Wanaque
NJ
Average Sales Price
-
Median Sales Price
-
Population
7,127
Total Listings
-
Living in Wanaque
Reservoir Views. Mountain Setting.
Lowest Tax Bills in the Area.
Everything you need to know before making Wanaque, NJ home.
Browse Listings
Active homes for sale in Wanaque
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Market Insights
Prices, trends & sold data
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Home Valuation
What's your Wanaque home worth?
→Wanaque takes its name from the Lenni Lenape — meaning "land of sassafras" — and the borough has lived up to that peaceful identity ever since. Set along the Wanaque Reservoir and flanked by the Ramapo Mountains, it has a quieter, more suburban feel than neighboring Ringwood while still offering the natural backdrop that makes this corner of Passaic County so appealing. Upper Manhattan is just 25 miles east; the mountains are right out the back door.
What sets Wanaque apart financially is its average tax bill of ~$9,716 — the lowest among all towns in this guide — combined with a median home price around $510K. That combination makes it one of the most cost-effective ownership propositions in North Jersey. The borough also hosts Lakeland Regional High School within its borders, an NJ Transit bus route to Port Authority, and direct I-287 access at Exit 55.
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Lowest Tax Bills Nearby
Avg ~$9,716/yr · lowest in this area guide
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NYC Bus Access
NJ Transit Rt. 197 · Port Authority downtown
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Reservoir & Lake Living
Wanaque Reservoir · Cupsaw Lake community
🏡
Appreciating Market
Median ~$510K · up 21% YoY · steady demand
🛣️
I-287 Access
Exit 55 · Upper Manhattan ~45 min off-peak
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Lakeland Regional HS
Located in Wanaque · 9.4:1 K-8 ratio
Commute & Connectivity
Getting There From Here
Wanaque sits on I-287 with NJ Transit bus service to Port Authority — a car-first borough with solid transit options for NYC commuters.
NYC Port Authority
NJ Transit Route 197 bus · stops in Wanaque
~60
minutes by bus
Upper Manhattan / GWB
Via I-287 E · Exit 55 to Ringwood Ave
~45
minutes by car (off-peak)
Newark Liberty Airport
Via I-287 S / I-78 E
~50
minutes by car
Paterson (County Seat)
Via Rt-511 S / I-287 S
~20
minutes by car
Willowbrook Mall (Wayne)
Via Rt-511 S · I-287 S
~20
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Wanaque runs its own PreK–8 district with an excellent 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio, then feeds into Lakeland Regional High School — which is physically located within the borough.
| School | Grades | Type | Student:Teacher | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haskell Elementary School Wanaque Borough Schools · Haskell section |
PreK – 8 | Public | 9.4 : 1 | B |
| Wanaque Elementary School Wanaque Borough Schools · Wanaque section |
PreK – 8 | Public | 9.4 : 1 | B |
| Lakeland Regional High School Located in Wanaque · shared with Ringwood |
9 – 12 | Public | 11 : 1 | B |
School grades from Niche.com. 9.4:1 K–8 ratio from NCES 2021–22 data. Lakeland Regional HS is physically located within Wanaque borough.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Wanaque Wanaque
Explore the reservoir views, local spots, and community life that define this quietly desirable borough.
The Lantern
Ringwood Ave · Wanaque's classic American greasy spoon — breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a loyal local crowd. The kind of place where the coffee is always hot and the portions are honest.
Local Landmark · American
Berta's Chateau
A Wanaque institution — elevated dining with an extensive wine menu in a comfortable, classic setting. The go-to for date nights and special occasions among longtime residents.
Fine Dining · Wine
Tree Tavern
A neighborhood tavern with a loyal following — comfortable, unpretentious, and the kind of spot where regulars have their own stool. A true local bar.
Bar · Local Favorite
Pizza One
Homestyle Italian and pizza on Ringwood Ave. A reliable weeknight option for families — generous portions and a warm, unpretentious neighborhood feel.
Italian · Pizza
The Meating Place
Family-owned butcher and deli open since 1991 — a genuine local institution on Ringwood Ave. The kind of place you stop into every week and know the staff by name.
Butcher · Local · Since 1991
Stop & Shop · Ringwood Ave
The primary grocery anchor for Wanaque residents — convenient, centrally located on the main commercial strip, and supplemented by specialty shops nearby.
Grocery · Walkable
Wanaque Reservoir
One of New Jersey's largest reservoirs — a scenic backdrop that defines the character of the borough. Protected as a water supply source, giving Wanaque its uniquely preserved natural landscape.
Scenic · Protected Watershed
Cupsaw Lake Community
A private lake community within Wanaque offering lake access to residents — one of the borough's most desirable micro-neighborhoods, where lakefront and lake-access homes command 10–20% premiums.
Lake Community · Private
Ringwood State Park Access
4,444-acre Ringwood State Park — with Shepherd Lake swimming, NJ Botanical Garden, and Ringwood Manor — is minutes north. One of NJ's finest state parks accessible as part of daily life.
Hiking · Swimming · ~10 min
Wanaque Recreation
Active borough recreation programs — youth sports leagues, seasonal events, and community facilities that keep families engaged year-round in this tight-knit community.
Youth Sports · Community
Wanaque Public Library
A community library serving both the Wanaque and Haskell sections of the borough — with children's programming, community events, and digital resources for residents of all ages.
Civic
Two-Section Character
Wanaque is made up of two distinct communities — Wanaque proper and Haskell — each with its own neighborhood feel, giving the borough a layered, village-within-a-village character that residents appreciate.
Two Neighborhoods
Wanaque Reserve (55+)
A premier active adult 55+ gated community with 24-hour security, mountain and pond views, and resort-style amenities — one of the most sought-after retirement communities in Passaic County.
55+ · Active Adult · Gated
Community Events
Wanaque hosts seasonal festivals, farmers' markets, and local events year-round — reflecting the borough's strong community identity and the pride residents take in their small-town character.
Community Events
Ringwood Avenue Strip
Wanaque's main commercial corridor — Stop & Shop, local shops, restaurants, salons, and services all along the borough's primary street. Everyday needs covered without leaving town.
Local Retail
Willowbrook Mall (Wayne)
Major mall with Macy's, HomeGoods, and full retail approximately 20 minutes south via I-287 — the primary destination for major shopping.
~20 min · Major Mall
St. Joseph's Health (Wayne)
Major regional hospital system in Wayne — the primary healthcare provider serving Wanaque and surrounding Passaic County communities, approximately 20 minutes away.
Healthcare · ~20 min
By the Numbers
Wanaque at a Glance
Municipality Type
Borough
Passaic County, NJ
Population
11,317
2020 Census
Sq. Miles
9.3
Includes Wanaque Reservoir
Median Home Price
~$510K
Up 21% YoY · appreciating fast
Avg Tax Bill
~$9,716
Lowest in this area guide
Bus to NYC
~60 min
NJ Transit Route 197
Zip Code
07465
Single zip borough
K–8 Ratio
9.4 : 1
Among best in Passaic County
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Wanaque
Buyers considering Wanaque often explore these nearby communities — each offering a mix of nature, value, and North Jersey access.
Ringwood
Shares Lakeland HS · more rural
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Pompton Lakes
Bordering · walkable downtown · A schools
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Oakland
Bergen County · slightly higher price
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Bloomingdale
Passaic County · quiet · affordable
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West Milford
Passaic County · most rural · lakes
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Franklin Lakes
Bergen County border · luxury
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Wayne
More amenities · Passaic hub
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Hawthorne
NJ Transit · walkable · affordable
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Allendale
Bergen Co. · walkable · NJ Transit
→Active Homes for Sale in Wanaque, NJ
Browse current active listings in Wanaque, NJ, including single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes.
Inventory updates in real time, giving buyers the most accurate view of available homes in the Oakland real estate market.
Recently Sold Homes in Wanaque, NJ
Recent home sales in Wanaque, NJ offer valuable insight into local pricing trends and buyer demand.
Review recently sold listings to better understand home values and market activity in the Oakland real estate market.
Demographics
Data provided by Attom Data
Population
Employment
Population
7.1K
7.1K in 2020
Density
770.6
per square mile
Households
2.7K
Total households
Gender
47% / 53%
Men Vs Women
Occupancy
83% / 17%
Owned Vs Rented
Age Median: Years
Education Level
Educational Environment
Elementary Schools (1)Middle Schools (1)High Schools (1)
Name
Category
Grades
Library
Ratio
6/10
Wanaque Elementary School
First St, Wanaque, NJ 07465
Public
PK - 8
No
10:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
Amenities & Attractions
Similar Neighborhood
Common Questions
Wanaque, NJ — Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and daily life in Wanaque from a team that works here every day.
Wanaque is a moderately competitive market showing strong appreciation. The median sale price jumped approximately 21% year-over-year as of March 2026, reaching around $612K on Redfin's latest data — a significant move for a Passaic County borough. Homes are averaging approximately 33–70 days on market depending on the season and price point, with lakefront and lake-access properties near Cupsaw Lake consistently moving fastest. Inventory is low and demand is steady. Talk to us about current Wanaque market conditions →
Wanaque's median sale prices have been rising sharply — from approximately $475,000–$510,000 in late 2025 to around $612,000 per the most recent Redfin data (March 2026, up 21% YoY). The range in the borough is wide: entry-level Capes and ranches start around $350K–$425K, while updated homes and lake-community properties near Cupsaw Lake can reach $600K–$800K+, with occasional waterfront properties exceeding $1M. The strong recent appreciation reflects growing demand from Bergen County buyers seeking more value in adjacent Passaic County.
Wanaque's housing stock is predominantly mid-20th century Cape Cods and colonials — the classic postwar suburban NJ home on well-kept lots. Sidewalks and streetlights line the residential streets, giving the borough a more suburban feel than neighboring Ringwood. The borough is made up of two distinct communities — Wanaque proper and Haskell — each with its own neighborhood character. Wanaque also features the Cupsaw Lake private lake community (popular with families for its seasonal recreation), and Wanaque Reserve — a sought-after gated 55+ active adult community with mountain and pond views.
Wanaque offers NJ Transit bus service on Route 197 with stops in the borough running to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan — approximately 60 minutes. By car, I-287 passes directly through Wanaque at Exit 55 (Union and Ringwood Avenues), providing direct highway access in every direction. Upper Manhattan is approximately 25 miles east — roughly 45 minutes off-peak via I-287 and the Palisades Parkway. The average commute for Wanaque residents is 30.2 minutes, reflecting a healthy mix of local employment and longer-distance commuters.
Wanaque runs its own PreK–8 public school district across two schools — Haskell Elementary and Wanaque Elementary — both with an impressive 9.4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, one of the best in Passaic County. Students then attend Lakeland Regional High School, rated B by Niche, which is actually located within Wanaque borough — a useful geographic convenience for families. Lakeland Regional serves both Wanaque and Ringwood and offers a University Program with college credit opportunities. Families prioritizing higher school ratings can also look at neighboring Pompton Lakes (A-rated, #1 in Passaic County).
Wanaque's 2025 general tax rate is 4.541% (effective rate 2.642%), per the NJ Division of Taxation. Like other Passaic County boroughs, the high nominal rate is offset by lower assessed values. The average annual residential tax bill is approximately $9,716 — the lowest average bill among all towns in this guide and lower than the Passaic County average of $10,862. On a $510,000 home, expect roughly $11,000–$13,500 per year. Tax bills are due quarterly: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Wanaque's average bill of ~$9,716 is the lowest in this area guide. For comparison: Pompton Lakes averages $10,700, Ringwood $12,177, Oakland $17,309+, and Allendale $17,309. The savings are real in absolute dollar terms. On a 30-year mortgage, the difference between Wanaque's tax bill and Allendale's represents over $225,000 in cumulative savings. For buyers weighing value, Wanaque's combination of low tax bills, appreciating home values, and reservoir/mountain setting is a compelling financial case.
Yes — Wanaque is experiencing strong seller conditions in 2025–2026, with prices up 21% year-over-year. The borough is increasingly attracting Bergen County buyers who have been priced out of Oakland, Franklin Lakes, and Mahwah and are discovering Wanaque's value proposition. Lakefront and lake-access properties near Cupsaw Lake are particularly strong, often receiving multiple offers. Well-presented, correctly priced homes — especially those marketed to Bergen County buyers — are performing exceptionally well. Get a free Wanaque home valuation →
Wanaque homes are averaging approximately 33–70 days on market depending on season and property type. Lake-community homes and updated properties near Cupsaw Lake are moving in 17 days or less with multiple offers in active seasons. Standard residential properties average around 33–50 days. Spring and summer are the strongest selling seasons — outdoor setting, lake access, and reservoir views are most compelling when buyers can experience them firsthand. Professional photography and marketing targeted specifically at Bergen County buyers is a meaningful differentiator in this market. Learn how we sell homes in Wanaque →
Wanaque has a more suburban feel than Ringwood to the north, while still offering the mountain and reservoir backdrop that makes this corner of Passaic County so appealing. Sidewalks and streetlights line the residential streets; Ringwood Avenue handles most daily needs — Stop & Shop, The Meating Place (a family butcher since 1991), The Lantern for breakfast, Berta's Chateau for a nice dinner. The Wanaque Reservoir provides a scenic and protected natural backdrop; Cupsaw Lake offers seasonal recreation; and Ringwood State Park is minutes north. The borough name translates from Lenape as "land of sassafras" — a fittingly peaceful name for a community that's been quietly delivering value long before Bergen County buyers started noticing.