Dumont's housing market is defined by modest, well-established homes in a two-square-mile borough. The stock consists largely of older single-family houses—many dating to the early and mid-twentieth century—along with a share of two-family homes and smaller multifamily buildings. Homes are generally more attainable than in Bergen County's more affluent towns, and the borough has historically offered a comparatively strong value for buyers seeking Bergen County convenience. The market is stable and family-oriented, with older Colonials, Capes, and ranches on compact lots, and limited new construction given the borough's built-out footprint.

Dumont's neighborhoods are compact and walkable, reflecting the borough's two-square-mile scale. Residential streets of older single-family homes radiate from the Washington Avenue corridor and the borough's historic crossroads, where the sandstone Reformed church and Dixon Homestead Library anchor the community's sense of place. The housing is arranged in tight, established blocks, with schools, parks, and small commercial strips woven throughout. The borough borders Bergenfield, New Milford, Haworth, and Oradell, so neighborhood identity blends into the surrounding Bergen County communities, and most residents are within a short walk of a school, park, or shopping street.

Dumont offers a grounded, family-centered lifestyle typical of Bergen County's close-in boroughs. The community's recreation programs, youth sports, and local arts institutions—including the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum and the Little Firehouse Theater—anchor its social life, while the compact downtown along Washington Avenue provides everyday shopping and services. Residents value the borough's modesty and sense of history, and many are drawn by the combination of attainable homes and a manageable commute. Neighboring Bergenfield, New Milford, and Paramus supply larger retail, and the borough's parks and proximity to the Hackensack River give it green space within a dense, walkable setting.

Dumont is served by the Dumont Public Schools, a comprehensive K–12 district operating five schools and roughly 2,600 students. The district includes elementary schools, a middle school, and Dumont High School, keeping students within the borough from pre-kindergarten through graduation. The schools are a central part of the community's identity and a primary draw for families. Private and parochial options are available in neighboring Bergen County towns, and the borough's location provides convenient access to higher education institutions across northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area.

Dumont's transportation access centers on its proximity to New York City and the region's road and rail network. NJ Transit bus routes serve the borough along its main arteries, and rail connections are available at nearby stations such as New Bridge Landing in River Edge and Westwood on the Pascack Valley Line. By car, Route 4 carries commuters directly to the George Washington Bridge, roughly 25 to 30 minutes away in light traffic, with Interstate 80 and the Garden State Parkway also within reach. Newark Liberty International Airport is about 45 minutes south. The borough's compact scale makes much of it walkable to bus stops and local services.

Recreation in Dumont is anchored by the borough's parks, playgrounds, and athletic facilities, including the Doug Parcells Athletic Complex, which supports youth sports and community events. Cultural recreation is unusually strong for a small borough, with the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum and the Little Firehouse Theater providing local arts and performance. Nearby Van Buskirk Island County Park, in Oradell along the Hackensack River, offers walking trails and green space, and the broader Bergen County park system, including Saddle River County Park, is a short drive away. The borough's walkable streets and compact layout make everyday recreation easy for families.