Looking for the perfect New Jersey suburb? You should consider moving to Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. Ho-Ho-Kus is a borough in northeastern New Jersey with a low crime rate and small-town vibe.Ā
The origins of its unusual name have been widely disputed. Many believe it comes from the Delaware Indian term, Mah-ho-ho-kus, which means "the red cedar", although there are several theories. There is also a debate over the spelling and whether itās Ho-Ho-Kus, Ho Ho Kus, or Hohokus. According to the boroughās official website, itās spelled as three words with a hyphen in between.
Ho-Ho-Kus is known for being the home of many historic landmarks, including the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern and The Hermitage. Although established in 1698, Ho-Ho-Kus was officially incorporated as a borough of New Jersey in 1908. Today, Ho-Ho-kus is a good place to live for families with low crime, great schools, and an easy commute to New York City.
Ho Ho Kus, NJ, is in Bergen County, New Jersey, in the northeastern corner of the state. Nearby communities and boroughs include Waldwick, Midland Park, Ridgewood, The Township of Washington, and Saddle River. New Jersey Route 17 also runs through Ho-Ho-Kus, offering access to the Garden State Parkway and other parts of the state.Ā
Ho-Ho-Kus is 27.7 miles or a 1-hour drive from New York City, and 26.1 miles or a 45-minute drive from Newark.
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The population of Ho Ho Kus, New Jersey, is 4,248 according to the 2020 census, which is a 4.4% increase compared to 2010. The population density is 2,350.3 residents per square mile. Many famous residents have lived in Ho-Ho-Kus, including former vice president Aaron Burr, businessman and entrepreneur David Duffield, and New York Giants head coach Jim Fassal.
Ho-Ho-Kus is a very family-oriented community and 89% of households are headed by married couples, while 32% of the population is 18 or younger. Ho-Ho-Kus offers suburban bliss with easy access to work opportunities, although the average commute time is 40.7 minutes, which is 30% higher than the New Jersey average.
Other Ho-Ho-Kus demographics
Ho-Ho-Kus is a very safe community. The total crime rate is 690 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 71% lower than the national average. No violent crimes were reported in 2021 (the most current FBI crime data), and even the property crime is 65% lower than the national average.
The Ho-Ho-Kus police department patrols the city and employs 16 sworn officers and five civilian personnel.
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Living in Ho-Ho-Kus is not the most affordable, but it is reasonably priced for all the value the borough offers. The cost of living index for Bergen County is 123.4, which indicates it's 23.4% more expensive than the rest of the US.
According to the Family Budget Calculator by the Economic Policy Institute, the average family of four with two adults and two children would need to make $110,623 to afford to live in Bergen County.
Typical Ho-Ho-Kus living expensesĀ
Source: PayscaleĀ
Redfin states that the median sale price of homes for sale in Ho Ho Kus NJ, is $1,355,000. The median sale price per square foot of houses for sale in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ is $484. The vast majority of housing in the borough is owner-occupied, and only 5% of homes are occupied by tenants. However, you can find more rental options in communities such as Ridgewood, Waldwick, and Hackensack. According to RentCafe, prices range from about $1367 for a one bedroom up to $4,000 for 2+ bedrooms.
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If you plan on moving to Ho-Ho-Kus, you'll likely want to know about the best neighborhoods. Ho-Ho-Kus is a small community, and there aren't very many distinct neighborhoods. However, residents will find plenty of beautiful cul-de-sacs with quiet, tree-lined streets and gorgeous Colonial and Cape Cod-style homes. The most desirable homes tend to be in the southeast, while the most affordable are in the southwest.
Ho-Ho-Kus has a humid continental climate, classified by warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature can range somewhat dramatically throughout the year and typically stays between 23°F and 85°F. However, in the winter, it can get as cold as 9°F, and summers can get as hot as 93°F. The borough also gets a fair amount of precipitation and averages about 48 inches of rain and 24 inches of snow yearly. So grab a jacket and pack an umbrella if you plan on living in Ho-Ho-Kus.
Ho-Ho-Kus is a small, primarily residential community, so there isn't much action and excitement. However, you will find a few local attractions and fun things to do in nearby communities in Bergen County. You'll find some shopping scattered around Zabriskie Park near the Franklin Turnpike, such as Katie Diamond Jewelry and BB Clover. You can also head to the Westfield Garden State Plaza or Edgewater Commons for more brand-name retailers. Here are a few additional Ho-Ho-Kus attractions.
The Hermitage is a historic landmark that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 14-room Gothic Revival house was originally designed by William H. Ranlett and Elijah Rosencrantz, Jr. and is now a museum with guided tours and a gift shop.
335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 (201) 445-8311
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The 16-Acre Park is a small green space in the heart of Ho Ho Kus with an iconic gazebo that hosts movies in the summertime.
333 Warren Ave, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 (201) 652-4400
Sky Zone is a trampoline park in the nearby community of Allendale that features battle beams, dodgeball, trampoline basketball, and foam pits and offers packages for birthday parties and other events.Ā
80 Commerce Dr, Allendale, NJ 07401 (201) 574-1800
If you're looking for more fun things to do in Ho-Ho-Kus, the Recreation Commission has news bulletins and information about community events on its website.
Although it's a small community, residents will find a wide variety of amazing Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ restaurants serving everything from Italian food to Japanese cuisine. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Ho-Ho-Kus.
The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern is another local historic landmark that was built in 1790 and one of the best restaurants in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, with delectable entrees like lobster pappardelle and diver sea scallops.
1 E Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 (201) 445-4115
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Albert's is a quaint local eatery serving Italian and New American dishes like calamari fritti and black mission fig pizza in a casual setting with an outdoor patio.
4 Sycamore Ave, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 (201) 389-6377
Tojo's is one of the best restaurants in Ho-Ho-Kus if you're in the mood for Japanese, and it serves authentic ramen with pork broth, along with dumplings, spring rolls, and other small plates.
5 N Franklin Tpke, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 (551) 210-3584
Moving to Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ also offers plenty of employment opportunities. Ho Ho Kus is a small yet affluent community with a thriving local economy supported by industries like wholesale trade, healthcare, and manufacturing. Most residents living in Ho Ho Kus are employed in management, sales, or business and financial occupations. You may find a few small businesses here and there, but most residents commute to other parts of New Jersey or New York City for work.
The largest private sector employers in Bergen County are:
Payscale states that the average salary of a Ho-Ho-Kus resident is $74,000 per year. The average salaries of a few common Ho-Ho-Kus jobs include:
Even though there aren't too many economic opportunities within the borough itself, residents will still find plenty of great Ho-Ho-Kus jobs in nearby communities, ranging from substitute teacher to merchandise associate.
Families moving to Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ will likely want to know about the quality of the schools. The Ho-Ho-Kus School District is also highly respected and offers pre-K through eighth grade. According to US News and World Report, the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School ranks #14 in the state for middle schools and #85 in the state for elementary schools. It serves about 587 students and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.
High school students will attend Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, which ranks among the top 1000 high schools in the country.
Residents can also stop by the Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library for books, media, and community events.
Explore more fun things to do, restaurants, and attractions with this map of Ho-Ho-Kus.
When youāre ready to move to this peaceful New Jersey suburb, trust our experienced Ho-Ho-Kus movers to make your journey easy and straightforward. Call 201-653-1808 today for a personalized moving estimate.
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