Bergen County
NJ · Pop. 954,717 · Urban County
Bergen County is an urban county in New Jersey, spanning 233 square miles with 954,717 residents at a density of 4097.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on peppers. A median home price of $593,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.69% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F and average winter lows of 26°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 212-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 0.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 44.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 6.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.69% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $593,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Bergen County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 20/100
- Median home price
- $593k
- Property tax
- 1.69%
- Growing season
- 212 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.8"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, 0.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bergen County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bergen County?
- Bergen County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F, and average winter lows of 26°F. The established crops are peppers.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $593,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.69%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.
Explore New Jersey Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in New Jersey
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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