The western and central neighborhoods form a compact traditional borough with schools, churches, parks, local businesses and municipal services.
Bergen County · Meadowlands, Hackensack River & South Bergen
Carlstadt, New Jersey
Carlstadt is a borough of contrasts: an established residential community of about 6,400 people sits beside one of North Jersey's largest industrial, warehouse, transportation and commercial districts, all within the broader Meadowlands.
The borough also has an unexpectedly strong visitor side. River Barge Park and Marina opens the Hackensack River to the public, the New York Society of Model Engineers maintains a nationally significant model-railroad tradition, Village Green hosts community events, and nearby Meadowlands destinations place Carlstadt close to major sports and entertainment.
CountyBergen County
2026 MayorBob Zimmermann
Borough Hall500 Madison Street
Public SchoolPre-K–8
High SchoolHenry P. Becton Regional
WaterfrontHackensack River
Main Visitor SiteRiver Barge Park
TransitNJ Transit buses
Explore Carlstadt
Carlstadt clearly supports a complete seven-page NJTGO set because its business and employment footprint is far larger than its residential population alone would suggest.
Business & ShoppingIndustrial Road, Commerce Road, Gotham Parkway, Broad Street, Washington Avenue, River Road and neighborhood services.
Food & DrinkRestaurants, cafés, taverns, bakeries, takeout and dining serving residents, workers and Meadowlands visitors.
Real EstateHomes, rentals, taxes, industrial/commercial property, flood review, permits, schools and commuting.
Visiting & LodgingRiver Barge Park, model railroads, Village Green, Meadowlands attractions, nearby hotels and transportation.
ClassifiedsCommunity marketplace, garage sales, local notices, lost and found, pets and resident submissions.
JobsBorough, schools, logistics, warehousing, food distribution, manufacturing, services and Meadowlands employment.
Carlstadt at a glance
The U.S. Census counted 6,372 residents in 2020 and estimates 6,410 residents in 2025. Carlstadt's economy, however, extends far beyond the resident population because so much of the borough lies within the Meadowlands business district.
Large commercial and industrial areas east and south of the residential neighborhoods support warehousing, distribution, transportation, manufacturing, wholesale and office activity.
Carlstadt sits immediately beside East Rutherford and the Meadowlands sports/entertainment district, with Route 17, Route 120, the New Jersey Turnpike and regional highways close by.
Transportation and warehousing receipts reported by the Census for 2022.
Total retail sales reported for 2022.
Median household income, 2020–2024.
Mean commute time for workers, 2020–2024.
From village to Meadowlands borough
Carlstadt's civic identity predates Bergen County's famous 1894 wave of borough incorporations.
1860Carlstadt was formed as a village on March 12 within Lodi Township.
1894The Borough of Carlstadt was incorporated on June 27 and formally separated from Bergen Township during the county's “Boroughitis” era.
1900sRail, road and industrial development increasingly tied Carlstadt to the growing Meadowlands manufacturing and distribution economy.
TodayThe borough balances a traditional residential community with one of South Bergen's most intensive commercial and logistics districts.
Carlstadt Historical SocietyThe Historical Society remains active in 2026 and meets at the Carlstadt Community Center. Historic exhibits have traditionally been maintained in the upper level of the 1919 firehouse on Sixth Street; confirm current public-access arrangements before visiting.
Official Carlstadt History
River Barge Park & Marina
River Barge Park is one of Carlstadt's strongest public attractions and one of the best places in southern Bergen County to experience the Hackensack River directly.
The NJSEA describes River Barge Park as a 5.5-acre urban riverfront park at 260 Outwater Lane, open daily from dawn to dusk.
The park includes a public boat ramp, paddling and fishing dock and marina facilities, providing direct recreational access to the Meadowlands estuary.
Native plantings, river views and the surrounding estuary make the park a useful bird-watching and environmental-learning destination.
In the 1940s the property formed part of Sky Harbor, a seaplane base that trained hundreds of aviators during World War II.
The site later became home to the well-known Barge Club restaurant. Nautical and regional artifacts from that era remain incorporated into the park.
River Barge Park serves as a launch point for NJSEA-guided Hackensack River pontoon tours explaining Meadowlands ecology and history.
Current park basicsRiver Barge Park is open dawn to dusk. Parking and boat trailers must use designated areas, and organized activities require NJSEA approval. Check current NJSEA rules before planning a group visit or launch.
NJSEA River Barge Park
The Meadowlands side of Carlstadt
Carlstadt is inseparable from the Meadowlands economy. East of the residential neighborhoods, broad commercial roads and industrial properties support distribution, warehousing, wholesale trade, transportation, food businesses, manufacturing and service companies.
Major employment corridors with warehouses, distribution operations and regional business facilities.
Large-format industrial and service properties sit close to Route 17, Route 120 and Meadowlands transportation infrastructure.
Closer to the residential core, traditional local businesses, restaurants and neighborhood services create a different commercial environment.
The major sports and concert venue lies immediately next door in East Rutherford, creating visitor and hospitality demand throughout the area.
The regional shopping and entertainment complex is also next door in East Rutherford and adds retail, dining and entertainment traffic to the Meadowlands.
Carlstadt's industrial geography and highway access make transportation, logistics and warehouse employment especially important to the local economy.
Parks, Village Green & recreation
4th Street and Broad Street. Community green space used for Borough events, including the 2026 summer concert program.
Neighborhood park on Hoboken Road serving the residential side of Carlstadt.
Local athletic facilities support youth and adult recreation programs and organized sports.
Regional riverfront recreation and environmental destination managed through the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
The Recreation Department offers basketball, soccer, wrestling, roller hockey, baseball, softball, football, cheering, dance and summer recreation.
The Borough planned six evening concerts at Village Green during the 2026 season, with final dates and weather plans handled through municipal announcements.
New York Society of Model Engineers
One of Carlstadt's most distinctive attractions is the New York Society of Model Engineers at 341 Hoboken Road. The organization was founded in 1926 and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026.
The Society maintains two major operating model-railroad displays and preserves model-railroad skills, railroad history and engineering traditions.
Current Society information says visitors may stop in on Wednesday evenings after 7 PM, and larger public shows are held at scheduled times during the year.
Public show dates include spring events, a Halloween show in October and winter shows in late November and December. Confirm current hours before traveling.
Carlstadt schools
Pre-K through grade 8
550 Washington Street
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
201-672-3000
Grades 9–12
120 Paterson Avenue
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
201-935-3007
Becton Regional currently serves students from Carlstadt, East Rutherford and Maywood and offers honors, AP, dual-enrollment, internship and career-exploration opportunities.
Registration, calendars, programs and district information.
Carlstadt SchoolsGrades 9–12 programs, curriculum and high-school information.
Becton Regional High SchoolWilliam E. Dermody Free Public Library
Carlstadt's BCCLS member library is located at 420 Hackensack Street and provides residents with local and systemwide library services.
Membership provides access to the broader Bergen County Cooperative Library System and shared catalog.
BCCLS currently lists regular Monday–Thursday hours to 9 PM, Friday to 5 PM and Saturday to 2 PM, with summer Saturday closures in July and August.
The library supports reading, research, technology and local programming within the borough's residential center.
NJ Transit & commuting
Carlstadt does not have a passenger rail station, but several NJ Transit bus routes serve the borough and its Meadowlands employment district.
Current NJ Transit service includes Commerce Boulevard trips in Carlstadt, supporting both New York commuting and employment access.
These routes serve the residential side of Carlstadt and provide New York-bound regional connections through South Bergen.
Local service includes a Carlstadt stop at Gotham Parkway and Veterans Boulevard, linking the Meadowlands with Passaic, Paterson and Haledon.
Rutherford and Wood-Ridge provide nearby NJ Transit rail options for travelers who prefer train service.
Route 17, Route 120, I-80 and the New Jersey Turnpike are central to Carlstadt's regional business and commuting role.
Current 2026 NJ Transit alerts have included Carlstadt detours on Route 161 and Routes 163/164, so check service before traveling.
Community organizations & local life
Local-history organization continuing regular meetings and preservation work.
Active senior organization using the Carlstadt Community Center for regular programs.
Veterans organizations remain part of Carlstadt's Community Center schedule and civic life.
Longstanding service-club tradition supporting community programs and charitable activity.
Dance Theatre Workshop and organized youth sports use municipal facilities throughout the year.
The New York Society of Model Engineers adds a unique railroad-history and technical-education organization to the borough.
Borough government
Carlstadt uses New Jersey's Borough form of government. Current Borough information lists Bob Zimmermann as Mayor.
500 Madison Street
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
201-939-2850
Bob Zimmermann
201-438-4300
Diane DeBiase · Joseph Emerson · Suzanne Fonseca · James Lenoy · Will Roseman · David Stoltz.
105 Kero Road · 201-939-2857 · Monday–Friday municipal operations and sanitation services.
Mayor & Council meetings are scheduled throughout 2026 at Borough Hall; verify the current calendar for exact dates and times.
Current news, departments, notices, meetings and municipal forms.
Borough of CarlstadtPolice information, permits and emergency/non-emergency contacts.
Carlstadt PoliceSeasonal sports and resident recreation programs.
Recreation DepartmentNearby communities & destinations
Immediate neighbor with Becton Regional High School, MetLife Stadium, American Dream and Meadowlands rail/event facilities.
Residential neighbor with NJ Transit rail service and additional local dining and shopping.
Small neighboring borough sharing the Meadowlands industrial and transportation environment.
Downtown restaurants, shopping and rail service just west of the Meadowlands.
Nearby industrial and commercial community tied closely to South Bergen business corridors.
Home to DeKorte Park and additional Meadowlands nature, dining and rail access.
Community Institutions
Carlstadt’s houses of worship, historic burial grounds and funeral service belong with community information rather than the commercial Business & Shopping directory.
457 Division Avenue · 201-438-5526
535 Broad Street · 201-438-2830
307 Washington Street · 201-460-0995
425 Broad Street · 201-438-6708
Historic family burial ground near 710–720 Washington Avenue; a small local historic site rather than a full-service cemetery.
Other congregations and religious organizations serve Carlstadt and neighboring South Bergen communities; verify current meeting locations before visiting.
Promote a Carlstadt Business or Organization on NJTGO
NJTGO offers enhanced paid placements for Carlstadt businesses, restaurants, real-estate professionals, visitor services, employers and community organizations seeking stronger visibility within the guide.
Advertising & Enhanced ListingsCarlstadt government, school, recreation, transit, economic and visitor information was reviewed in September 2026. Event schedules, bus service, public access, programs and municipal information can change; verify time-sensitive information with the responsible public agency.