Bloomingdale, NJ Real Estate Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Renters

Bloomingdale is a borough of about 9.25 square miles in northwestern Passaic County, with 7,777 residents counted in the 2020 Census. The whole borough lies in the New Jersey Highlands, and roughly 70 percent of its land falls in the Highlands Preservation Area, so forested ridges, lakes and state forest land surround a compact, built-out core along the Hamburg Turnpike and Union Avenue. Here's what you should know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Bloomingdale.

Why People Choose Bloomingdale

For many buyers, the draw is having that much open land so close to home. Part of Norvin Green State Forest, a 5,416-acre forest with more than 50 miles of hiking trails, lies in the borough, and its southern section can be reached from parking areas on Otterhole Road. Passaic County's Mayor Dunleavy Memorial Park is also in town, and the borough runs smaller parks at Oakwood Lake and Bogue Pond, both with playgrounds and fishing.

The town has deep history too. Bloomingdale was incorporated in 1918, when Pompton Township split into new municipalities. Federal Hill, overlooking Union Avenue, is marked as the site of the Pompton Mutiny of 1781, a winter revolt by Continental Army troops.

Getting Around

• Car: County Route 511, which runs as Union Avenue and the Hamburg Turnpike, is the borough's main road. Interstate 287 crosses Bloomingdale, and the closest interchanges are in neighboring towns.
• Commuting: Bloomingdale has no rail station of its own. We'll map drive times and nearby NJ Transit bus and rail options for any home you're considering.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Single-family homes dominate Bloomingdale. The borough's 2025 Housing Element reports that detached single-family homes make up about 69 percent of the housing stock, well above the Passaic County share. The rest is a mix:

• Two-to-four-family homes: Two-unit and three-to-four-unit buildings together account for about 10 percent of homes.
• Apartments: Buildings with five or more units make up roughly 18 percent, including Avalon Bloomingdale on Union Avenue. The borough's zoning map includes Garden Apartment (R-G) and In-Town & Apartment (R-M) zones.
• Downtown mixed use: The Bloomingdale Center District and the B-1-A zone allow homes above commercial space. The borough also has a Main Street Vision Plan for the downtown.
• Redevelopment: The Meer Tract off Union Avenue has been designated an area in need of redevelopment, and the borough has adopted a redevelopment plan for it.

Buying a Home in Bloomingdale

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. Here's what we help buyers check in Bloomingdale:

• Septic or sewer: According to the borough's Housing Element, much of the Highlands Preservation Area lacks public sewer and relies on individual septic systems. We confirm how each home is served and arrange a septic inspection where needed.
• Highlands rules: Highlands Preservation Area rules can limit expansions and new building. If you plan to add on, we look into this before you make an offer.
• Flood exposure: The borough publishes flood insurance guidance and has studied flooding in the Van Dam area. We check FEMA flood maps and insurance needs for every property.
• Lake associations: If a home sits in a lake community with its own association, we review the dues and rules.
• Property taxes: We pull the current tax figure for every home so you can budget accurately.

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

Selling Your Bloomingdale Home

A lakeside single-family home, a two-family near the Hamburg Turnpike and a unit in an apartment zone each draw a different set of buyers. Setting is part of the price too: septic versus sewer, Highlands status and flood zone all affect value. We prepare a free comparative market analysis built on recent sales of homes like yours, then market your home across every MLS and online channel.

Renting and Investing in Bloomingdale

About a quarter of Bloomingdale's homes are renter-occupied, according to the Housing Element. Owners of non-owner-occupied one- and two-family rentals must register with the Municipal Clerk every year and carry liability insurance, and the borough requires lead paint inspections for rentals. Water bills are handled through the Borough of Butler. For investors, two-to-four-family homes are the main income property here. We help run realistic numbers on taxes, insurance, systems and rent, and we help landlords price, market and screen tenants.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Norvin Green State Forest, southern section via Otterhole Road
• Mayor Dunleavy Memorial Park (Passaic County park)
• Federal Hill Historic Site, the Pompton Mutiny site on Union Avenue
• Oakwood Lake, Bogue Pond and Delazier Field borough parks
• Bloomingdale Community Garden on Second Street
• Bloomingdale Free Public Library, at Borough Hall on the Hamburg Turnpike
• Public schools: Bloomingdale School District (pre-K through grade 8); high school students attend Butler High School under a sending-receiving arrangement

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Bloomingdale with nearby towns? Read our guides to Pompton Lakes, Wanaque and West Milford, or browse all of our North Jersey town guides.

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, Passaic and Union 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 Bloomingdale.

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.