Glen Ridge
cityGlen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, known for its historic charm and gas lamp-lined streets. Located approximately 15 miles west of New York City, it serves as a residential commuter suburb. The borough offers a close-knit community atmosphere with a focus on well-maintained homes and a high quality of life. Glen Ridge boasts a strong economic profile with a high median household income. Key employment sectors for residents include professional, scientific, technical services, finance, insurance, and education. While primarily residential, the town supports local businesses and services that cater to the needs of its residents. What truly sets Glen Ridge apart is its commitment to preserving its unique heritage. The borough is notable for its collection of gas lamps, a feature that contributes to its distinctive character and small-town feel. Additionally, Glen Ridge's architecture, with many homes built before the 1940s, reflects its rich history and adds to its appeal.
Glen Ridge, New Jersey
- Classification
- Borough
- Country
- United States
- County
- Essex
- Region
- Northeastern United States
- Elevation
- 210 ft
- Total Area
- 1.28 sq mi
- Land Area
- 1.27 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.004 sq mi
- Latitude
- 40.804798
- Longitude
- -74.204569
- Climate
- Temperate climate with warm/hot humid summers and cool/cold winters. Average rainfall of 49 inches per year and snowfall of 20 inches per year.
- Notable Features
- Toney's Brook · Ridge on the east side of the First Mountain of the Watchung Mountains
- Neighboring Areas
- Bloomfield · Montclair · East Orange · Orange
- Population (2020)
- 7,802
- Est. Population (2026)
- 8,429
- Median Age
- 40.7
- Median Income
- $248,016
- Poverty Rate
- 1.02%
- Family Households
- 87.9%
- Owner-Occupied
- 93%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Glen Ridge includes 72% White (Non-Hispanic), 6.85% Two Races Including Other (Hispanic), 5.83% Asian (Non-Hispanic), 3.96% Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic), and 3.48% White (Hispanic).
- Government Type
- Borough
- Governing Body
- Borough Council
- Body Size
- 6 members
- School District
- Glen Ridge Public School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library
- Unemployment Rate
- 6.1%
- Economic Profile
- Residential / suburban
- Employment Sectors
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Finance & Insurance · Educational Services
- Schools
- 5
- Students
- 1,810
- Teachers
- 147
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Graduation Rate
- 95%
- School Districts
- Glen Ridge Public School District
- Transportation
- Newark and Bloomfield Railroad · New York and Greenwood Lake Railway · NJ Transit Bus routes · Gas Lamp Jity
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- HackensackUMC Mountainside (nearby)
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Glen Ridge Country Club · Glen Ridge Community Pool · Carteret Park · Hurrell Field
- Parks & Trails
- Forest Avenue Field · Sherman Avenue Field · Clay Field · Glen Bike Path
- Founded
- 1666
- Incorporated
- 1895
- Named After
- The area known as the glen adjacent to a ridge formed by Toney's Brook
- Historical Significance
- Evolved from a farming and industrial area to a residential suburb, known for its gas lamp lighting and historic architecture.
- Key Events
- Land purchased from Lenni Lenape Native Americans in 1666 · Railroad service established in 1856 and 1872 · Mountainside Hospital founded in 1891 · Glen Ridge Country Club founded in 1894 · Incorporated as a borough in 1895