Haworth NJ A Small Town On The Reservoir

June 4, 2026

If you are searching Bergen County for a town that feels calm, established, and quietly distinctive, Haworth deserves a closer look. This is the kind of place where the reservoir is part of everyday life, the streetscape feels residential first, and the scale stays small in a way many buyers find hard to replicate. If you want to understand what makes Haworth, NJ different, this guide will walk you through its setting, lifestyle, housing stock, and market position. Let’s dive in.

Why Haworth Stands Out

Haworth is a 1.9-square-mile borough in Bergen County bordered by Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Oradell, and the Oradell Reservoir. The borough describes itself as quiet, tree-lined, and residential, with a small downtown that supports its small-town identity.

That scale shapes the experience of living here. With an estimated population of 3,363, Haworth feels compact and intentional rather than busy or heavily commercial. For many buyers, that is a big part of the appeal.

Haworth also has deep local roots. The borough was incorporated in 1904, and its name dates back to an 1872 railroad station stop. Local history still shows up in features like early Dutch colonial farmhouses and the one-lane railroad bridge that remain part of the town’s identity.

Reservoir Living Shapes Daily Life

One of the clearest things that sets Haworth apart is its relationship to the Oradell Reservoir. In late 2024, the borough announced new and improved trails along the reservoir at Lakeshore, reinforcing that the water’s edge is not just scenic, but part of how residents use and enjoy the town.

That matters if you are looking for a Bergen County location with a more nature-connected feel. In Haworth, the reservoir is part of the backdrop, but it is also part of daily routines like walking, getting outside, and enjoying a quieter pace.

This gives the borough a different personality than towns defined more by shopping corridors or a larger downtown center. Haworth leans into residential calm, open views, and a lower-density environment.

Recreation in Haworth

Haworth’s lifestyle is not limited to scenery alone. The borough has a long-standing recreation culture supported by its Recreation Commission, which oversees events, programs, parks, playgrounds, and other facilities.

Current borough communications highlight active offerings like Summer Recreation and Haworth Pickleball. The Haworth Swim Club, which first opened in 1957, adds another layer to the town’s community life and seasonal rhythm.

Golf is also part of the local picture. Haworth Country Club describes itself as a 175-acre private 18-hole course adjacent to the reservoir, while White Beeches Golf & Country Club has been in Haworth since 1918 and was redesigned by Walter J. Travis in 1920.

For buyers, this does not mean every household will use private clubs or every amenity. It does mean Haworth offers a lifestyle tied to recreation, outdoor space, and long-established local institutions.

Schools in Haworth, NJ

If schools are part of your home search, Haworth offers a notably compact public school structure. Haworth Public School District serves PK through grade 8 in one school, with 454 students listed in the New Jersey Department of Education’s 2023-24 district report.

The district mission describes the school environment as safe and nurturing, which aligns with the borough’s small-scale character. For buyers who value a smaller public school setting, that can be an important point to explore further.

The same NJDOE report showed a median student growth percentile of 61 in English language arts and 57 in math for 2023-24. In that reporting, ELA exceeded the state standard and math met it, offering an objective data point for buyers who want more than general reputation.

For high school, students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in nearby Demarest. The school is part of the Northern Valley Regional High School District.

Haworth Housing Stock at a Glance

Haworth is best understood as a low-density, mostly single-family housing market. According to the borough’s 2025 draft Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, Haworth had 1,186 housing units in 2023.

What stands out is how concentrated the housing mix is:

  • 98.6% of housing units were single-family detached
  • 93.4% were owner-occupied
  • 57.5% had four or more bedrooms
  • About two-thirds were built before 1960

That is a very different profile from Bergen County overall, where the housing mix is far more varied. Countywide, 53.2% of units were single-family detached and 63.1% were owner-occupied.

In practical terms, Haworth is not a condo-heavy or high-turnover market. It is an established borough with larger homes, older housing stock, and a strong owner-occupied base.

What Buyers Should Know About Home Values

Haworth sits above Bergen County averages in both housing values and current sale prices. The borough’s draft housing plan places the median owner-occupied home value at $815,300, compared with $593,200 across Bergen County.

Current sales data points to an even wider gap. Redfin’s April 2026 snapshot lists Haworth’s median sale price at $1,549,200 versus $777,827 for Bergen County.

Because Haworth is a small market, it is important to read that number as directional rather than absolute. Redfin reported only 5 homes sold in that period, with a median of 84 days on market, while Bergen County had 529 sales and 68 median days on market in the same timeframe.

The bigger takeaway is clear: Haworth functions as a premium micro-market. If you are comparing Bergen County towns, this is a place where limited inventory, mostly detached homes, and a strong lifestyle identity can support higher pricing.

Is Haworth a Good Fit for You?

Haworth may be worth a serious look if you want a residential Bergen County setting with a quiet feel and a defined sense of place. The reservoir, recreation options, small-school structure, and established housing stock all contribute to a lifestyle that feels more tucked away than some better-known neighboring markets.

It can also appeal if you are searching for space. With a large share of homes offering four or more bedrooms and a housing stock dominated by detached properties, Haworth fits buyers looking for traditional suburban living rather than a more mixed-use environment.

At the same time, this is not typically an entry-level market. Home values and sale prices sit well above county norms, so it makes sense to approach Haworth with a clear understanding of budget, timing, and what matters most to you in a move.

Haworth and Commuter Life

For buyers balancing quiet living with access to the broader metro area, Haworth fits the pattern of a suburban Bergen County commuter town. Census Reporter estimates a mean travel time to work of 34.8 minutes.

That does not define every household’s routine, but it helps frame Haworth as part of the wider New York metro orbit. If you want a borough with a residential character and manageable connection to surrounding job centers, Haworth checks that box.

Why Haworth Feels Different

Many Bergen County towns offer attractive homes and convenient locations. Haworth feels different because its identity is less about commercial activity and more about setting, scale, and continuity.

Official borough materials emphasize reservoir adjacency, quiet streets, volunteer civic life, and small-town character. When you combine that with a mostly detached housing stock and a premium pricing profile, Haworth stands out as a place buyers often appreciate more once they see it in person.

If you are narrowing your Bergen County search, Haworth is the kind of town that can surprise you. It offers a refined suburban lifestyle without needing to feel loud or oversized, and that balance is exactly what some buyers are after.

If you are considering Haworth or comparing it with other Bergen County towns, working with a local team can help you understand how this micro-market fits your goals. To talk through timing, pricing, and available opportunities, connect with Michele DeStefano.

FAQs

What is Haworth, NJ known for?

  • Haworth is known for its small-town residential setting, tree-lined streets, proximity to the Oradell Reservoir, and a housing market made up mostly of single-family homes.

What is the housing market like in Haworth, NJ?

  • Haworth is a low-density, mostly owner-occupied market with older detached homes and sale prices that sit above Bergen County averages.

Are there reservoir trails in Haworth, NJ?

  • Yes. The borough announced new and improved trails along the reservoir at Lakeshore in 2024, showing that the reservoir is part of everyday local recreation.

What schools serve students in Haworth, NJ?

  • Haworth Public School District serves PK through grade 8 in one school, and high school students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.

Is Haworth, NJ a good option for Bergen County buyers?

  • Haworth can be a strong option if you want a quiet, premium single-family market with a small-town feel, recreation access, and a residential setting tied closely to the reservoir.

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