Closter, NJ
Bergen County's Northern Valley enclave — 21.2% Korean-American (one of NJ's most concentrated Korean communities), Niche A K-8 district, NVD A+ receiving high school (#1 NJ district for 2026), and EDENS-redeveloped Closter Plaza anchoring downtown lifestyle.
Redfin Median Sale
$1.5M
+4.6% YoY (Redfin 2026)
Days on Market
65-82
Tightening vs 2025
NVD High School
A+
#1 NJ district 2026 (Niche)
Korean American
21.2%
32.2% Asian-American total
Community Overview
Closter is a 3.2-square-mile borough in Bergen County's Northern Valley with approximately 8,730 residents. The community has been one of the most prominent Korean-American hubs in the United States since the 1990s — Korean ancestry was 21.2% per the 2010 Census, and the population has continued to grow into the 2020s. Total Asian-American share is 32.2%; foreign-born residents make up 32.4%. Median household income is $190,469.
Closter operates its own K-8 district (Niche A; ranked #35 of 645 NJ districts), and high school students feed into Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest — Niche A+ and ranked #19 best public HS in NJ, with the parent NVRHS district ranked #1 in NJ for 2026 by Niche. This combination of Korean-American community + top-feeder school district drives a steady demand floor that has kept Closter outperforming Bergen County overall in 2026.
The 2026 market is moving — Redfin's median sale price is $1.5M (+4.6% YoY) with price/sqft up 13.6% (+$500). Zillow's typical-home ZHVI of $855,641 (+1.4% YoY) covers the broader stock including smaller homes. Days on market tightened to 65-82 from 96 prior year. EDENS-redeveloped Closter Plaza (Whole Foods, Target, HomeGoods, Cinemex, Lululemon) anchors downtown lifestyle. Borders include Cresskill (south), Demarest (south), Northvale (north), Alpine (east).
Education
Closter Public Schools serve K-8 — Niche A district with 1,211 students, math 72% / reading 82% proficient (vs. 38%/49% NJ averages). Ranked #35 of 645 NJ districts. High school students feed into Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest, Niche A+ #19 best public HS in NJ; NVRHS parent district is Niche #1 in NJ for 2026.
Hillside Elementary (K-4)
GreatSchools 9/10. Ranked #96 of 1,347 NJ elementary schools.
Tenakill Middle School (5-8)
GreatSchools 8/10. Ranked #21 of 752 NJ middle schools.
Village Elementary School
Niche A. Ranked #106 best NJ public elementary (2026).
NVD High School
Niche A+, #19 NJ. NVRHS district #1 in NJ for 2026.
Transportation & Commute
Closter has no train station. NJ Transit Bus 177 from Schraalenburgh Rd at High St runs to Port Authority in roughly 51 minutes (~$6 fare). Driving to Midtown via GWB takes 30-45 minutes off-peak. Walk Score downtown (Vervalen St area) reaches 72-79 (Very Walkable); residential streets like Union St (29) and Alpine Dr (18) are car-dependent. Distance: 19 road miles to Port Authority via GWB.
Drive (off-peak)
30-45 min
Bus 177
~51 min
Distance
19 miles
Demographics & Community
Closter is one of the most concentrated Korean-American suburbs in the United States — Korean ancestry was 21.2% per the 2010 Census, with the community continuing to grow. Total Asian-American share is 32.2%, with 32.4% of residents foreign-born. Median household income is $190,469, 66.3% bachelor's-or-higher attainment, median age 40.3.
Population
8,730
Median Income
$190,469
Bachelor's+
66.3%
Korean-American
21.2%
Asian-American
32.2%
Foreign-born
32.4%
Dining & Lifestyle
Closter Plaza (45 Vervalen St), redeveloped by EDENS in 2016, anchors downtown lifestyle with Whole Foods Market, Target, HomeGoods, Cinemex theater, and Lululemon. La Tabatiere combines Korean and French bakery influences; Red Maple Luncheonette has been a downtown diner institution for 30+ years. The Korean dining cluster extends along Piermont Rd into adjacent Tenafly and Cresskill — where the largest authentic Korean restaurant scene in Bergen County sits.
La Tabatiere
Korean-French fusion bakery
Red Maple Luncheonette
30+ year diner institution
Whole Foods Market
Premium grocery + prepared foods (Closter Plaza)
Korean cluster (Piermont Rd corridor)
Multiple authentic Korean spots extending into Tenafly/Cresskill
Closter Plaza Restaurant Row
Restaurants and cafes across the redeveloped center
Italian dining options
Multiple trattoria-style spots
2026 Market Insights
Closter's 2026 market is outperforming Bergen County overall. Redfin's $1.5M median (+4.6% YoY) and $500/sqft (+13.6%) compare favorably to Bergen's $760K median (+1.7%). Days on market tightened from 96 to 65-82 — paradoxically, prices rose and inventory moved faster simultaneously, indicating tightening conditions. Zillow's typical-home ZHVI of $855,641 (+1.4% YoY) reflects the broader stock including smaller homes.
Demand is structurally driven by two pillars: the NVD school district halo (Niche #1 in NJ for 2026) and the Korean-American community gravity. NVD-feeder zones see the strongest demand, particularly Tamcrest-style new construction in $2M+ range. Statewide forecast 2-4% appreciation; Closter is tracking ahead.
Real Estate Snapshot
Source: Redfin, Zillow, Movoto (2026)
Neighborhoods
East Hill (Alpine border)
The borough's most prestigious section — custom estates, larger lots, often $2M-$3M+.
$2M – $3M+
Northern Closter
Closer to golf course and Northvale — mix of mid-century single-family and newer construction.
$1M – $2M
Southern Closter (Demarest border)
Established single-family streets feeding NVD HS — premium pricing.
$1.2M – $2M
Downtown / Vervalen / Closter Dock Rd
Most walkable section — Walk Score 72-79, older homes mixed with newer townhome-style product.
$650K – $1M
Quick Profile
Points of Interest
Closter Plaza (EDENS)
ShoppingOpen-air retail center redeveloped 2016 — Whole Foods Market, Target, HomeGoods, Cinemex, Lululemon. The borough's primary lifestyle anchor.
Closter Nature Center
Nature136-acre preserve with trails, ponds, education programs.
Closter Golf Course
Golf18-hole championship + par-3 + driving range — north Closter.
Memorial Field & Ruckman Park
ParkCommunity sports/playground complex — equipped with lightning detectors. Mollicone and Schauble Parks supplement.
Schraalenburgh Park
RecreationHiking, biking, fishing in south Closter — connects to Cresskill border.
Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest
EducationReceiving high school for Closter — Niche A+, #19 NJ, ranked #1 in NJ at the district level for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Closter in 2026?
Redfin's most recent median sale price for Closter is $1.5M (+4.6% YoY) with median price/sqft at $500 (+13.6%). Zillow's home value index is $855,641 (+1.4% YoY) — typical homes including smaller stock; the Redfin number reflects single-family closings. Movoto's 12-month median is $1.20M (+2%). Luxury segment (~20 active listings) median list $1.57M.
How are Closter schools rated?
Closter operates its own K-8 district — Niche grade A; 1,211 students, district math 72% / reading 82% (vs. 38%/49% NJ averages); ranked #35 of 645 NJ districts (top ~5%). Hillside Elementary GreatSchools 9/10 (top 7% NJ); Tenakill MS GreatSchools 8/10 (top 3% NJ middle schools). High school students attend NVD — Niche A+ #19 in NJ, NVRHS district #1 in NJ for 2026.
How long is the commute from Closter to Manhattan?
Closter has no train station. NJ Transit Bus 177 from Schraalenburgh Rd at High St runs to Port Authority in roughly 51 minutes (~$6 fare). Driving to Midtown via GWB takes 30-45 minutes off-peak; significantly longer in rush hour. Walk Score downtown (Vervalen St area) reaches 72-79; residential streets are car-dependent. Distance: 19 road miles to Port Authority.
What is the Korean-American community like in Closter?
Closter is one of the most concentrated Korean-American suburbs in the United States — Korean ancestry was 21.2% per the 2010 Census, with the community continuing to grow into the 2020s. Total Asian-American population is 32.2%. Korean restaurants, bakeries, professional services concentrate along Piermont Rd corridor extending into adjacent Tenafly and Cresskill, and Korean churches and Hangul schools are well-established.
What is the demographic profile of Closter?
Closter has approximately 8,730 residents (2024 estimate) with a median household income of $190,469 (2024). 66.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median age is 40.3, foreign-born 32.4%. Race/ethnicity: 47.8% White, 32.2% Asian, 9.9% Hispanic. The Korean-American share (21.2% per 2010 Census) is among the highest in NJ.
What is the 2026 Closter outlook?
Closter prices rose ~4.6% YoY into spring 2026, outpacing many Bergen County peers (Bergen overall +1.7% at $760K median). Days on market improved to 65-82 (vs. 96 prior year), indicating tighter conditions despite higher pricing. Demand drivers: NVD school district halo (#1 NJ district 2026), Korean-American community gravity, NVD-feeder zones especially. Statewide forecast 2-4% appreciation; Closter tracking ahead with double-digit price/sqft growth.
Data Sources & References
Real Estate: Redfin Closter (2026), Zillow ZHVI (2026), Movoto market trends, Public School Review.
Schools: Niche Closter District 2026, Niche NVD 2026, GreatSchools.org, Public School Review (2026).
Demographics: Data USA, U.S. Census QuickFacts, Wikipedia.
Transit: NJ Transit Bus 177, Walk Score, Rome2Rio.
Data refreshed May 2026. Verify with a licensed agent before any real estate decision.
Compare Closter with…
Side-by-side 2026 stats — prices, schools, commute, demographics.