Demarest, NJ
Bergen County's Northern Valley luxury enclave — home to NVD High School (Niche #1 NJ district for 2026), 19.6% Korean-American population, and the #1 home appreciation rate in New Jersey for 2026 (Zillow ZHVI +15.6% YoY).
Redfin Median Sale
$1.78M
+0.8% YoY (Redfin Jan 2026)
ZHVI YoY
+15.6%
#1 in NJ for 2026 appreciation
NVD High School
A+
On-campus · #19 NJ · #1 district
Korean American
19.6%
30.66% Asian-American
Community Overview
Demarest is a small Bergen County borough of approximately 4,919 residents in the Northern Valley region — eight miles north of the George Washington Bridge. The borough is best known as the home of Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest (NVD), one of New Jersey's top-ranked public high schools, which serves Demarest, Closter, Haworth, and Harrington Park via sending/receiving relationships.
Demarest has one of the highest concentrations of Korean-American residents in Bergen County — 19.6% Korean ancestry per the 2020 Census, with 30.66% total Asian-American. The combination drives a deep cluster of Korean grocery, dining, and academic-tutoring businesses along the Demarest/Closter/Cresskill corridor. Median household income is $208,036 (2024, up sharply from $175,078 in 2023).
The 2026 market is exceptional: Zillow ZHVI grew +15.6% YoY (Feb 2025-Feb 2026) — the #1 appreciation rate in New Jersey, more than 4x the statewide +3.5% average. Redfin January 2026 median is $1,775,000 (+0.8% YoY); trailing 12-month median is $1.6M (+31%). Active listings include $5.4M+ estates on Hardenburgh Avenue. Days on market run ~79 — slower than NJ overall, reflecting the price tier rather than weak demand.
Education
Demarest operates a K-8 district. High school students attend Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest (NVD) — physically on the borough's campus. NVD is Niche A+ #19 best public HS in NJ, with math 62% / reading 75% proficient (vs. 38%/49% NJ averages). NVRHS parent district ranks Niche #1 in NJ for 2026.
County Road School (PK-1)
191 students. Niche A-.
Luther Lee Emerson (2-4)
GreatSchools 7/10. Math 77% / Reading 82% proficient.
Demarest Middle School
Grades 5-8.
NVD High School
1,022 students; Niche A+ #19 NJ; #281 of 20,162 nationally.
Transportation & Commute
Demarest has no train station. NJ Transit Bus Route 165 (and 165 Turnpike Express) connects to Port Authority Bus Terminal. Driving to Manhattan via GWB: Demarest sits 8 miles north of the bridge; about 13 minutes to the GWB Bus Station off-peak. Peak commute is typically 35-55 minutes. Walk Score: 21-31 (Car-Dependent) — Demarest is a single-family suburban environment.
Drive to GWB
~13 min
Bus 165
~37 min
Distance to GWB
8 miles
Demographics & Community
Demarest is a small, highly affluent borough — approximately 4,919 residents per the 2020 Census. Median household income climbed from $175,078 (2023) to $208,036 (2024). The community is 65.97% White and 30.66% Asian, with Korean Americans specifically representing 19.6% of the population — among the highest concentrations of Korean Americans in any New Jersey suburb.
Population
4,919
Median Income
$208,036
Median Age
~45
Korean American
19.6%
Asian American
30.66%
Family Poverty
~1.4%
Dining & Lifestyle
Demarest's dining scene is lower-density than larger neighbors but extends seamlessly into the regional Korean cluster along Closter Plaza, Cresskill, and Closter Dock Rd — one of the largest authentic Korean dining hubs on the East Coast. Old Hook Road / County Road corridors host neighborhood retail. NVOT and NVD theatre productions are well-regarded regionally. Country clubs nearby include Alpine Country Club and White Beeches CC (Haworth).
Korean cluster (regional)
Spans Closter Plaza, Cresskill, Closter Dock Rd
Old Hook Road / County Road
Neighborhood dining and retail corridors
NVOT / NVD theatre productions
Regionally regarded high school theater
Alpine CC / White Beeches
Private club dining nearby
Bergen Korean dining
Bakeries, BBQ, soondubu, jjajangmyeon
Cresskill / Tenafly options
Diverse short-drive dining cluster
2026 Market Insights
Demarest leads NJ in 2026 home appreciation: Zillow ZHVI grew +15.6% YoY (Feb 2025-Feb 2026) — the highest in the state, more than 4x the statewide +3.5% average. Redfin's January 2026 median sale price was $1,775,000 (+0.8% YoY); the most recent month showed +10.1% YoY growth. Trailing 12-month median is $1.6M (+31% YoY).
School-driven demand dominates: NVRHS district was ranked #1 in NJ for 2026 by Niche, with NVD at A+. Korean-American buyer demographic that prioritizes the district drives a structural demand floor. Limited supply — only ~65 homes traded in the past 12 months in a town of <5,000 residents — keeps inventory structurally tight.
Days on market run ~79 — slower than the statewide average, reflecting the price tier ($1.5M+) rather than weak demand. Active listings include estates as high as $5,395,000 (373 Hardenburgh Avenue, 8BR/8.5BA). The Korean-American community concentration (19.6% Korean / 30.66% Asian) continues to grow and drives both residential demand and the Closter/Demarest commercial corridor.
Real Estate Snapshot
Source: Redfin (Jan 2026), Zillow (Feb 2026 ZHVI), Homes.com
Neighborhoods
Hardenburgh Avenue (East Hill)
Demarest's most prestigious street — recent listings $3M-$5.4M+ (e.g., 373 Hardenburgh: $5,395,000 8BR/8.5BA). Large estate lots, custom builds, pools.
$3M – $5.4M+
County Road / Anderson Ave (Central)
Traditional colonials and mid-century homes — the borough's mainstream luxury tier.
$1.2M – $2.2M
Upper Demarest (Closter Border)
Newer construction and tear-down rebuilds in the borough's northern section.
$1.8M – $3.5M
Cresskill Border (Southern)
Mid-tier of the market — older homes $900K-$1.6M; renovated/new builds $2M+.
$900K – $2M+
Quick Profile
Points of Interest
Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest
EducationThe receiving high school for Demarest, Closter, Haworth, and Harrington Park — physically located in Demarest. Niche A+ #19 NJ; NVRHS parent district is Niche #1 in NJ for 2026.
Demarest Nature Center
Nature50+ acres of wooded trails and ponds — quiet preserve at the heart of the borough.
Wakelee Field & Duck Pond Park
ParkYouth sports and family use — community gathering spaces.
Demarest Free Public Library
CivicActive community programming, BCCLS member.
Palisades Interstate Park
RecreationHudson cliff hiking and views just east of the borough.
Alpine Country Club / White Beeches CC
Country ClubPrivate golf clubs nearby (Alpine and Haworth) — long-established membership clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical home price in Demarest in 2026?
Redfin's January 2026 median sale price is $1,775,000 (+0.8% YoY); the most recent month reads ~$1.8M (+10.1% YoY). Median price/sqft is $537 (+11.6%). The trailing 12-month median reached $1.6M (+31% YoY). Most strikingly, Demarest's Zillow ZHVI grew 15.6% YoY (Feb 2025-Feb 2026) — the #1 appreciation rate in New Jersey, more than 4x the statewide average. Active listings include estates as high as $5,395,000 (373 Hardenburgh Ave, 8BR/8.5BA).
How are Demarest schools rated?
Demarest operates K-8: County Road School (PK-1, 191 students, Niche A-) and Luther Lee Emerson School (grades 2-4, GreatSchools 7/10, math 77%/reading 82% proficient). Demarest Middle School covers grades 5-8. High school: Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest (NVD) is physically located in the borough — Niche A+ #19 NJ, math 62%/reading 75% (vs. 38%/49% NJ averages). NVRHS parent district ranks Niche #1 in NJ for 2026.
How long is the commute from Demarest to Manhattan?
Demarest has no train station. NJ Transit Bus Route 165 (and 165 Turnpike Express) runs from Old Hook Rd / Sand Rd to Port Authority Bus Terminal — local 165 ~6AM-10PM, Turnpike Express ~12PM-10PM. Driving to Manhattan via GWB: Demarest sits 8 miles north of the bridge; ~13-minute drive to GWB Bus Station. Manhattan-bound peak commute typically 35-55 minutes. Walk Score: 21-31 (Car-Dependent).
Why do Korean-American families choose Demarest?
Demarest has one of the highest Korean-American population shares in Bergen County — 19.6% Korean ancestry per the 2020 Census, with 30.66% total Asian-American. The combination of NVD high school (top-ranked NJ district), small-town K-8 schools, large estate lots, and proximity to the Korean dining/grocery corridor in Closter and Cresskill makes Demarest a top destination for Korean families seeking a luxury suburban environment with cultural infrastructure.
What is the demographic profile of Demarest?
Demarest has approximately 4,919 residents (2020 Census, ~4,900-4,950 currently). Median household income jumped from $175,078 (2023) to $208,036 (2024). Median age is approximately 45. Race/ethnicity: 65.97% White, 30.66% Asian, 19.6% Korean ancestry specifically. Family poverty rate: ~1.4%.
What is the 2026 Demarest outlook?
Demarest leads NJ in 2026 home appreciation — Zillow ZHVI +15.6% YoY, more than 4x the statewide average of +3.5%. The combination of structural drivers — Niche #1 NJ school district at NVD, Korean-American buyer demographic that prioritizes the district, and limited supply (only ~65 homes traded in 12 months) — keeps demand high. Days on market run ~79 days, slower than NJ average reflecting the price tier ($1.5M+) rather than weak demand.
Data Sources & References
Real Estate: Redfin Demarest (2026), Zillow ZHVI / Patch ZIP-level analysis (Apr 2026), Homes.com.
Schools: Niche NVD 2026, GreatSchools Luther Lee Emerson, Public School Review.
Demographics: U.S. Census, Wikipedia, Data USA, Point2Homes.
Transit: NJ Transit Bus 165, Walk Score, Rome2Rio.
Data refreshed May 2026. Verify with a licensed agent before any real estate decision.
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