Northern New Jersey is full of vibrant communities, big and small, with a variety of housing types, community services, recreational spots, school districts, history, and cuisine. After covering Essex County and Union County last year, and Passaic County last month, The Montclair Girl is continuing its series on commuter towns throughout Northern New Jersey with a guide to Bergen County. (PS: Check out our sister site, The Bergen County Girl!) Read on to learn about NJ Transit commuter stations in Bergen County, New Jersey, and its communities.
About Bergen County
Bergen County is a culturally and religiously diverse county with cuisine from all over the world, numerous parks and green spaces, businesses, shopping centers, and a variety of museums and historic sites. It is the state’s most populated county, with roughly 957,000 residents. It borders Essex County, Passaic County, and Hudson County. Historically, there have been at least 75 train stations in Bergen County, but as of 2024, only 32 eight remain. Ten of these train stations are ADA-accessible.
Bergen County contains 70 municipalities, the highest number of any county in the state, which includes Alpine, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Maywood, Leonia, Paramus, Saddle Brook, and South Hackensack. No more than 50,000 people live in a single town in Bergen County. Hackensack is the most populated community with almost 46,000 residents, and Teterboro, the least populated, has no more than 75 residents.
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Emerson
Nicknamed “The Family Town”, Emerson is a small Northern New Jersey town with about 7,000 residents. Its train station is part of the Pascack Valley Line and has over 100 parking spaces for commuters. For dining and dessert Emerson features Rispoli Pastry Shop, Pimaan Thai, Emerson Hotel Restaurant + Bar, and for groceries, Emerson has a Stop & Shop. This station is also convenient for residents of the Township of Washington and Westwood.
Fair Lawn
Fairlawn is home to two train stations, Radburn and Broadway, which are both part of the Bergen Main Line. Green space here includes Cresthill Park, Westmoreland Park, Everett Park, Berdan Grove Park, and Vanderbeck Arboretum + Bird Sanctuary. For grocery shopping there is a Shoprite and for dining, Fairlawn has a Dutch House Tavern, Wilkes Country Deli, Johnny + Hanges, Shoti Bread House, Haus Café, and Ray’s Pizza.
Glen Rock
Glen Rock has a unique position with two train stations located in its downtown. The Glen Rock-Main Line Station is served by the Main Line. The Glen Rock-Boro Hall Station is served by the Bergen County Line and is ADA-accessible. Green space and recreation in town include Thielke Arboretum, Glen Rock Municipal Pool, Glen Rock Duck Pond, and Wilde Memorial Park. For a bite to eat, Downtown Glen Rock features Honey Day Cafe, Rock Kitchen + Creamery, Wilkes Deli, and Rock’n The Grill.
Hackensack
Hackensack, the county seat of Bergen County, is home to almost 46,000 residents and has two train stations, Anderson Street and Essex Street. Both stations are part of the Pascack Valley Line. The Essex Street Station is ADA-accessible. The city has a mix of housing units featuring single-family homes and high rises. Grocery stores include Costco, 99 Ranch Market, Hackensack Market, Aldi, Giant Farmers Market, and Target and for dining, there is Noches de Colombia, Pizza Knight, Cranberry Junction Homemade Ice Cream, White Manna, and Prince Taqueria. Historic spots, green space, and notable locations include Eastwick College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hackensack River County Park, Foschini Park, Fairmount Park, Johnson Park, the Old Church on the Green, and the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center. Although not located in Hackensack, the New Bridge station in River Edge serves those in the northernmost parts of the city.
Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst, home to 22,000 residents, currently has two train stations. Lyndhurst Station is part of the Main Line and is currently under renovation and upon completion will be ADA-accessible. Kingsland Station, also part of the Main Line, opened in 1870. Upon completion of the Lyndhurst Station in May 2025, the Kingsland Station will be closed. Green space and recreation areas in this Bergen County town include Riverside County Park, Lyndhurst Municipal Park, and Lewandowski Park. For groceries, Lyndhurst has a Shoprite and Stop & Shop and for dining, there is Vinnie’s Mootz, Lyndhurst Pastry Shop, Mr.Geez, and Muse Coffee Company.
Oradell
About 8,000 residents call Oradell home. This small town has a police department, fire department, and, a school district that serves students in Kindergarten to 6th grade. Students in 7th to 12th grade attend River Dell High School alongside residents of River Edge. Oradell Station is part of the Pascack Valley Line and has over 200 parking spots. For a coffee and a pastry, Aroma d’ Cafe Bakery and The Dell Coffee Co are spots in town. Other restaurants include Calabria Pizza, ORA FreeStyle Italian, Esti’s Cafe, and the Oak House and for grocery shopping, there is a Shoprite in New Milford. Recreation and historic spots include the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, the Doug Parcells Athletic Complex, the Little Firehouse Theater, and Van Buskirk Island County Park. Those looking to live in Dumont, Haworth, New Milford, or Paramus can also utilize Oradell Station.
Rutherford
Home to almost 19,000 residents, Rutherford has a train station located on the Bergen County Line. The station offers over 125 parking spaces and is ADA-accessible. Nicknamed “The Borough of Trees” this community is home to green spaces and historical spots like Van Winkle Park, the Meadowlands Museum, and Memorial Park. For grocery needs, a Shoprite is located in nearby Wallington. For those interested in Carlstadt and East Rutherford, the Rutherford train station is close by.
Ridgewood
Ridgewood is home to about 26,000 people and one of the state’s highest-income communities. Neighborhoods include Scrabbletown, Upper Ridgewood, Downtown, Salem Ridge, Brookside, and Floral Park. The station is served by the Main Line and Bergen County Line, is ADA-accessible, and has over 100 parking spots. Historic spots in Ridgewood include the Westervelt–Cameron House, the Rathbone–Zabriskie House, and the Paramus Reformed Church Historic District. Recreation and outdoor locations within Ridgewood’s borders are Graydon Park, Citizens Park, Veterans Field, Ridgewood Skate Park, Irene Habernickel Family Park, Van Neste Square Memorial Park, and Ridgewood YMCA. For grocery shopping, Ridgewood has a Stop & Shop, Caspian Market, J Mart, and Whole Foods and for dining, there is Sook Pastry, Steel Wheel Tavern, East Coast Burger Company, Roots Steakhouse, Renato’s Pizza, and Playa Bowls.
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Westwood
Less than 12,000 residents call Westwood “The Hub of the Pascack Valley”, their home. The Westwood Station, which opened in 1870, is part of the Pascack Valley Line and is ADA-accessible. There are over 200 parking spaces for commuters. For grocery shopping, Westwood has a Trader Joe’s and there is a Stop & Shop in nearby Emerson. For a quick bite to eat, an ice cream sandwich, or pizza, Westwood features a Playa Bowls, Stack Creamery, Lepore’s Italian Market, Tony D’s Pizza, Bon, and many other restaurants. Green space in town includes Pascack Brook County Park, Westvale Park, and Veteran’s Memorial Park. Those interested in living in the Township of Washington, Hillside, Harrington Park, or Closter can also utilize Westwood Station.
For more Bergen County content, visit our sister site, The Bergen County Girl, and follow @thebergencountygirl on Instagram.
