Bergen County Suburb Near NYC
Welcome to Fair Lawn, a Bergen County borough about 12 miles from New York City and home to Radburn, the landmark 1920s "town for the motor age."
Fair Lawn is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, located about 12 miles northwest of New York City in the state's densely developed northeastern corridor. Bordered by the Passaic River to the east and the Saddle River to the west, the borough occupies a compact footprint typical of Bergen County municipalities, yet it packs in a notably diverse housing stock and one of the most historically significant neighborhoods in American suburban planning. Fair Lawn's development accelerated in the late 1920s and post-war decades, transforming farmland into a residential community for families and commuters. Its defining event came in 1929, when the City Housing Corporation founded Radburn, a planned community intended as a "town for the motor age." Designed by Clarence Stein and Henry Wright with landscape architect Marjorie Sewell Cautley, Radburn introduced superblocks, cul-de-sacs, and separated pedestrian walkways — ideas that would influence planned communities across the United States and are preserved today as a National Historic Landmark. The borough's population is diverse and family-oriented, with a mix of long-time residents and newcomers drawn by the schools and transit access. Fair Lawn has a strong civic identity, anchored by a large public school system and an active recreation department, and its commercial corridors reflect the cultural diversity of the region, including a notable array of kosher and international food businesses. For residents, Fair Lawn offers the appeal of a mature, well-served suburb: established neighborhoods, multiple housing options, local parks and pools, and two NJ Transit rail stations that keep Manhattan within a short ride. It is a community where history, convenience, and suburban stability intersect.
Fair Lawn is located in Bergen County, New Jersey, about 12 miles northwest of New York City. It is a borough bordered by the Passaic River to the east and the Saddle River to the west.
Radburn is a National Historic Landmark community within Fair Lawn, founded in 1929 as a 'town for the motor age.' Designed by planners Clarence Stein and Henry Wright, it pioneered superblocks, separated pedestrian paths, and cul-de-sac street layouts that influenced suburban planning nationwide.
Fair Lawn is served by Fair Lawn Public Schools, one of the larger districts in Bergen County, with nine schools and roughly 5,700 students. The district offers strong academic programs, including honors and Advanced Placement courses.
Fair Lawn sits about 12 miles northwest of Manhattan. The borough has two NJ Transit stations, Radburn and Broadway, with train service to Hoboken and Secaucus Junction, where riders connect to Manhattan and other destinations.
Fair Lawn offers a broad mix of housing, including single-family homes, attached homes, townhouses, condominiums, and co-ops. Much of the stock dates to the mid-20th century, with newer construction and the distinctive garden-city homes of the Radburn district.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
BROWSE BY ZIP
Browse listings by postal code in this area.