Bergen County · Northern Valley · Washington Avenue
Dumont, New Jersey
Dumont is a compact, densely settled Bergen County borough with a traditional Washington Avenue business district, neighborhood shopping, a broad local dining scene, five public schools, an active recreation program and quick access to surrounding Northern Valley communities.
Its story stretches from early Dutch settlement through railroad-era suburban growth and the World War I impact of nearby Camp Merritt. Today Dumont is primarily residential, but its local commercial corridors, public institutions and parks give it the feel of a complete hometown rather than a bedroom community alone.
Dumont at a glance
Dumont's population grew from 17,863 in the 2020 Census to an estimated 18,606 in 2024. About 72% of occupied housing units were owner-occupied in the Census Bureau's 2019–2023 profile.
From Schraalenburgh to Dumont
Dumont was incorporated in 1894 as the Borough of Schraalenburgh and adopted its present name in 1898 in honor of first mayor Dumont Clarke. Railroad service through the Schraalenburgh Valley beginning in 1873 helped transform the area into a commuter suburb.
The post-Civil War railroad encouraged new residents, development and calls for local government.
Established in 1917 along Dumont's eastern border, the World War I embarkation camp drove a temporary surge in population, commerce and rail activity.
After World War I the camp disappeared and Dumont returned to a predominantly residential pattern, while local business corridors continued to serve the community.
Camp Merritt monument: the surviving memorial monument is nearby in Cresskill, not within Dumont. The camp itself extended across parts of present-day Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont and Haworth.
Downtown & neighborhood commerce
The Borough describes Dumont as having a main business district with smaller commercial areas and stores throughout town. Washington Avenue is the most recognizable commercial spine, with additional businesses around Madison Avenue, Veterans Plaza, West Shore Avenue, Knickerbocker Road and neighborhood intersections.
Groceries, banking, dining, health services and everyday neighborhood businesses.
Restaurants, salons, specialty services and local professional businesses.
Longstanding food businesses and service establishments close to the borough's residential core.
Parks, sports & recreation
Dumont maintains an unusually broad recreation network for a borough of less than two square miles. Programs cover baseball, softball, soccer, football, cheerleading, basketball, roller hockey, wrestling, tennis, pickleball, summer camp and seasonal community events.
Pershing Street at Davies Avenue · baseball fields, football/soccer, tennis and basketball.
Part of McGaw Park · playground, tennis and pickleball courts.
McGaw Park area · girls softball and youth flag football.
Johnson Avenue area · playground, park space and softball facilities.
Dance Boulevard / Ralph Dizzini Drive · roller hockey, softball, flag football and soccer.
Dumont Day, the Dumont 5K & Kids Fun Run, Memorial Day Parade, Halloween Costume Parade and Winter Festival appear in the recreation calendar.
Dumont Public Schools
Dumont operates a complete local public-school system from elementary grades through high school.
Elementary school.
Elementary / middle school.
Elementary school.
Elementary / middle school.
Grades 9–12.
District administration and registration.
Dixon Homestead Library
Dumont's public library is part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS).
Books and media, digital collections, museum passes, Library of Things, computers, printing, research assistance and community programming.
The library also supports ESL learning and tutoring resources in partnership with regional literacy programs.
Getting around
Current service in and around Dumont includes routes in the 166, 167, 177, 186 and 753 network. Stop locations and schedules should be verified before travel.
NJ Transit references the Dumont Park & Ride in current bus/rail-connection information, supporting regional commuting toward New York.
Washington Avenue, Madison Avenue, Knickerbocker Road and nearby county roads connect Dumont with Bergenfield, New Milford, Cresskill, Haworth and the broader Route 4 / George Washington Bridge region.
Borough government & public resources
Borough of DumontGovernment, departments, calendar, forms, public notices and services.
Forms & PermitsClerk, building, health, parking and other municipal applications.
Public NoticesOfficial legal notices, bids, RFPs and RFQs.
Mayor: John W. Russell III · Borough Hall: 50 Washington Avenue · 201-387-5022.
Nearby communities
Large neighboring borough with additional shopping, dining and services.
Residential and commercial community immediately west of Dumont.
Northern Valley neighbor with the Camp Merritt Memorial, dining and local shopping.
Residential Northern Valley borough with nature, schools and historic sites.
Smaller residential neighbor with parks, golf and community amenities.
Regional downtown, cultural resources, restaurants and nearby lodging.
Explore Dumont on NJTGO
Use the complete seven-page Dumont guide for local businesses, food and drink, housing, visitor information, community classifieds and employment.
Advertising & Enhanced ListingsDumont government, Census, school, library, recreation, transportation and community information was reviewed in September 2026. Programs, routes, schedules and municipal information can change; verify time-sensitive details with the responsible public agency.