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

Demarest is a small borough in the Northern Valley of Bergen County, with just under 5,000 residents as of the 2020 Census. It was incorporated on April 8, 1903, when it separated from Harrington Township, and it grew up around a stop on the Northern Railroad of New Jersey. More than a century later, the old stone depot, the Duck Pond across from it and a cluster of 18th- and 19th-century sandstone houses along County Road still define the center of town. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Demarest.

Why People Choose Demarest

Demarest packs a lot of green space and history into a compact borough. The Demarest Nature Center on Park Street conserves open land and is open to visitors every day of the year, whether or not they live in town. Right next to the center of town, the Duck Pond and its Peace Site Gazebo, built in 1986, serve as the borough's informal town green and host community events like the Shade Tree Commission's seedling giveaways.

The borough's history is unusually easy to see. The Northern Railroad of New Jersey opened in 1859, running from Jersey City to Piermont, New York, and the stop here was named "Demarest Station" for State Senator Ralph S. Demarest, one of the men behind the line. The 1920 Census counted only 634 people in Demarest. Real growth came after the George Washington Bridge opened, which turned the borough into a convenient Bergen County base for working in North Jersey or New York.

Getting Around: Commuting from Demarest

• Car: County Road is the borough's main north-south street, linking Demarest with the neighboring Northern Valley towns. From there, it's a straightforward drive to the George Washington Bridge.
• Commuter parking: The borough maintains commuter parking by the Duck Pond, just south of the historic train station, in the center of town.
• Bus and rail: Bus options and schedules change, so we'll map out your specific commute to Manhattan or your North Jersey job before you make an offer.

Homes and Housing in Demarest

The borough reports more than 1,800 homes. A few things stand out about Demarest's housing:

• Historic houses on County Road: Demarest has several historic homes. The Samuel R. Demarest House, a sandstone colonial built in 1816 at 212 County Road, and the John R. Demarest House at 35 County Road are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Westervelt Homestead at 277 County Road includes a wing dating to the 1700s.
• Victorian-era homes: The borough historian points to two Victorian houses on Van Horn Street with stained glass windows.
• Accessory apartments: Demarest operates an Accessory Apartment Program as part of its affordable housing obligations under a 2018 settlement agreement. If you're thinking about adding a unit to a property, we'll help you review what the borough allows before you buy.

Buying a Home in Demarest

Demarest is a small market, so the right home may not come up often. Getting pre-approved and knowing exactly what you want before listings hit the market puts you in a much stronger position. We can connect you with a lender for pre-approval before you start touring.

A few things we help buyers check:

• Older-home inspections: Demarest's housing includes homes that go back more than two centuries. Plan on a thorough inspection covering the roof, foundation, heating system, electrical service and any oil tank history.
• Historic properties: National Register listing honors a house's history, but buyers should understand what it means for a specific property before planning exterior changes or additions.
• Water and drainage: Some properties sit near the Duck Pond and the Nature Center. We check FEMA flood maps, insurance requirements and the borough's stormwater rules for any home you're considering.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home on your list so there are no surprises.

Selling Your Demarest Home

In a borough of this size, pricing has to be based on carefully chosen comparables, not a broad county average. A restored 19th-century house on County Road and a newer home elsewhere in the borough compete in very different ways. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis using recent sales of homes like yours in Demarest and the surrounding Northern Valley, then market your home across every MLS and online channel to reach buyers throughout North Jersey and New York.

Renting and Investing in Demarest

Rental listings in a borough this size can be limited, so it pays to be ready to move quickly when a unit comes up. We help renters set up searches and apply quickly, and we help owners price, market and screen tenants for single-family rentals and accessory units. For investors, a small market means careful underwriting matters. We'll help you look at realistic rents, taxes, insurance and the cost of maintaining an older home before you commit.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Demarest Nature Center, 90 Park Street
• The Duck Pond and Peace Site Gazebo in the center of town
• Demarest Railroad Depot, a stone station from the 1870s designed by architect J. Cleveland Cady and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004
• Samuel R. Demarest House and John R. Demarest House, both on County Road and both on the National Register
• Wakelee Field and the borough's ball fields, tennis courts and playground
• Demarest Public Library, 118 Serpentine Road
• Public schools: Demarest Public Schools (County Road School, Luther Lee Emerson School and Demarest Middle School) and the Northern Valley Regional High School District, including Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Demarest with nearby towns? Read our guides to Closter, Cresskill, Haworth and Dumont, 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 Demarest.

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.