50 Best New Jersey Towns For Families: 2019 Rankings

You can probably identify the best places to live in New Jersey by asking this question: Is it best for the family?

That's why the publication New Jersey Family, a resource for New Jersey parents, has announced New Jersey's "Best Towns for Families 2019." The list ranks 500-plus New Jersey towns "through the lens" of how family friendly they are, from top to bottom (see list below).

A number of Jersey Shore towns ranked low on the list, particularly in Ocean County.

Montgomery Township, located in Somerset County, tops this year’s list of more than 500 towns.

“To make our list, we looked at things that matter to families, like stellar public schools along with safety, affordability anddiversity,” says Dina El Nabli, New Jersey Family’s editor.

“I’m excited and honored that Montgomery Township has been selected,” says Montgomery Mayor Sadaf Jaffer. “With over 7,700 acres of parkland, farmland and open space preserved, Montgomery provides a serene and green environment to raise a family. We value sustainability and the environment, and we were one of the first municipalities to certify under the Sustainable New Jersey program.”

From participation in local cleanups to hosting charity events, township residents know how to show up, township leaders say.

“Since my family moved here in 2010, I've been consistently impressed with the quality of our schools, the safety of our town and the services the township provides,” says Montgomery Deputy Mayor Catherine Gural. “I'm not surprised in the least to see our town reach the top spot, and I credit the community in its entirety for making that happen. We're a shining example of what can happen when people of all backgrounds come together.”

The April issue of New Jersey Family features the rankings of all New Jersey municipalities with populations of more than 1,500 people, and includes profiles of the top towns in 11 counties. Go to njfamily.com/besttowns to see profiles of the top towns in all 21 counties in the state.

Research methodology can be found at njfamily.com/methodology

New Jersey’s top 50 towns for families are:

1. Montgomery, Somerset County
2. Glen Rock, Bergen County
3. Bedminster, Somerset County
4. Mendham Twp., Morris County
5. Bernards Twp., Somerset County
6. West Windsor, Mercer County
7. North Caldwell, Essex County
8. Raritan Twp., Hunterdon County
9. Clinton Twp., Hunterdon County
10. Union Twp., Hunterdon County
11. East Amwell, Hunterdon County
12. Ho-Ho-Kus, Bergen County
13. Bethlehem, Hunterdon County
14. Harding, Morris County
15. Chatham Borough, Morris County
16. Plainsboro, Middlesex County
17. Haddonfield, Camden County
18. Verona, Essex County
19. New Providence, Union County
20. Green Brook, Somerset County
21. Berkeley Heights, Union County
22. Northvale, Bergen County
23. Hopewell Twp., Mercer County
24. Allendale, Bergen County
25. Cranford, Union County
26. Moorestown, Burlington County
27. Hillsborough, Somerset County
28. Harrington Park, Bergen County
29. South Brunswick, Middlesex County
30. Warren Twp., Somerset County
31. Demarest, Bergen County
32. Readington Twp., Hunterdon County
33. Hanover Twp., Morris County
34. Mendham Borough, Morris County
35. Alexandria, Hunterdon County
36. Robbinsville, Mercer County
37. Marlboro, Monmouth County
38. Mahwah, Bergen County
39. Chester Twp., Morris County
40. Fair Haven, Monmouth County
41. Closter, Bergen County
42. Chatham Twp., Morris County
43. Allentown, Monmouth County
44. Mantua, Gloucester County
45. Harrison, Gloucester County
46. East Hanover, Morris County
47. Kingwood, Hunterdon County
48. Wyckoff, Bergen County
49. Oakland, Bergen County
50. Oradell, Bergen County

The best towns for families by county are…

• Atlantic County – Northfield
• Bergen County – Glen Rock
• Burlington County – Moorestown
• Camden County – Haddonfield
• Cape May County – Upper Twp.
• Cumberland County – Deerfield
• Essex County – North Caldwell
• Gloucester County – Mantua Twp.
• Hudson County – Secaucus
• Hunterdon County – Raritan
• Mercer County – West Windsor
• Middlesex County – Plainsboro
• Monmouth County – Marlboro
• Morris County – Mendham Twp.
• Ocean County – Point Pleasant Beach
• Passaic County – Ringwood
• Salem County – Upper Pittsgrove
• Somerset County – Montgomery (and best in NJ)
• Sussex County – Byram Twp.
• Union County – New Providence
• Warren County – Frelinghuysen Twp.

Find the full rankings here: njfamily.com/besttowns