Demarest
Living in Demarest
Demarest is a small, wooded borough in Bergen County's Northern Valley, prized for its calm residential streets, mature tree canopy, and a genuine sense of place. Near the center of town sits the Duck Pond, a stretch of the Tenakill Brook where families have gathered for generations — the kind of unhurried, neighborly landmark that defines how Demarest feels.
Much of the borough's character traces back to the railroad era. The 1872 Demarest Railroad Depot, a restored Romanesque-style station the borough has owned since the 1970s, still stands as a community gathering place, even though passenger trains stopped running here in 1966. Today Demarest is decidedly residential — leafy lots, established homes, and a quiet that sets it apart from its busier neighbors.
Families are especially drawn to Demarest for its schools. The town runs its own pre-K through eighth-grade public schools, and high schoolers attend the well-regarded Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, located right in the borough. Add easy access to Closter's shopping just next door and a straightforward trip to Manhattan, and Demarest offers a rare combination of seclusion and convenience.
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What sets it apart
The Duck Pond on the Tenakill Brook is a literal and social heart of town — a cherished spot where neighbors gather and children feed the waterfowl
Demarest runs its own pre-K through eighth-grade public schools — County Road, Luther Lee Emerson, and Demarest Middle — with strong community investment in education
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest sits within the borough, serving Demarest, Closter, and Haworth and drawing families who value well-regarded public schooling close to home
The historic 1872 Demarest Railroad Depot, restored and borough-owned, remains a landmark and a venue for local community events
Wooded, well-kept residential lots give Demarest a quiet, private, settled feel distinct from its busier Northern Valley neighbors
Closter's shopping, including Closter Plaza, sits just over the border — everyday convenience without sacrificing Demarest's calm
Demarest no longer has active passenger rail — its historic 1872 depot is now a community building, with passenger service having ended in 1966. Today residents commute to Manhattan primarily by car via the George Washington Bridge, a short drive south, or by Rockland Coaches bus (Route 20) to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, with a stop on Hardenburgh Avenue near the Duck Pond.
