Is Upper Saddle River safe?
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Upper Saddle River as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Upper Saddle River
“Go. Upper Saddle River is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and peaceful residential borough in northern Bergen County. There are virtually no violent crime risks, though visitors and residents should keep vehicles locked overnight to prevent opportunistic car thefts.”
About the area
Upper Saddle River is characterized by sprawling single-family homes on large wooded lots, quiet winding roads, and excellent municipal services. It offers a calm, semi-rural suburban ambiance with easy driving access to regional parks, golf courses, and commercial hubs along Route 17.
- Quiet Suburb
- Affluent
- Wooded / Scenic
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Upper Saddle River
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no bike-share systems or designated bike lanes, and narrow, winding roads without shoulders require caution when cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero and well below national and state averages
- Extremely high median household income exceeding $200,000 and near-zero poverty
- Well-maintained infrastructure, expansive residential properties, and active local policing
Cons
- Strictly car-dependent with virtually no walkable commercial districts
- Occasional property crimes involving unlocked vehicles parked in driveways
- Limited public amenities, dining, and retail options within borough boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a presence in Upper Saddle River, with no encampments or panhandling reported; comprehensive social services are available in larger Bergen County hubs like Hackensack.
What Upper Saddle River is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with light residential traffic, school buses, and occasional joggers on wide-set roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with pristine neighborhood streets and safe municipal parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very dark and tranquil with minimal street lighting; completely safe from street crime.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet with virtually no foot traffic; perfectly safe, though street navigation requires headlights due to dark winding roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit within the borough is minimal; NJ Transit provides commuter bus routes along nearby Route 17, and the nearest rail options are NJ Transit Main/Bergen County Line stations in neighboring Ramsey or Waldwick, about a 5 to 10-minute drive away.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free in private driveways, municipal lots, and park facilities; there are no parking garages or metered zones.
Things to do in Upper Saddle River
- Visit the historic Hopper-Goetschius House Museum to explore local 18th-century Dutch-American heritage
- Stroll or play sports at Lions Park along the Saddle River
- Explore nearby nature preserves and hiking trails at the adjacent Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Local favorites
- Upper Saddle River Library · Public Library & Community Center · 4.8★ (42)A welcoming, well-resourced community hub offering quiet reading rooms, books, and family events.
- The Shannon Rose Irish Pub · Irish Pub & Restaurant · 4.3★ (1850)A lively regional dining destination on the nearby Route 17 corridor serving classic pub comfort food.
- Hopper-Goetschius House Museum · History Museum · 4.7★ (28)A historic Dutch-colonial farmhouse and outbuildings maintained by the local historical society.
Neighborhoods near Upper Saddle River
Common questions about Upper Saddle River
Is Upper Saddle River safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Upper Saddle River a good place to live?
On safety, Upper Saddle River scores 94/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Upper Saddle River?
Walk score 12/100 and bike score 24/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Upper Saddle River are safer?
Allendale (NJ) (97), Saddle River (96) score higher nearby.
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