As buyers continue navigating North Jersey's seemingly unpredictable housing market, some towns have become more sought-after than others.
Whether it's due to home prices, access to a downtown, proximity to New York City or the number of amenities available, these areas became homebuying hubs in the first half of the year.
Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, compiled the top five homebuying ZIP codes from each of the five North Jersey counties through June.
These rankings were based on the number of unique views of online property listings and the pace of the market, based on the number of days a list remains active, from January to June 2024. The ZIP codes with the hottest market demand had a high number of unique viewers per property and listings that remained active for shorter periods of time.
Here are the hottest ZIP codes in North Jersey, by county:
Bergen County's hottest towns for buying a home, by ZIP code
Bergen County has consistently been a hub for homebuyers looking to live within an easy commuting distance of New York City. And while homes here are typically among the priciest in New Jersey, buyers can take their pick between quiet residential communities such as Mahwah and Franklin Lakes or bustling hubs like Paramus.
Fair Lawn is known for being a quaint suburban community that still offers conveniently located amenities and public transportation. The borough is also home to several historic sites, including the Cadmus House Museum. The median value of a home in this ZIP code so far in 2024 is $656,950. In Westwood, with a busy downtown area home to local businesses and a train station, the median value of a home is $1.02 million. The borough's ZIP code of 07675 also includes the municipalities of River Vale and Old Tappan, which heightens the median home value for this area.
- 07410 - Fair Lawn - $656,950
- 07430 - Mahwah - $633,081
- 07652 - Paramus - $1.23 million
- 07417- Franklin Lakes - $2.5 million
- 07675 - Westwood - $1.02 million
Passaic County's hottest towns for buying a home, by ZIP code
Passaic County is known for having several beloved nature spots, including the Great Falls of Paterson and the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. And while the county is home to some busy hubs like Wayne and Clifton, many areas are also known to offer a quiet lifestyle among an abundance of hills and spacious lots.
The No. 1 ZIP code for Passaic County, Pompton Lakes, is a quiet suburb with a charming downtown featuring a variety of dining options, quaint shops and a live theater while also offering a convenient commute to New York City. The median list price of a home here is $466,029. Meanwhile, Little Falls is a small, low-key suburb with classical homes, a close-knit community and a bustling downtown with historic charm. With a median home price of $496,381, the town has grown into a popular and more affordable alternative than nearby areas like Montclair.
- 07442 - Pompton Lakes - $466,029
- 07470 - Wayne - $615,138
- 07013 - Clifton - $497,617
- 07424 - Little Falls - $496,381
- 07480 - West Milford - $440,404
Morris County's hottest towns for buying a home, by ZIP code
Between its lakefront communities, bustling nightlife and abundance of history, Morris County offers a mix of living styles for all ages. It is also centrally located in North Jersey, meaning residents here have easy access to New York City and other North Jersey hubs.
With a median home price of $797,550, the lifestyle in Morristown is culturally diverse, filled with historic sites, a bustling downtown area, grand homes and high-end apartment living. In Denville, you can find a popular downtown area, filled with local shops and restaurants, as well as historic lake communities like Indian Lake.
- 07960 - Morristown - $797,550
- 07950 - Morris Plains - $687,333
- 07834 - Denville - $675,325
- 07405 - Butler - $893,483
- 07866 - Rockaway - $535,895
Essex County's hottest towns for buying a home, by ZIP code
Essex County is another prime location for residents who want to remain relatively close to New York City, but also want to maximize their living space and experience life in a quiet urban or suburban community.
With a median home price of $549,896, Nutley is a charming small town full of parks, museums, restaurants and more, all within close proximity to New York City. And in West Orange, you can find an abundance of historic houses and sites, including the home and laboratory of Thomas Edison. The area also has a lot of attractions and amenities and is near other cultural hubs such as Montclair. The median price of a home here is $593,625.
- 07110 - Nutley - $549,896
- 07040 - Maplewood - $695,921
- 07006 - Caldwell - $767,417
- 07003 - Bloomfield - $567,108
- 07052 - West Orange - $593,625
Sussex County's hottest towns for buying a home, by ZIP code
Sussex County is known for having more affordable homes and spacious lots than in other North Jersey counties, as well as for having an abundance of natural amenities.
With 11 private lake communities, including Lake Mohawk, Sparta is known for its picturesque community and outdoor activities. The area is also home to quaint mom-and-pop shops, an antique center and a variety of restaurants. The median home price here is $599,146. And Hopatcong — which is home to a portion of Lake Hopatcong, the largest lake in New Jersey, at 2,500 acres — offers both seasonal and year-round living for those who want to be near the water. Here, the median home listing price is $419,867.
- 07871 - Sparta - $599,146
- 07843 - Hopatcong - $419,867
- 07821 - Andover - $548,400
- 07422 - Highland Lakes - $340,705
- 07860 - Newton - $441,109
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter forNorthJersey.comand The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her onInstagram @maddiemcgay,onX @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for herNorth Jersey Livingnewsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her atMMcGay@gannett.
