Is Northvale safe?
Northvale, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Northvale as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Northvale
“Go. Northvale is an exceptionally safe, quiet residential borough in northern Bergen County right along the New York state border. Violent and property crime rates are among the lowest in the state, making it a peaceful stop for dining or passing through. Visitors will experience standard suburban tranquility with virtually no serious safety concerns.”
About the area
Northvale is a peaceful, tree-lined suburban community characterized by single-family homes, neighborhood parks, and small local commercial corridors along Paris Avenue and Livingston Street. Located in Bergen County's Northern Valley area, it offers a classic small-town feel with strong community cohesion. It serves primarily as a tranquil residential enclave with a few well-regarded dining spots.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Safe & Residential
Walking and biking in Northvale
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no municipal bike-share program, and dedicated bike lanes are absent on main thoroughfares, but residential side streets feature low speed limits that are friendly for recreational cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rate is virtually near zero, consistently ranking among the safest municipalities in New Jersey
- High median household income exceeding $120,000 with very low poverty and high homeownership rates
- Quiet, well-maintained residential streets and clean public parks
- Close proximity to larger commercial corridors in surrounding Bergen County and Rockland County towns
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with minimal public transportation options
- Very limited nightlife or entertainment options for visitors
- Sidewalk infrastructure is intermittent on some purely residential side streets
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle burglaries (unlocked car theft) common to northern NJ suburbs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Northvale, with no encampments or panhandling present in the borough. County-level social and emergency housing services are managed out of larger hubs in Hackensack.
What Northvale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and local school traffic, presenting no safety issues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-friendly with light suburban traffic and relaxed commercial activity along main thoroughfares.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and safe, with modest foot traffic around local restaurants and sports fields.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually empty streets; perfectly safe to walk though streetlights are sparse on some residential blocks.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit operates bus route 186 providing commuter service toward New York City, and Rockland Coaches (Coach USA) route 20 offers regional service. There is no direct passenger rail service in town, with the closest train stations located roughly 15 minutes away along NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line in Westwood or Hillsdale.
Parking is exceptionally easy and plentiful, with free on-site parking lots at all shopping plazas and free, unrestricted street parking available on almost all residential roadways.
Things to do in Northvale
- Relax or play recreational sports at Hogan Memorial Park
- Browse local shops and bakeries along Livingston Street and Paris Avenue
- Take a short drive to the nearby Palisades Interstate Park for scenic Hudson River hiking and viewpoints
Local favorites
- Biddy O'Malley's · Irish Gastropub · 4.5★ (820)A popular community gathering spot serving elevated pub fare, craft beers, and quality burgers.
- Madeleine's Petit Paris · French Restaurant · 4.5★ (310)Longstanding fine-dining French bistro and event space known for classic cuisine and intimate atmosphere.
- Northvale Classic Diner · Diner · 4.2★ (1150)Traditional New Jersey diner offering generous breakfast portions, sandwiches, and comfort food classics.
Neighborhoods near Northvale
Common questions about Northvale
Is Northvale safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Northvale a good place to live?
On safety, Northvale scores 93/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Northvale?
Walk score 48/100 and bike score 42/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Northvale are safer?
Rockleigh (97), Old Tappan (96), Harrington Park (96) score higher nearby.
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