Dumont is a compact borough of about 1.95 square miles in northeastern Bergen County, with 17,863 residents as of the 2020 Census. It began in 1891 as the Borough of Schraalenburgh and took its current name in 1898, after its first mayor, Dumont Clarke. It borders Bergenfield, Cresskill, Demarest, Haworth, New Milford and Oradell. Dumont has no train station and no major highway inside its borders. It does have direct buses to Midtown along Washington Avenue, several 18th-century houses, and a housing stock made up mostly of one- and two-family homes. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Dumont.

Why People Choose Dumont

Dumont is mainly a homeowner market. Census figures put the owner-occupied rate at about 72 percent, and the borough's main residential zone allows one- and two-family detached homes. It suits buyers who want a house and a yard within bus range of Manhattan.

Dumont also keeps its history in plain view. Three houses in the borough are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the public library operates out of one of them. In 2024 the borough received a Preserve New Jersey grant to fund an architectural survey of 16 local properties.

Getting Around: Commuting from Dumont

• Bus to Manhattan: NJ Transit routes 166 and 167 run to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, with the 167 traveling along Washington Avenue through the center of town. Route 186 runs to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.
• Local bus: Routes 753 and 772 connect Dumont with other North Jersey towns.
• Rail: Dumont once had a station on the West Shore Railroad, but passenger service ended in 1959. CSX freight trains still use the tracks, which cross West Madison Avenue.
• Car: Knickerbocker Road (County Route 505) runs along the east side of town, and Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue are the main local roads. The Garden State Parkway is reached through Oradell, and Route 4 and the George Washington Bridge are a drive south.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Dumont is small enough that its market is best described by housing type and zoning:

• Single-family homes: A major part of the housing mix. The borough has been building homes since the late 1800s, so expect a wide range of ages, styles, lot sizes and levels of updating.
• Two-family homes: The RA zone permits both one- and two-family detached homes, so two-family homes are part of the mix. They're worth a look for owner-occupants who want rental income.
• Multifamily and garden apartments: A separate RB zone covers multifamily housing. One example is a 32-unit garden apartment complex at 186-192 Madison Avenue, which changed hands in 2025 after 65 years with its original owner.
• Apartments over stores: The B2 business zone allows commercial space combined with residential units, and the zoning code includes overlay districts for the downtown, West Shore Avenue and Washington Avenue corridors. We check zoning on any mixed-use property before you make an offer.

Buying a Home in Dumont

Many Dumont buyers are shopping for a single-family house. Two-family homes are the other main option. With an FHA loan, you can buy a two-to-four family property with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units, and rent from the other unit helps cover the mortgage.

A few things we help Dumont buyers check:

• Older-home inspections: Much of the housing stock is older, so we recommend a thorough inspection of the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating, plus a check for any history of an underground oil tank.
• Historic properties: If you're considering one of the borough's historic houses or a home next to one, we'll ask about any preservation requirements up front.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering so there are no surprises.

Need financing? We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

Selling Your Dumont Home

In a borough where most homes are owner-occupied, buyers compare houses closely, so a well-prepared home stands out. Pricing still has to fit the specific property. A renovated single-family, a two-family with tenants in place and a home that needs work each draw a different buyer. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent sales of homes like yours, then market your home on the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in Dumont

Dumont's rental market is smaller than in larger Bergen County towns. Rentals here include units in two-family homes, garden apartments and apartments above storefronts. Renters do best when they have documents ready to apply as soon as the right unit appears. We help renters find units that fit their budget and commute, and we help landlords price, market and screen tenants for their properties.

For investors, owner-occupied two-family homes are a practical entry point, and garden apartment buildings occasionally trade. Before you buy, we'll help you look at realistic rents, taxes, insurance and condition so the numbers work from day one.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Dixon Homestead Library, 180 Washington Avenue, housed in the Derick Banta House, a stone Dutch Colonial home built around 1780 and left to the borough for library use in 1929
• Daniel Demarest House, 404 Washington Avenue, dated 1724 by its datestone and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Zabriskie-Christie House, 2 Colonial Court, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Memorial Park, with ballfields, tennis and basketball courts and a pavilion
• Veterans Memorial Park, Charlie O'Connor Park, Berkley Park and Bedford Field, where the borough has sought Green Acres funding for accessibility upgrades
• Twin Boro Field, Gina's Field, Fred Triplett Park and the Dumont Swim Club
• Borough Hall, 50 Washington Avenue
• Public schools: Dumont Public Schools, including Dumont High School

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about Dumont.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.