was $613,500 (December 2024, up 30% YoY). Days on market average 26–81 days depending on season and source. The city draws consistent demand from buyers seeking Bergen County ownership at accessible prices with train access and highway connectivity. Growing Hispanic community and rising household incomes are driving structural demand. Talk to us about current Garfield market conditions →
Garfield's median home price is approximately $584K–$665K — with strong appreciation pushing values up meaningfully year over year. The practical range: smaller capes, ranches, and multifamily: $400K–$550K; updated colonials and larger homes: $550K–$700K; premium homes on larger lots: $700K+. Garfield's housing stock is a mix of post-war single-family homes, duplexes, and multifamily properties — typical of a dense Passaic River urban community. The city is positioned as one of Bergen County's most affordable entry points with real commuter train access — a combination that drives consistent demand from first-time buyers and move-up buyers from adjacent Passaic County communities.
Garfield's housing reflects its dense urban city character — 2.13 square miles, 15,733 people per square mile. The dominant types are post-war single-family homes (capes, ranches, colonials on modest lots), duplexes and two-family homes (popular for buyers seeking rental income), and smaller multifamily buildings. Unlike the high-rise-heavy GWB corridor towns, Garfield is predominantly low-rise residential neighborhoods — tree-lined streets of smaller homes that give the city a neighborhood feel despite its density. New mixed-use developments like Meridia Transit Crossing (near Dahnert's Lake) are adding modern apartment options. Garfield's multifamily inventory makes it attractive for investors and buyers wanting rental income to offset carrying costs.
Garfield has two NJ Transit Bergen County Line train stations — Garfield Station (Midland Avenue and Passaic Street, Fare Zone 4) and Plauderville Station — both providing direct service to Hoboken Terminal in approximately 35–45 minutes. From Hoboken, PATH connects to lower Manhattan in minutes. Penn Station via Secaucus Junction is approximately 50–60 minutes total. NJ Transit bus routes 160, 161 and others connect to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 40–50 minutes. By car, Route 46 East, Route 21, or I-80 East reach the GWB in approximately 20–25 minutes off-peak, with Midtown Manhattan roughly 40 minutes. The city is 12 miles from Midtown and 10.4 miles from Manhattan. Garden State Parkway also accessible.
Garfield runs its own PreK–12 district — 12 schools, 4,713 students, excellent 10.8:1 overall ratio, District Factor Group B. The district is a former Abbott district, reflecting state investment in educational resources for this urban community. Garfield High School (500 Palisade Avenue, Boilermakers, Gold & Purple) has 1,258 students and a 13.2:1 ratio. The district's motto — "To promote success" — reflects genuine ambition for a community with moderate socioeconomic indicators. School quality is solid and improving — good for the price point and community context, not elite by Bergen County standards. For families comparing Garfield specifically on schools, Fair Lawn and Elmwood Park offer stronger-rated districts at similar or modestly higher price points. Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) also eligible.
Garfield's general tax rate is 3.479% — one of Bergen County's higher rates. However, with median home values in the $584K–$665K range, the actual annual tax bill is approximately $9,072–$9,484 (City-Data, 2024) — below the Bergen County average of $13,329. On a $600K home, expect roughly $16,000–$20,000 per year depending on assessed value and assessment ratio. The rate is high because Garfield runs a large, comprehensive school district (12 schools, 4,713 students) with former Abbott district investment — but the lower home values moderate the actual dollar burden relative to higher-priced Bergen County neighbors. Tax bills due quarterly: February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1.
The comparison most Garfield buyers are making: Lodi — very similar character, comparable prices (~$500K–$600K range), similar tax rate (~3.540%), no train station. Elmwood Park — slightly higher prices (~$590K–$675K), 3.202% rate, similar demographic character, no train station. Garfield — similar prices to both, 3.479% rate, but two train stations that neither neighbor has. For buyers who commute by train, Garfield wins the value calculation clearly — the train access is the differentiator that justifies choosing it over Lodi or Elmwood Park at similar price points. Fair Lawn (~$662K–$700K, two train stations, 3.661% rate, 8/10 schools) is the clear step-up comparison — better schools and same train benefit at a modest price premium.
Yes. A 20.9% YoY appreciation rate (Redfin, June 2025) reflects strong structural demand from buyers seeking Bergen County train access at accessible prices. The city's growing population (2.4%/year), rising household incomes ($75,701 median, up), and consistent flow of buyers from adjacent Passaic County communities moving up into Bergen County make Garfield a reliably active market. Spring (March–May) is the strongest season. Multifamily properties attract investor buyers year-round. Get a free Garfield home valuation →
Garfield homes average approximately 26–81 days on market depending on season and source (Movoto 26 days; Redfin 81 days). The spread reflects low monthly transaction volume making averages volatile. Well-priced single-family homes in good condition in the $550K–$650K range can move in 3–5 weeks in spring. Multifamily properties move based on condition and rental income potential. Key selling messages: two train stations (rare at this price), Bergen County schools, and accessible entry to a county where prices in neighboring towns are $150K–$300K higher. Learn how we sell homes in Garfield →
Garfield is one of Bergen County's most authentically working-class cities — and it wears that identity with the pride of a community that won a national football championship in 1939 and has been calling itself "City of Champions" ever since. The pizza culture is fierce and genuinely excellent. The Polish community's annual Pulaski Day Parade connects the city to both Polish and American history. The Passaic River and Dahnert's Lake provide natural backdrop. The two train stations make the Hoboken commute manageable. The growing Hispanic community — now 45.4% of residents — has brought new energy, new restaurants, and new community organizations alongside the established Polish, Italian, and Albanian heritage. For buyers who want Bergen County's infrastructure (train access, good schools, highway connectivity) at the most honest and unpretentious price point — Garfield delivers. It is not a borough anyone moves to ironically. It is a city people move to because they did the math.