Wood-Ridge, NJ Real Estate Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Renters

Wood-Ridge is a small Bergen County borough of about 10,100 residents as of the 2020 Census, covering roughly 1.1 square miles between Hasbrouck Heights, Carlstadt, Wallington and Moonachie. What sets it apart is a rare combination for a town this size: two NJ Transit rail stations on two different lines, a Route 17 frontage, and Wesmont Station, a transit village built on the grounds of the former Curtiss-Wright aircraft engine plant. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Wood-Ridge.

Why People Choose Wood-Ridge

Wood-Ridge was incorporated in 1894, during the wave of borough formations that reshaped Bergen County that year. Most of its older neighborhoods were built between the 1920s and the 1960s, and the town later became home to Curtiss-Wright, which manufactured aircraft engines at its plant in the northwest corner of the borough during the World War II era.

The appeal today is mostly about location and options. Route 17 runs through the borough, Teterboro Airport sits just across the northeast boundary, and the Meadowlands, Hackensack and the routes into Manhattan are a short drive away. At the same time, you can choose between an established single-family home on a standard lot, a two-family, a garden apartment, or newer construction at Wesmont Station, all within about one square mile.

Getting Around: Commuting from Wood-Ridge

• Wood-Ridge station (Pascack Valley Line): A small stop on Park Place East by the Route 17 and Moonachie Avenue interchange, with trains to Hoboken Terminal and a transfer at Secaucus Junction for New York Penn Station. Parking is limited to about 20 spaces along the street.
• Wesmont station (Bergen County Line): Opened in May 2016 at the western edge of town, on the Wallington border. Trains run toward Hoboken, with Secaucus Junction two stops away, and the station has its own parking lot.
• Bus: NJ Transit routes 144, 145, 148, 163 and 164 run along Valley Boulevard to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Route 76 travels Terrace Avenue between Hackensack and Newark Penn Station.
• Car: Route 17 passes through the borough and continues north to U.S. Route 46, giving quick access to the Meadowlands, Paramus and the George Washington Bridge corridor.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

About two-thirds of occupied homes in Wood-Ridge are owner-occupied, according to Census data. The borough's own master plan describes a housing stock built in layers:

• Single-family homes: The dominant land use in town. Most are modest, detached wood-frame houses on lots of about 50 by 100 feet, dating mainly from the 1920s through the 1960s.
• Two-family homes: Scattered throughout the borough rather than concentrated in one area.
• Garden apartments: Older low-rise complexes that the master plan identifies as a significant source of reasonably priced units.
• Wesmont Station: The redevelopment of the former Curtiss-Wright site, planned around New Urbanism principles. The plan places single-family homes on the east side, townhomes in the interior, mid-rise residential and mixed-use buildings on the west and north, and retail near Passaic Avenue. Rosera Wesmont, at Wesmont Drive and Passaic Avenue next to Rosie-the-Riveter Plaza, was billed by its developer as the final residential phase.
• Downtown corridors: Hackensack Street and Valley Boulevard hold most of the borough's local shops and services, with a mix of commercial, apartment and public uses on their northern stretches.

Buying a Home in Wood-Ridge

A two-family lets you live in one unit and use rent from the other to help carry the mortgage, and with an FHA loan you can buy a two-to-four family property with a low down payment as long as you occupy one of the units. Newer townhomes and single-family homes at Wesmont Station appeal to buyers who want modern construction near a train.

A few things we help buyers check:

• Older-home inspections: Many homes here are 60 to 100 years old. We make sure inspections cover the roof, electrical service, heating system, sewer line and any signs of an old oil tank.
• Two-family legal status: The master plan notes that many two-family homes sit outside the two-family zones and may be nonconforming. We confirm the legal unit count and certificate of occupancy before you commit.
• Association details: For townhomes and condos in newer developments, we review monthly fees, reserves and association rules.
• Flood zones: The lowest ground in the borough lies near Route 17 and Moonachie Avenue toward the eastern border, which the master plan identifies as flood-prone. We check flood maps and insurance needs early.
• Property taxes: We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering, so your monthly budget is accurate.

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

Selling Your Wood-Ridge Home

Two train lines, Route 17 and direct buses to Midtown give Wood-Ridge sellers a strong story for commuters. Pricing still has to match the property type. A 1950s single-family, a scattered-site two-family and a Wesmont townhome each compete against different comparable sales. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent sales of homes like yours, then market it across the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in Wood-Ridge

The rental market here runs from units in two-family homes and older garden apartments to amenity-rich buildings at Wesmont Station. We help renters find the right fit and help landlords price, market and screen applicants. For investors, two-to-four family properties are the main opportunity in the older part of town. Before you buy, we'll help you review realistic rents, taxes, insurance, legal unit count and condition so the numbers hold up.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Wesmont Station transit village and Rosie-the-Riveter Plaza
• Wood-Ridge Memorial Library on Hackensack Street
• Wood-Ridge Sports Complex at Union Avenue and 14th Street
• Legion Park and playground on Valley Boulevard
• William Kour Park and Playground on 13th Street
• Wood-Ridge Civic Center on Highland Avenue
• Teterboro Airport, just across the borough line
• Public schools: Wood-Ridge School District, including Wood-Ridge High School

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Wood-Ridge with nearby towns? Read our guides to Carlstadt, Hasbrouck Heights, East Rutherford and Wallington, 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 Wood-Ridge.

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.