Single-family neighborhoods, mature trees and limited commercial development define much of the borough's physical character.
Bergen County · Northern Valley · Historic railroad community
Demarest, New Jersey
Demarest is a small, highly residential Northern Valley borough known for tree-lined streets, strong schools, historic architecture, community recreation and an unusual amount of preserved green space for a suburban community so close to New York City.
The borough's identity centers on landmarks such as the Demarest Railroad Station, the Duck Pond and Peace Site Gazebo, Wakelee Field and the Demarest Nature Center, while County Road, Piermont Road and nearby Northern Valley communities provide access to everyday services, dining and regional transportation.
Explore Demarest
Demarest supports a complete seven-page NJTGO set, with separate guides for local businesses, dining, housing, visitor information, community listings and employment.
Business & ShoppingLocal services, professional offices, personal care, home services and nearby shopping corridors.
Food & DrinkDemarest restaurants plus practical nearby Northern Valley dining options.
Real EstateHomes, property taxes, zoning, flood review, schools, commuting and local real-estate services.
Visiting & LodgingRailroad history, Nature Center trails, Duck Pond, local events and nearby lodging.
ClassifiedsCommunity marketplace, garage sales, notices, lost & found, pets and resident submissions.
JobsSchools, municipal resources, education, recreation, healthcare, services and regional employment.
Demarest at a glance
Demarest combines a low-density residential pattern with unusually strong educational, historic and environmental resources for a borough of fewer than 5,000 residents.
Demarest borders Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Dumont and Haworth, placing it close to Route 9W, the Palisades Interstate Parkway and George Washington Bridge approaches.
Three local public schools serve Pre-K through Grade 8, followed by Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.
Wakelee Field, the Nature Center, Duck Pond and stream corridors give the borough a strong outdoor and conservation identity.
Demarest history
The Borough Historian traces Demarest's roots to Dutch and Huguenot settlement, early farming and milling, the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, Victorian-era resort activity and the borough's eventual separation from Harrington Township.
Local history remains visible: the railroad station, early sandstone homes, the old church building, Duck Pond and other surviving structures preserve several layers of Demarest's development.
Demarest Nature Center & open space
The Demarest Nature Center Association protects approximately 55 acres of woodland, wetland, streams and trail habitat around Wakelee Field. Its trail network provides opportunities for walking, birding, environmental education and volunteer stewardship.
More than two miles of trails pass through mature forest, wetland edges, meadow habitat and stream corridors.
The brook is a central ecological feature and part of the larger Hackensack River watershed.
Guided walks, environmental education, volunteer work and seasonal events connect residents with the preserve.
Historic places & cultural landmarks
Park Street · the borough's signature historic landmark, associated with the Northern Railroad of New Jersey and architect J. Cleveland Cady.
A familiar civic landscape in the center of town; the Peace Site Gazebo was created as a community symbol of peace.
561 Piermont Road · a longstanding arts institution located in a historic former church building.
Several historic residences along County Road and nearby streets recall Demarest's Dutch-American settlement and agricultural history.
Troops associated with nearby Camp Merritt were quartered on the former Demarest race track, now the site of Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.
The Borough Historian maintains a detailed local-history account covering settlement, transportation, institutions and community development.
Parks, sports & recreation
A central recreation area supporting fields, community activity and access to the Nature Center landscape.
Youth programs include soccer, basketball, softball and baseball, with current registration and schedules routed through local recreation resources.
A seasonal community swim facility with aquatic recreation and family-oriented summer programming.
The Borough maintains tennis rules, badge information and recreation materials through its current municipal recreation resources.
Seasonal camp programming includes athletics, arts and crafts, games and other activities for local children.
Demarest Day, summer concerts, wellness programs and seasonal events appear on the Borough's current calendar.
Schools & education
Demarest Public Schools operates three local schools through Grade 8. Students then attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest. The Academy of the Holy Angels is also located in the borough.
130 County Road · Pre-K–1 · Demarest Public Schools.
15 Columbus Road · Grades 2–4 · Demarest Public Schools.
568 Piermont Road · Grades 5–8 · Demarest Public Schools.
150 Knickerbocker Road · regional public high school.
Private education: Academy of the Holy Angels, 315 Hillside Avenue, serves secondary-school students in Demarest.
Demarest Public SchoolsNorthern Valley Demarest
Demarest Public Library
The Demarest Public Library at 90 Hardenburgh Avenue is part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), giving local cardholders access to shared collections and services across participating libraries.
Books, digital resources, research help and programming support residents of multiple ages.
The library occupies the former Methodist church building, adding another layer of local history to Hardenburgh Avenue.
Reciprocal borrowing expands access to materials and services throughout the regional library cooperative.
Places of worship
563 Piermont Road · longstanding local congregation.
280 County Road · Roman Catholic parish serving Demarest and the surrounding area.
109 Hardenburgh Avenue · United Methodist congregation.
Transportation & commuting
Route 166 serves the Cresskill–Bergenfield–New York corridor, providing practical Manhattan-bound bus access near Demarest.
Additional NJ Transit routes operate through surrounding Northern Valley and Englewood-area stops; riders should verify current routing before travel.
The historic railroad station remains a landmark, but current commuter travel relies primarily on buses and nearby road connections.
County Road and Closter Dock Road connect toward Route 9W, the Palisades Interstate Parkway and George Washington Bridge approaches.
Borough government & official resources
Borough Hall is at 118 Serpentine Road. Current Borough hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Borough of DemarestGovernment, departments, news, calendar, forms and public services.
Mayor & CouncilCurrent elected officials, committees, meetings and Borough leadership.
Borough CalendarMeetings, recreation programs, community events and public activities.
Clubs & OrganizationsCurrent municipal directory for community clubs, recreation and civic organizations.
Borough HistorianLocal history, settlement, railroad development and civic heritage.
School DirectoryOfficial Borough listing of local public and secondary schools.
2026 Mayor: Brian Bernstein.
Nearby communities
Wooded residential borough bordering the Palisades and Hudson River.
Major nearby shopping, dining and community-services center for the Northern Valley.
Neighboring residential borough with local dining, shopping and Camp Merritt history.
Larger neighboring borough with additional retail, restaurants, services and transit.
Small residential borough immediately west of Demarest with parks and reservoir-side scenery.
Nearby commercial, cultural, healthcare and transportation centers broaden regional options.
Promote a Demarest Business or Organization on NJTGO
NJTGO offers enhanced paid placements for Demarest businesses, restaurants, real-estate professionals, visitor services, employers and community organizations seeking stronger visibility within the guide.
Advertising & Enhanced ListingsDemarest government, school, library, history, recreation, transportation and community information was reviewed in September 2026. Programs, schedules, routes and municipal information can change; verify time-sensitive details with the responsible public agency or organization.