Hackensack is the county seat of Bergen County and its most populous municipality, with about 46,000 residents as of the 2020 Census. It combines a revitalized downtown, two train stations, a regional bus hub and some of the most varied housing in the county, which makes it one of the most practical places in North Jersey to buy, rent or invest. Here's what you should know before you make a move in Hackensack.

Why People Choose Hackensack

Hackensack sits at the crossroads of Bergen County. Interstate 80, Route 17 and Route 4 all run through or along the city, so getting to Paramus, the Meadowlands, the George Washington Bridge or the rest of North Jersey is quick. It's also a major job center. Hackensack University Medical Center, the Bergen County courthouse and government offices, and Fairleigh Dickinson University's Metropolitan Campus, which straddles the Hackensack River into Teaneck, all draw people who want to live close to work.

Downtown is changing fast. The city adopted its Main Street Rehabilitation Plan in 2012, Main Street returned to two-way traffic in 2021, and new apartment buildings have been opening along the corridor ever since.

Getting Around: Commuting from Hackensack

• Train: NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line stops at Anderson Street and Essex Street stations in Hackensack, running to Hoboken, with a transfer at Secaucus Junction for New York Penn Station. New Bridge Landing station in River Edge serves the north end of town.
• Bus: The Hackensack Bus Terminal is a regional hub, with NJ Transit routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown (including the 144, 157, 162, 163, 164, 165 and 168) and to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station (171, 175, 178 and 182).
• Car: I-80, Route 17 and Route 4 put most of North Jersey and the GWB within easy reach.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Hackensack offers more variety than most Bergen County towns, which is why it works for so many different buyers and renters:

• Prospect Avenue: The city's high-rise district, lined with condo and co-op buildings near the medical center. A popular choice for buyers who want elevator living, amenities and a lower entry price than a single-family home.
• The west side, Fairmount and Summit Avenue: Hackensack's single-family neighborhoods, with colonials and other classic Bergen County homes on residential streets. Single-family areas make up roughly a third of the city.
• Two-family homes: Scattered through several sections of the city. A two-family is a common first purchase here: live in one unit and let the rent from the other help with the mortgage.
• Downtown and Main Street: Newer rental buildings and conversions, such as The Current on River, 210 Main (a 1926 bank tower turned into apartments), and Ora at 321 Main Street, which opened in 2025. Good for renters who want walkability and modern amenities.
• Garden apartments: Older low-rise complexes that remain an important source of rentals.

Buying a Home in Hackensack

Hackensack gives buyers several ways into Bergen County. Condos and co-ops along Prospect Avenue often come in below the price of a single-family home. Two-families let you offset your mortgage with rental income. Single-family homes on the west side offer more space. If you're using an FHA loan, a two-to-four family property can be bought with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units.

A few things we help buyers check:

• Co-op rules: Co-op boards set their own financing, approval and sublet rules. We review them before you make an offer.
• Condo association health: Monthly fees, reserves and any upcoming special assessments.
• 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.
• Flood zones: Some areas near the Hackensack River fall in flood zones. We check flood maps and insurance needs up front.

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

Selling Your Hackensack Home

Hackensack draws a wide pool of buyers: hospital and county employees, commuters, first-time buyers and investors. That gives sellers several audiences to market to, but pricing has to be right for the specific property type. A Prospect Avenue co-op, a west-side colonial and a two-family each compete in a different market. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis using recent sales of homes like yours, then market your home across every MLS and online channel.

Renting in Hackensack

Between the new downtown buildings, the Prospect Avenue high-rises, garden apartment complexes and two-family homes, Hackensack has one of the deepest rental markets in Bergen County. We help renters find units that fit their budget and commute, and we help landlords price, market and screen tenants for their rentals.

Investing in Hackensack

Steady rental demand from the medical center, county offices and commuters makes Hackensack a strong market for two-to-four family properties and condos. 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

• Hackensack University Medical Center
• Bergen County Courthouse and county government offices
• Fairleigh Dickinson University, Metropolitan Campus
• Bergen Community College location on Main Street
• The Shops at Riverside, anchored by Bloomingdale's
• Public schools: Hackensack Public Schools, including Hackensack 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 Hackensack.

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.