Leonia
NJ
Average Sales Price
$601,351
Median Sales Price
$637,500
Population
9,032
Total Listings
38
Living in Leonia
"Athens of New Jersey." 4 Miles from Manhattan.
Bergen's Most Culturally Rich GWB Corridor Borough.
Everything you need to know before making Leonia, NJ home.
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→Leonia carries a nickname it earned honestly: the "Athens of New Jersey." The 1.51-square-mile borough in southeastern Bergen County has attracted artists, writers, academics, and intellectuals throughout its history — a tradition of creative and intellectual life that has given Leonia a cultural character unlike any other GWB corridor community. At 4 miles from Manhattan and 15–20 minutes via the George Washington Bridge, it is one of Bergen County's most Manhattan-proximate residential communities. NJ Transit buses 178, 182, and 186 run direct to Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Modern Leonia is equally distinctive for its demographic character. With 37% Asian residents (primarily Korean-American) and 40.8% foreign-born, Leonia has one of the most genuinely diverse populations in Bergen County — reflected in its Korean restaurants, international markets, and the multilingual community life on Grand Avenue. The own PreK–12 school district (2,087 students, 10.9:1 ratio, District Factor Group GH) is highly regarded, with Leonia HS producing strong academic outcomes since 1912. The median home is approximately $707K–$825K — accessible for GWB proximity at a price point that comparable communities in Fort Lee and Cliffside Park rarely match for single-family stock. Leonia is Bergen County's best-kept cultural secret on the Eastern corridor.
🎨
"Athens of New Jersey"
Rich arts & intellectual heritage · cultural borough
🌉
4 Miles from Manhattan
GWB 15–20 min · NJ Transit bus 178/182/186
🇰🇷
37% Asian · Korean-American Community
40.8% foreign-born · diverse · multilingual
🏫
Own PreK–12 · 10.9:1 District Ratio
2,087 students · Leonia HS est. 1912 · DFG GH
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Median ~$707K–$825K
Accessible GWB proximity · +15–25% YoY appreciation
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~9,303 Residents · Dense Suburban
6,305/sq mi · 69.9% owner-occupied · arts culture
Commute & Connectivity
Getting There From Here
Leonia is one of Bergen County's closest residential communities to Manhattan — 4 miles to the GWB, 15–20 minutes by car off-peak, with NJ Transit bus service direct to Port Authority Bus Terminal.
NYC Port Authority (Bus)
NJ Transit routes 178, 182, 186 · direct service
~20–30
minutes by bus
Midtown Manhattan (Car)
Via GWB / Henry Hudson Pkwy · ~4 miles from GWB
~20–30
minutes by car (off-peak)
George Washington Bridge
Via Ft. Lee Rd / Palisade Ave · ~2 miles
~10–15
minutes to bridge approach
Newark Liberty Airport
Via I-95 S / NJ Tpk · ~18 miles
~20–25
minutes by car
Hackensack (County Seat)
Via Grand Ave / Teaneck Rd · ~5 miles
~12
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Leonia runs its own PreK–12 district with 3 schools, 2,087 students, and a strong 10.9:1 overall ratio — including Leonia High School, established 1912, consistently recognized for academics and arts.
| School | Grades | Type | Student:Teacher | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna C. Scott Elementary School Leonia Public Schools · 570 Grand Ave · PreK–5 |
PreK – 5 | Public | 10.9 : 1 | B+ |
| Leonia Middle School Leonia Public Schools · Grades 6–8 · also serves Edgewater 7–12 |
6 – 8 | Public | 10.9 : 1 | B+ |
| Leonia High School 100 Christie Heights St · 802 students · Lions · Est. 1912 |
9 – 12 | Public | 12.9 : 1 | B+ |
Leonia Public Schools: District Factor Group GH · 3 schools · 2,087 students · 10.9:1 overall ratio · GreatSchools 7/10. Leonia HS est. 1912 · 802 students · 12.9:1 · Lions · maroon and gray. District also serves Edgewater students in grades 7–12 via tuition agreement. Bergen County Academies (Hackensack, ~10 min) also accessible.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Leonia Leonia
Explore the Korean dining scene, Grand Avenue commercial corridor, the borough's deep arts heritage, local theater productions, and the genuinely cosmopolitan community life of Bergen County's "Athens of New Jersey."
Korean Dining & Markets
Leonia's 37% Asian population — primarily Korean-American — has produced an authentic Korean dining and market scene that is one of the borough's most distinctive characteristics. Korean restaurants, Korean bakeries, and Korean grocery markets on Grand Avenue and the surrounding commercial corridors give Leonia a genuine culinary identity that draws visitors from across Bergen County. This is not a niche offering — it is a defining community characteristic that reflects decades of Korean-American settlement in this GWB corridor community.
Korean · Authentic · Grand Ave · Community Identity
Grand Avenue Commercial Corridor
Leonia's Grand Avenue is the borough's commercial spine — a mix of Korean restaurants, local dining, cafés, shops, and services that reflects the borough's multicultural character. The Avenue does not have the polished character of Ridgewood or Westwood's downtowns, but it has something equally valuable: authenticity. Leonia's "Athens of New Jersey" identity is not suburban aspiration — it is the genuine product of a diverse, intellectual, culturally engaged community that has been here for decades.
Grand Ave · Mixed · Authentic · Multilingual
International Dining Diversity
With 40.8% foreign-born residents representing communities from Asia (25%) and Latin America (12%), Leonia's dining landscape extends well beyond Korean food. Latin American restaurants, Middle Eastern options, and other international cuisines accessible within the borough and in neighboring Palisades Park, Fort Lee, and Englewood give Leonia one of Bergen County's most genuinely global food environments within a 5-minute radius.
40.8% Foreign-Born · Global · International
Local Theater & Arts Events
Leonia's "Athens of New Jersey" identity is sustained by an active civic arts culture — local theater productions, arts events, and cultural programming that reflects the borough's historical tradition of attracting creative and intellectual residents. Bergen County's bergenPAC (Englewood) is 5 minutes away. Leonia's arts community is not historical nostalgia; it is a living characteristic of the borough's current character.
Local Theater · Arts Heritage · bergenPAC ~5 min
Fort Lee & Englewood Amenities (~5 min)
Fort Lee's extensive Korean restaurant district (one of the East Coast's largest), Englewood's bergenPAC performing arts center, and the broader Eastern Bergen retail and dining landscape are all within 5 minutes. Leonia's position at Bergen County's southeastern corner gives it access to an extraordinary range of amenities without requiring residents to travel far.
~5 min · Fort Lee · Englewood · bergenPAC
Manhattan Access (~20–30 min)
At 4 miles from the GWB approach and 15–20 minutes by car off-peak, Manhattan's full cultural, dining, and entertainment landscape is effectively part of Leonia's daily radius. With NJ Transit bus service directly to Port Authority in 20–30 minutes, residents can treat the city as a regular destination rather than an occasional excursion.
~20–30 min · Manhattan · GWB · Bus Direct
Leonia Borough Parks
Leonia maintains in-borough parks and recreational facilities — athletic fields, playgrounds, and open space — serving a dense residential community where 6,305 residents per square mile pack 1.51 square miles. The parks serve Leonia's active family population and reflect the borough's civic investment in outdoor recreation alongside its arts heritage. Youth sports leagues and community programs operate throughout the year.
In-Borough · Family · Youth Sports
Palisades & Nearby Natural Space (~5–10 min)
The Palisades Interstate Park — with Hudson River trails, scenic overlooks, and preserved natural space along the Palisades cliff edge — is approximately 5–10 minutes east via Fort Lee. For a dense eastern Bergen County community without significant in-borough wilderness, the Palisades provide accessible major outdoor recreation in a remarkably short drive from Leonia's residential streets.
~5–10 min · Palisades · Hudson River · Trails
bergenPAC — Englewood (~5 min)
The Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood — one of New Jersey's premier mid-sized performing arts venues with a 1,367-seat theater hosting national and international acts — is approximately 5 minutes north. For a borough that has historically attracted creative and intellectual residents, bergenPAC is the regional anchor for the performing arts access that Leonia's community character values.
~5 min · bergenPAC · National Acts · 1,367 Seats
Englewood Health (~5 min)
Englewood Health — one of NJ's top-ranked regional hospital systems — is approximately 5 minutes north. HackensackUMC is approximately 10 minutes west. Leonia's southeastern Bergen County position gives exceptional regional healthcare proximity — arguably the best hospital access of any GWB corridor community at this price point.
~5 min · Englewood Health · Top-Ranked · Exceptional
Leonia Public Library
Part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, serving one of Bergen County's most genuinely diverse communities — with multilingual collections reflecting Leonia's Korean, Latin American, Italian, and other international communities. The library's programming reflects the "Athens of New Jersey" cultural tradition, with strong arts and educational resources for a borough that has historically valued intellectual life.
Civic · BCCLS · Multilingual · Arts Heritage
"Athens of New Jersey" — Arts Heritage
Leonia's designation as the "Athens of New Jersey" reflects a genuine historical tradition of attracting artists, writers, academics, and intellectuals — a tradition that has shaped the borough's character, its school district's emphasis on arts and academics, and the community culture that makes Leonia feel different from other GWB corridor communities of similar size and price. The artistic heritage is not marketing; it is the product of generations of creative residents who chose this particular 1.51 square miles.
Athens of NJ · Genuine Heritage · Arts · Intellectual
37% Asian · 40.8% Foreign-Born — Deep Diversity
Leonia's demographic profile — 37% Asian (primarily Korean-American), 40.8% foreign-born, 25% Asia-born, 12% Latin America-born — represents one of Bergen County's most genuinely internationally diverse communities at this price point. The Korean-American community in particular has deep roots in Leonia, with established businesses, cultural organizations, churches, and community infrastructure that has grown over decades alongside the borough's historic Italian-American and other communities.
37% Asian · Korean Heritage · Multilingual · 40.8% Foreign-Born
Leonia High School — Est. 1912
Leonia High School was established in 1912 — one of Bergen County's earliest high schools — and for decades attracted students from seven other school districts on a tuition basis, reflecting the school's early academic reputation. The Lions (maroon and gray) compete in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference. The district's 10.9:1 overall ratio and consistent emphasis on arts and academics reflect the "Athens of New Jersey" cultural commitment at the institutional level.
Est. 1912 · Lions · Arts & Academics · NJIC
Grand Avenue Corridor — Korean & International Markets
Grand Avenue and Leonia's commercial strips provide in-borough grocery, Korean specialty markets, Asian food stores, and everyday retail — reflecting the borough's 37% Asian community. The combination of Korean grocery chains and mainstream supermarket access within the borough means that residents with international food preferences have in-borough options that most Bergen County communities cannot match.
Korean Markets · Grand Ave · International · In-Borough
Fort Lee & Palisades Park (~5 min)
Fort Lee's extensive commercial district — Korean restaurants, H-Mart and Korean grocery chains, major retail, and comprehensive everyday shopping — is approximately 5 minutes east. Palisades Park's dense commercial corridor (one of Bergen County's most internationally diverse) is similarly 5–10 minutes. Leonia's southeastern position gives extraordinary regional retail access in every direction.
~5 min · Fort Lee · H-Mart · Full Retail
Englewood Health (~5 min) · HackensackUMC (~10 min)
Englewood Health is approximately 5 minutes north — one of NJ's top-ranked hospital systems. HackensackUMC is approximately 10 minutes west. Leonia arguably has the best regional healthcare proximity of any GWB corridor residential community at its price point — two top-ranked systems within a 10-minute radius. Bergen Community College is also approximately 15 minutes west.
~5 min Englewood Health · ~10 min HackensackUMC
By the Numbers
Leonia at a Glance
Municipality Type
Borough
Bergen County · 1.51 sq mi · est. 1894
Population
~9,303
6,305/sq mi · 40.8% foreign-born
Median Sale Price
~$707K–$825K
Homes.com 12-mo $825K · +15% YoY
GWB Distance
4 miles
~10–15 min to bridge · Manhattan ~20–30 min
Asian Population
37%
Primarily Korean-American · diverse community
District Ratio
10.9 : 1
2,087 students · Leonia HS est. 1912
Zip Code
07605
Single zip borough
Nickname
Athens of New Jersey
Arts & cultural heritage · intellectual tradition
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Leonia
Buyers considering Leonia often explore these neighboring southeastern Bergen County and GWB corridor communities.
Englewood
Bordering · bergenPAC · East Hill · diverse city
→
Teaneck
Bordering · diverse · strong schools
→
Palisades Park
Bordering · Korean community · NJ Transit
→
Fort Lee
Adjacent · GWB · Korean · high-rise · schools
→
Englewood Cliffs
Nearby · low tax rate · Palisades · luxury
→
Bergenfield
Nearby · diverse · NJ Transit · accessible
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Hackensack
Nearby · county seat · BCA · most affordable
→
Fairview
Nearby · GWB corridor · most accessible entry
→
New Milford
Nearby · affordable · family · NJ Transit
→Demographics
Data provided by Attom Data
Population
Employment
Population
9K
9K in 2020
Density
5.6K
per square mile
Households
3.3K
36 With Children
Gender
47% / 53%
Men Vs Women
Occupancy
65% / 35%
Owned Vs Rented
Age Median: -- Years
No Data
Education Level
No Data
Educational Environment
Elementary Schools (1)Middle Schools (2)High Schools (2)
Name
Category
Grades
Library
Ratio
8/10
Anna Scott Elementary School
100 Highland St, Leonia, NJ 07605
Public
PK - 5
No
11:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
Amenities & Attractions
Featured Listings
For Sale (40)
For Sold (377)
New4 Beds2 Baths318 Beechwood PL, Leonia, NJ 07605
MLS# 26022655
Listed by Peter H. Lee of RE/MAX Competitive Edge
New3 Beds2 Baths133 Highwood AVE, Leonia, NJ 07605
MLS# 26023821
Listed by Scott Selleck of Keller Williams City Views Realty
New2 Beds1 Bath180 Hillside AVE #K1, Leonia, NJ 07605
MLS# 26010905
Listed by Lili Wang of United Real Estate
New5 Beds3 Baths329 Glenwood AVE, Leonia, NJ 07605
MLS# 26023529
Listed by Rosemarie Bracco of Cavalier Realty Group
New2 Beds4 Baths82 Meadowview CT, Leonia, NJ 07605
MLS# 26020425
Listed by Elaine J. Lim of Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty-Englewood Cliffs
New4 Beds3 Baths561 Grand AVE, Leonia, NJ 07605
MLS# 26024574
Listed by Gordon F. Tsang of Acre NJ LLC
Similar Neighborhood
Common Questions
Leonia, NJ — Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and daily life in Leonia — the "Athens of New Jersey," 4 miles from Manhattan, with a thriving Korean-American community (37% Asian), its own PreK–12 district with a 10.9:1 ratio, a $707K–$825K median home, and Englewood Health 5 minutes away.
Leonia is a somewhat competitive market with strong recent appreciation. Homes.com 12-month median sale is $825,000 (up 15% YoY). Redfin showed $729K (November 2025, up 25.7%). Zillow home value index is $780,000 (up 2.0%). Movoto reported $639K in January 2026 — the low-volume month creates variance. The true working range is approximately $707K–$825K for typical homes. DOM ranges from 38 days (Homes.com) to 62–84 days depending on source and season. Leonia's unique position — 4 miles from the GWB, 37% Korean-American community, arts heritage, own PreK–12 district — creates a specific and motivated buyer pool that keeps the market active. Talk to us about current Leonia market conditions →
The practical range: smaller capes and ranches: $550K–$700K. Standard colonials: $700K–$900K. Larger or updated homes: $900K–$1.1M+. City-Data's median estimated value is $707,895 (2024) with detached houses averaging $799,456. Leonia's housing mix — 61% single-family, 14% large apartment buildings, 13% duplexes — means a range of price points for different buyer types. The single-family stock is the primary driver of the median. For GWB proximity at this price point, Leonia offers Bergen County's most compelling combination of Manhattan access, school quality, and cultural character.
Leonia's housing is more diverse than most Bergen County communities: single-family detached homes (61%, the dominant type) — Colonials, Cape Cods, and ranches, many with historic character from the borough's early 20th century development. Large apartment buildings (17.6%) — reflecting the borough's density and urban character near the GWB. Duplexes and converted apartments (13.4%) — popular with buyers seeking rental income or multi-generational living. Row houses and attached homes (7.7%). The 69.9% owner-occupancy rate is solid for a community with this housing diversity. The Bergen Real Estate guide describes "architectural styles including colonials, cape cods, and ranches, with many properties offering historic charm alongside modern updates" — accurate for the single-family stock that most buyers seek.
Leonia's commute infrastructure is one of its defining advantages. The borough is 4 miles from Manhattan and approximately 10–15 minutes from the GWB approach by car. Midtown Manhattan by car is approximately 20–30 minutes off-peak. NJ Transit buses 178, 182, and 186 run direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 20–30 minutes — some of the fastest bus times in Bergen County at this price point. Average commute time for Leonia residents is 30.5 minutes. There is no in-borough train station; commuters use the bus or car. For buyers who work in Lower Manhattan or Midtown and want Bergen County's most accessible residential option at a sub-$900K median, Leonia's GWB proximity is difficult to match.
Leonia's own PreK–12 district is a primary buyer demand driver. The Leonia Public Schools — 3 schools, 2,087 students, 10.9:1 overall ratio, District Factor Group GH — serves the borough's diverse student population with an emphasis on academics and arts consistent with the borough's "Athens of New Jersey" identity. Leonia High School (100 Christie Heights Street, Lions, est. 1912, 802 students, 12.9:1) has a long academic tradition — it was one of Bergen County's earliest high schools and for decades attracted students from seven neighboring districts on a tuition basis. Movoto rates the district 7/10 on GreatSchools. Bergen County Academies (Hackensack, approximately 10 minutes) accessible for qualifying students.
Leonia's general tax rate is 3.409%. The official 2024 average residential tax bill is $15,015 (NJ Division of Taxation data) — above the Bergen County average of $13,600 but moderate for its GWB proximity tier. City-Data reports median tax paid of approximately $10,001 (2024) — this lower figure reflects the mix of lower-assessed condos and apartments pulling the median down. On a $750K single-family home, expect approximately $20,000–$25,000 per year. On a $825K home, approximately $22,000–$28,000. Tax bills due quarterly: February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1.
The GWB corridor comparison buyers in this price range are making: Fort Lee — GWB at border, median $399K–$670K (condo-heavy), tax rate 2.607%, strong Korean community, A+ schools, condos dominate. Fairview — GWB corridor, median $537K–$678K, 2.275% rate, primarily rental/multifamily. Englewood — median ~$575K–$678K, 3.073% rate, bergenPAC, diverse city character. Leonia — 4 miles from GWB, median $707K–$825K, 3.409% rate, 37% Korean-American, arts heritage, own PreK–12 district, 10.9:1 ratio. Leonia is the most expensive of these GWB-corridor alternatives but delivers the best school district, strongest cultural identity, and most established single-family residential character. For buyers who want SFH ownership at GWB proximity with real school quality, Leonia is the most complete option at this price point.
Yes. The 15–25% YoY appreciation (Homes.com, Redfin, November 2025) reflects growing recognition of Leonia's value — particularly among Korean-American buyers relocating from Fort Lee and Palisades Park who specifically want the Leonia school district and cultural community. The borough's unique positioning — "Athens of New Jersey" arts heritage, strong Korean-American community infrastructure, GWB access, and own PreK–12 district — creates a buyer pool that is specific, motivated, and willing to pay for the combination. Spring (March–May) is the strongest season. Get a free Leonia home valuation →
Homes.com reports 38-day average DOM; Movoto reported 62 days (January 2026). The gap reflects the borough's mixed housing stock — well-priced single-family homes in good condition move in 3–5 weeks in spring; condos and apartments in older buildings take longer. The key selling messages for Leonia SFH: 4 miles from GWB, NJ Transit bus direct to Port Authority, own PreK–12 district with 10.9:1 ratio, 37% Korean-American community infrastructure, and the "Athens of New Jersey" cultural character that specifically attracts buyers who value the borough's unique combination of GWB proximity and cultural depth. Learn how we sell homes in Leonia →
Leonia is Bergen County living at its most culturally layered. The "Athens of New Jersey" nickname reflects a genuine historical tradition of artists and intellectuals who chose this particular southeastern corner of Bergen County — a tradition that shaped the school district's emphasis on arts and academics, the local theater culture, and the community character that persists today. The 37% Korean-American community has added a layer of authentic cultural depth — Korean restaurants, markets, churches, and community organizations that give Grand Avenue a character no amount of suburban planning can manufacture. The GWB bus takes 20–30 minutes to Port Authority. Englewood Health is 5 minutes north. bergenPAC is 5 minutes away. Fort Lee's Korean dining district is 5 minutes east. And the school district, in operation since 1912, has been educating the children of artists, immigrants, professionals, and academics through every wave of Leonia's evolution. At $707K–$825K for a single-family home 4 miles from Manhattan, Leonia is Bergen County's most undervalued cultural community — and the buyers who find it tend to stay.