Allendale is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 6,848, the highest recorded in any decennial count and an increase of 343 (+5.3%) from the 2010 census count of 6,505, which in turn reflected a decline of 194 (−2.9%) from the 6,699 counted in 2000.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

In 2012, Forbes.com listed Allendale as 481st in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", with a median home price of $579,081.Brennan, Morgan. "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes 2012", Forbes, October 16, 2012. Accessed February 18, 2020.

History In 1888, Henry J. Appert, a Swiss immigrant, drained a bog for the cultivation of onions and celery. The business—Allendale Produce Gardens, or the "celery farm" to locals—supplied wholesale markets and Campbell Soup Company. Allendale was formed on November 8, 1894, from portions of Franklin Township (remainder now Wyckoff), Hohokus Township (remainder now Mahwah) and Orvil Township (remainder now Waldwick).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 75. Accessed May 1, 2026.History of Bergen County Vol. 1, p. 335.

The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.Harvey, Cornelius Burnham. Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, p. 11, New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900. Accessed September 3, 2013. "For a period of sixteen years following the passage of this act few boroughs were organized in the State, only three of them being in Bergen County.... As it was twenty-six boroughs were created in the county from January 23, 1894, to December 18, of the same year." The borough was named for Joseph Warner Allen, a surveyor for the Erie Railroad.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015.

Babe Ruth would frequently vacation at the Allendale Hotel, which remains in use as a rooming house.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Allendale; A Tower Symbolizes Its Aspirations", The New York Times, June 4, 1995. Accessed May 16, 2012. "One of those hotels, the Allendale House, still exists as a rooming house. 'Babe Ruth used to come to vacation at the Allendale Hotel,' recalled Stiles Thomas, 71, who has lived his entire life in Allendale. 'He was always chasing women in town, including my mother.'"Keeble, Adam. "'Cornerstone of the town' celebrates 75th anniversary", Town Journal, October 28, 2010, backed up by the Internet Archive as of April 24, 2016. Accessed September 4, 2017.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.12 square miles (8.08 km2), including 3.10 square miles (8.02 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) of water (0.67%).

The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, Waldwick and Wyckoff.Areas touching Allendale, MapIt. Accessed March 17, 2020.Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 17, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

As of 2026, the borough is a member of Local Leaders for Responsible Planning in order to address the borough's Mount Laurel doctrine-based housing obligations.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition +Allendale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)6,0495,4505,26190.30%83.78%76.83%Black or African American alone (NH)2629420.39%0.45%0.61%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)4010.06%0.00%0.01%Asian alone (NH)4086248376.09%9.59%12.22%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)0020.00%0.00%0.03%Other race alone (NH)1112220.16%0.18%0.32%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)31862270.46%1.32%3.31%Hispanic or Latino (any race)1703044562.54%4.67%6.66%Total6,6996,5056,848 100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Allendale had a population of 6,848. The median age was 45.6 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.4 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,327 households in Allendale, of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 69.9% were married-couple households, 9.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 18.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,450 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.6%.

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 6,505 people, 2,236 households, and 1,798 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,388 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.41% (5,686) White, 0.51% (33) Black or African American, 0.05% (3) Native American, 9.64% (627) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.83% (54) from other races, and 1.57% (102) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.67% (304) of the population.

Of the 2,236 households, 42.8% had children under the age of 18; 70.8% were married couples living together; 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.5% were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.25.

28.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 18.6% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $131,563 (with a margin of error of +/− $22,630) and the median family income was $150,268 (+/− $26,670). Males had a median income of $121,089 (+/− $19,180) versus $71,534 (+/− $36,833) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $60,466 (+/− $8,969). About 1.0% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2013.

Same-sex couples headed 17 households in 2010, an increase from the 1 counted in 2000.Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed November 30, 2014.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,699 people, 2,110 households, and 1,795 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,143 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 92.48% White, 0.39% African American, 0.06% Native American, 6.09% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Allendale borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2013., United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2013.

There were 2,110 households, out of which 47.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.5% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.9% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $105,704, and the median income for a family was $113,390. Males had a median income of $88,210 versus $50,781 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,772. About 1.6% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. Culture

Allendale is home to the Celery Farm, a nature preserve that is home to hundreds of animals, including fox, deer, rabbits, frogs, turtles, rodents, and most notably exotic birds. Many rare birds have been observed by ornithologists including bald eagles, common ravens, and pileated woodpeckers. A full list of birds and their frequency of appearance can be found online.Celery Farm, The Fyke Nature Association. Accessed June 30, 2011.

There is a variety of recreation opportunities throughout the borough, including Crestwood Park, which covers and includes a man-made lake with three diving boards, three beaches, and six swim lanes. Included in the Park is a recreational barn, three baseball / softball fields, two soccer / football fields, a lacrosse field, and four tennis courts.Crestwood Lake & Park, Borough of Allendale. Accessed September 4, 2017.

Several episodes of the television show Ed were filmed in Allendale, including a Thanksgiving Day Parade episode. Scenes from the movie Presumed Innocent, starring Harrison Ford and Bonnie Bedelia, were filmed in Allendale.Staff. "Residents' Homes Are Real 'Stars' in Presumed Innocent", The Deseret News, July 27, 1990. Accessed November 6, 2008.

Government

Local government