South Hackensack, NJ Real Estate Guide: Buy, Sell & Rent

South Hackensack is a small Bergen County township with 2,701 residents as of the 2020 Census. It's a separate municipality from the City of Hackensack, with its own Township Committee, police department, zoning code and K–8 school district. What sets it apart is the mix of uses packed into a small area: residential streets zoned for one- and two-family homes sit near industrial and commercial districts, Interstate 80 and Route 46, and part of the township falls within the state-regulated Meadowlands District. If you're thinking about buying, selling, renting or investing here, here's what to know.

Why People Choose South Hackensack

Location is the main draw. South Hackensack has its own exits on Interstate 80, and Route 46 runs through the township, which connects you to the rest of North Jersey by car.

The township also runs at a small-town scale. It has its own Recreation Commission, which runs baseball, softball, football and soccer programs together with neighboring Little Ferry, and a Shade Tree Commission that meets monthly. The township calendar lists events through the year, including a fall Oktoberfest.

Getting Around: Commuting from South Hackensack

• Car: Interstate 80 crosses the township. NJDOT identifies Exit 65 as Green Street/Teterboro/South Hackensack and lists a Vreeland Avenue exit in South Hackensack. Route 46 also passes through, and NJDOT has listed South Hackensack among the municipalities in its Route 46 improvement work between Bergen Boulevard and Route 124.
• Train: There's no rail station in the township. The nearest NJ Transit stops are on the Pascack Valley Line, including Teterboro (Williams Avenue) and Essex Street in Hackensack. The line runs to Hoboken, and you can transfer at Secaucus Junction for New York Penn Station.
• Bus: NJ Transit bus routes change over time, so we'll check current routes and stops for your commute before you commit to a home.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

South Hackensack's zoning code gives a clear picture of what can be built where. The township's districts include:

• A District (One- and Two-Family Residential): The township's main residential zone. Single-family homes and two-family homes are both permitted uses; multifamily buildings are not.
• B District (Commercial) and M/MII Districts (Mixed Use): Retail, offices, banks, restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
• C District (Industrial): Warehouses, light assembly, machine shops, laboratories and offices.
• Garfield Park section: A distinct part of the township that its own ordinances name separately, including in its affordable housing planning.
• Affordable Housing Overlay District: The zoning code includes an overlay for new residential and mixed-use development. In February 2026 the Township Committee introduced an amendment that applies it to the Garfield Park section and a Route 46 district and adds a Grove Street overlay. The amendment sets density, height and affordable set-aside rules for projects of five or more units. We track where these proposals stand, since they could add new apartment options over time.

Buying a Home in South Hackensack

Because the residential zone permits two-family homes, South Hackensack works well for buyers who want rental income from day one. If you're using 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. A single-family home here puts you close to Hackensack while you live in a different municipality, with its own municipal services and tax bill.

A few things we help buyers check:

• Flood exposure: The Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute, part of the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority, published storm surge water elevation maps for South Hackensack in July 2023, including scenarios with and without tide gates. We review those maps along with FEMA flood maps and insurance quotes before you make an offer.
• Nearby zoning: With industrial and commercial districts close to residential streets, we look at what is zoned around any home you're considering.
• Two-family details: Separate utilities, legal unit status, and current leases if you're buying with a tenant in place.
• Property taxes: We pull the current tax figure for every home on your list so you can budget accurately.

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

Selling Your South Hackensack Home

South Hackensack is small, so there aren't many sales to compare against in any given month. That makes pricing harder than in a larger town. A two-family that will appeal to both owner-occupants and investors needs a different strategy than a single-family. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis that uses South Hackensack sales along with comparable sales from nearby Bergen County towns, then market your home across the MLS and every major online channel, reaching buyers who want highway access close to Hackensack.

Renting and Investing in South Hackensack

Because multifamily buildings aren't permitted in the main residential zone, many rentals here are units in two-family homes. For renters, we help you look across South Hackensack and the surrounding towns at the same time. For investors, a two-family is the usual entry point. Before you buy, we'll help you look at realistic rents, taxes, insurance (including flood coverage where needed) and the property's condition so the numbers work. We also keep landlords informed about local zoning changes, including the township's proposed affordable housing overlays, that could affect the rental market.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Interstate 80 and Route 46
• Pascack Valley Line stations in neighboring Teterboro and Hackensack
• Recreation programs run jointly with Little Ferry
• South Hackensack Township Municipal Complex
• Ambulance coverage through the Moonachie First Aid and Rescue Squad
• Public schools: South Hackensack School District (Memorial School, pre-K through grade 8); high school students attend Hackensack High School in Hackensack Public Schools

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing South Hackensack with nearby towns? Read our guides to Hackensack, Lodi, Little Ferry and Teterboro, 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 South 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.