Cresskill takes its name from the Dutch — cress (the watercress that once blanketed its streams) and kill (the Dutch word for stream) — a small etymological reminder that this 2.14-square-mile borough has been rooted in something genuine since before the Revolution. Today it is a dense suburban borough of roughly 9,400 residents in northern Bergen County, bordering Tenafly, Demarest, and Bergenfield, with one of the most highly educated and internationally diverse populations in the state. NeighborhoodScout places Cresskill among the top communities nationally for concentration of artists, designers, tech workers, and "urban sophisticates" — people who happen to want a backyard and a top-ranked school district.
That school district is the borough's headline: Cresskill runs its own K–12 public school system with Cresskill High School consistently ranking among the top 33–141 schools in New Jersey over the past decade. The median sale price is approximately $1.3M, the average tax bill is one of the lower dollar-amount bills in Bergen County for this price range, and NJ Transit bus service puts Manhattan roughly 30 minutes away. The borough is growing, appreciated, and consistently oversubscribed by families who find Tenafly too expensive and want their own in-borough high school.
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Own K–12 DistrictCresskill HS top 33–141 in NJ · 4-star district
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Highly Educated & Diverse58% college-grads · 29% Asian · top arts/tech workforce
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~30 Min to NYCNJ Transit bus · GWB ~10 miles · Palisades Pkwy
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Luxury MarketMedian ~$1.3M · list up 14.6% YoY · appreciating
Cresskill commuters primarily take NJ Transit bus to Manhattan, with the GWB and Palisades Interstate Parkway providing excellent car access — and the Bronx literally 8 miles away.
NYC Port Authority
NJ Transit bus · bus lane bypass · direct
~30
minutes by bus
George Washington Bridge
Via Palisades Interstate Pkwy S / Rt-9W S
~20
minutes by car (off-peak)
Midtown Manhattan
Via GWB · ~10 miles total
~25–35
minutes by car (off-peak)
The Bronx
Via GWB / Major Deegan Expy
~20
minutes by car · 8.2 miles
Hackensack (County Seat)
Via Anderson Ave / Rt-9W S
~10
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Cresskill runs its own K–12 district — ranked 4-star with Cresskill High School placing among NJ's top 33–141 high schools, 80%+ ELA proficiency, and 90%+ graduation rates.
School
Grades
Type
Student:Teacher
Rating
Cresskill Elementary Schools Cresskill Public Schools · K–6
K – 6
Public
12 : 1
B+
Cresskill Middle School Cresskill Public Schools · 7–8
7 – 8
Public
12 : 1
B+
Cresskill High School 1 Lincoln Dr · 478 students · top 33–141 in NJ
9 – 12
Public
12 : 1
A
Cresskill HS ranked #111 of 426 NJ high schools (SchoolDigger); peaked at #33 in 2020–21. District ranked #121 of 613 NJ districts; 4-star rating. 80%+ ELA proficiency; 90%+ graduation rate; <1.2% dropout rate. Bergen County Academies also eligible.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Cresskill Cresskill
Explore the restaurants, parks, nature centers, and community culture of Bergen County's most internationally sophisticated small borough.
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Cresskill Downtown Dining
Cresskill has a lively and diverse in-borough restaurant scene — Niche specifically notes "a lot of restaurants" as a defining local amenity. The borough's international character shows in its dining options, which span Italian, Korean, Mediterranean, and American fare.
Diverse · In-Borough
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Israeli & Mediterranean Cuisine
With Israeli-ancestry residents representing 10.6% of the population — one of the highest concentrations in Bergen County — Cresskill's dining scene includes authentic Mediterranean and Israeli-influenced food options reflecting this significant cultural community.
Israeli · Mediterranean
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Italian & Local BYOBs
Italian-ancestry residents make up 10.5% of Cresskill's population — the borough has a strong tradition of neighborhood Italian restaurants and BYOBs that appeal to families and date-night diners alike.
Italian · BYOB · Local
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Local Grocery & Retail
Everyday groceries and services are accessible within the borough along Anderson Avenue and the main commercial corridors. Bergenfield and Tenafly's commercial strips extend Cresskill's retail radius within minutes.
Local Retail · In-Borough
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Paramus Retail (~15 min)
Garden State Plaza and Bergen Town Center — two of NJ's largest retail destinations — are approximately 15 minutes west, accessible via Route 4. For major shopping, Cresskill residents have excellent access without living in a highway-adjacent environment.
~15 min · Major Retail
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Manhattan & Tenafly Fine Dining
With Manhattan 25–35 minutes away and Tenafly's charming village dining scene just minutes east, Cresskill residents have access to exceptional restaurants in both directions — a consistent quality-of-life advantage.
~30 min NYC · ~5 min Tenafly
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Tenafly Nature Center (~5 min)
The Tenafly Nature Center — one of Bergen County's finest environmental education and hiking destinations — borders Cresskill to the east. Hundreds of acres of trails, wetlands, and wildlife habitat accessible in minutes from virtually any Cresskill address.
~5 min · Trails · Wildlife
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Demarest & Closter Nature Centers (~10 min)
Two additional nature centers — Demarest and Closter — are within 10 minutes, giving Cresskill residents access to hundreds of combined acres of preserved open space, trails, and natural areas. Few Bergen County boroughs of this size have comparable nature access.
~10 min · Multiple Centers
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Borough Recreation & Parks
Cresskill's recreation department maintains active youth sports programs and local parks throughout the 2.14-square-mile borough. The community sports culture — football, baseball, soccer — is a significant part of what makes Cresskill feel family-oriented year-round.
Youth Sports · Community
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Englewood Health (~15 min)
One of NJ's top-ranked hospital systems — approximately 15 minutes south. Also nearby: Hackensack University Medical Center (~15 min). Cresskill residents have access to two of Bergen County's premier healthcare systems without a significant drive.
Healthcare · ~15 min · Top-Ranked
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Cresskill Public Library
Part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System — access to 77 member libraries, hundreds of thousands of titles, digital resources, and museum passes. A community anchor that reflects the borough's highly educated, intellectually engaged character.
Civic · BCCLS Network
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Exceptional Diversity
44% of Cresskill residents are foreign-born. The borough's top ancestries include Israeli (10.6%), Italian (10.5%), and Irish (6.4%), alongside a significant Korean community and residents from across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. NeighborhoodScout calls Cresskill "extremely ethnically diverse" — an understatement for a 2.14-square-mile borough of 9,400.
Diverse · 44% Foreign-Born
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Arts, Design & Tech Concentration
NeighborhoodScout ranks Cresskill in the top 10% nationally for concentration of artists, designers, and people working in media — alongside a top 5% national concentration of computer and math workers. The borough's intellectual and creative density is genuinely unusual for its size.
Urban Sophisticates · Top 10% US
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Revolutionary War History
Cresskill served as a site of a Revolutionary War encampment — the borough's Dutch heritage (its name derives from the watercress-filled streams early settlers navigated) is preserved in street names and local landmarks that connect modern residents to a genuinely deep sense of place.
History · Dutch Heritage
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Anderson Ave & Local Corridors
Cresskill's main commercial corridor covers everyday needs — local shops, salons, services, and a diverse range of restaurants. The density of the borough makes most in-borough errands genuinely walkable or a very short drive.
Walkable · In-Borough
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Paramus Retail (~15 min)
Garden State Plaza and Bergen Town Center are approximately 15 minutes west via Route 4 — two of New Jersey's premier retail destinations. Cresskill residents access major retail quickly without being adjacent to highway commercial sprawl.
~15 min · Major Retail
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Englewood Health & HUMC (~15 min)
Both Englewood Health and Hackensack University Medical Center — two of New Jersey's top hospital systems — are approximately 15 minutes from Cresskill, giving residents exceptional healthcare access in two directions.
Healthcare · Dual Access
By the Numbers
Cresskill at a Glance
Municipality TypeBoroughBergen County · 2.14 sq mi
Population~9,4002026 est · growing · diverse
Median Home Price~$1.3MList up 14.6% YoY · appreciating
Avg Tax Bill~$10,0012.269% rate · competitive for price
HS NJ RankTop 33–141Cresskill HS · own K–12 district
GWB by Car~20 minPIP / Rt-9W · ~10 miles
Zip Code07626Single zip borough
Foreign-Born44%Top 10% US arts/design/tech workforce
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Cresskill
Buyers considering Cresskill often explore these nearby Bergen County communities — each with its own school profile, price point, and character.
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and daily life in Cresskill — Bergen County's most internationally diverse small borough with its own top-ranked K–12 district.
Cresskill is a somewhat competitive, appreciating market at the upper end of Bergen County's price range. The median list price was approximately $1.274M in May 2025, up 14.6% year-over-year. The median sale price was around $1.3M in early 2026. Days on market range from 54–97 days depending on season — reflecting the deliberate buyer profile the borough attracts rather than weak demand. With only 3–9 homes selling per month, inventory is consistently tight and well-positioned listings face minimal direct competition. The borough's appreciation trend, educated buyer base, and school-driven demand create stable long-term value. Talk to us about current Cresskill market conditions →
Cresskill's median list price was approximately $1.274M in May 2025 (up 14.6% YoY per Rocket Homes), with sale medians ranging from $1.3M–$1.41M depending on source and season. The price range is meaningful: smaller single-family homes and condos can be found in the $700K–$900K range; updated colonials and larger homes run $1M–$1.5M; newer construction or expanded properties push $1.5M–$2M+. Because monthly transaction volume is low (3–9 sales), individual sales move the median significantly — the directional trend (strongly upward) is more meaningful than any single month's figure.
Cresskill's 2.14-square-mile footprint is predominantly single-family residential — colonials, ranches, split-levels, and Capes on well-maintained lots throughout the borough. The housing stock reflects decades of suburban development with a mix of mid-century homes (many updated) and more recent construction. The borough's character is described as "dense suburban" by Niche — denser than Closter or Alpine but more residential than Bergenfield. Some condos and townhouses are available for buyers seeking a lower entry point into the Cresskill school district. Buyers seeking large estate-scale lots should look at bordering Tenafly or Alpine; Cresskill's lots are comfortable but not expansive.
Cresskill's primary commute mode is NJ Transit bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal — most commuters note the bus lane bypass significantly reduces travel time, with Manhattan reachable in approximately 30 minutes. By car, the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Route 9W provide direct GWB access in about 20 minutes, with Midtown Manhattan approximately 25–35 minutes off-peak. The borough is also notably close to the Bronx (8.2 miles) and Yonkers (5.3 miles) — making it accessible for commuters working in northern Manhattan or Westchester County. The average commute time for Cresskill residents is about 34–37 minutes.
Cresskill's schools are the primary reason most families choose the borough. Cresskill runs its own K–12 district — organized on a K–6 / 7–8 / 9–12 basis — meaning students stay in-district through graduation. Cresskill High School consistently ranks among NJ's top 33–141 high schools (SchoolDigger), peaked at #33 in 2020–21, and currently ranks #111 of 426 NJ high schools. The district holds a 4-star SchoolDigger rating (ranked #121 of 613 NJ districts), with 80%+ ELA proficiency, 90%+ graduation rates, and a dropout rate below 1.2%. The school particularly excels with diverse student populations, which aligns with Cresskill's 44% foreign-born community. Students are also eligible for Bergen County Academies programs.
Cresskill's 2025 general tax rate is 2.269%. The median annual residential tax bill is approximately $10,001 — a surprisingly competitive dollar amount given the borough's ~$1.3M median home price. This is below the Bergen County average of $13,329, and significantly below comparable school-quality communities like Tenafly ($23,837 avg) and Demarest ($24,741 avg). The effective rate of approximately 1.1% reflects a borough where assessed values have kept pace with market appreciation. On a $1.3M home, expect roughly $18,000–$25,000 per year depending on assessed value. Tax bills are due quarterly: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
This is one of Cresskill's most compelling value propositions. Tenafly's average tax bill is $23,837 — more than double Cresskill's ~$10,001. Yet both offer top-tier school districts, GWB proximity, and comparable quality of life. The median home price in Cresskill (~$1.3M) is lower than Tenafly's, and the tax bill is dramatically lower — making Cresskill the logical entry point for families who want the Northern Valley / Palisades corridor lifestyle without Tenafly's carrying costs. Demarest averages $24,741. Alpine averages $22,596. Cresskill residents save $10,000–$15,000 annually versus these peers — a meaningful long-term financial advantage that compounds over years of ownership.
Yes — Cresskill benefits from a structural buyer demand driver: families priced out of Tenafly who want a top-ranked own K–12 district in a Palisades-corridor borough, at a lower price point and tax bill. That is an increasingly compelling proposition as Tenafly values have risen. List prices are up 14.6% year-over-year, and the borough's 44% foreign-born population creates consistent inbound demand from buyers relocating from NYC and internationally. Spring (March–May) is the strongest selling season as school-year timing aligns families to make decisions. Get a free Cresskill home valuation →
Cresskill homes average approximately 54–97 days on market — a range that reflects both seasonal patterns and the borough's low monthly transaction volume. Well-priced, well-presented homes in spring can go pending in under 60 days; winter listings may take longer. The key marketing angle for Cresskill is specific: buyers who have compared Cresskill to Tenafly and concluded that the tax savings justify the address. These buyers are motivated, financially literate, and intentional — and they respond to content that clearly articulates the value proposition. Generic marketing reaches generic buyers; the right positioning reaches the right buyer faster. Learn how we sell homes in Cresskill →
Cresskill is one of Bergen County's most genuinely cosmopolitan small boroughs — in a 2.14-square-mile footprint, you have residents from Israel, Italy, Korea, Turkey, Latin America, and dozens of other countries, alongside a concentration of artists, designers, and tech workers that NeighborhoodScout ranks in the top 10% nationally. Daily life is dense suburban: restaurants and parks are accessible, the school community is tightly knit, and the Tenafly Nature Center trails are minutes away. Manhattan is 30 minutes by bus; the Bronx is 8 miles. The borough feels bigger than its population suggests because its residents are actively engaged — in the schools, the community, the arts, and each other. For families seeking a top-ranked K–12 district in a genuinely international community without Tenafly's price tag, Cresskill is one of Bergen County's most underappreciated addresses.
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