Living in Rutherford, New Jersey

The very roots of Rutherford, New Jersey stretch far back into the earliest settlers of this area, back to the Lenape Native Americans who settled the impressive ridge above the Meadowlands. That solid backbone of tradition and establishment linger today in the make-up of those who live and work in this borough.

Following an influx of European settlers in the late 19^th century, Rutherford enjoyed an economic building boom in the 1920’s as the idea of a “bedroom community” began to draw city dwellers into the idea of living close to work and yet enjoying the comforts of suburban living.

Located just eight miles from the bustle of New York City, Rutherford is a borough which combines the best of what this area has to offer – convenience to modern living and amenities while proving a sense of community and quiet in the center of it all. 

With less than 20,000 residents, Rutherford enjoys a wide spectrum of social and ethnic groups and lifestyles while maintaining a small enough population to appreciate a strong sense of community. It also benefits the community at large with a variety of shopping and culture.

A strong public school system is one of the many benefits of Rutherford's long and stable history. Education, culture and recreation are priorities to the borough management, government and residents of the area. Native resident William Carlos Williams, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is memorialized in his name being lent to the performing arts center, which offers concerts, ballet, opera and children's theater. 

Rutherford is also home to the Meadowlands Museum, which focuses on the rich local history of the area.

Residents can also take advantage of The Nereid Boat Club, a local rowing club and such volunteer organizations such as the GFWC Women’s Club of Rutherford, a non-profit in existence since 1889.

In addition to social and cultural activities, there are a plethora of beautiful parks for everyone to enjoy. Rutherford Memorial Park, in the northwest corner of town along the Passaic River, offers 30 acres for activities and includes two baseball diamonds, five softball diamonds, a Little League Baseball field, a football stadium, five tennis courts, two basketball courts, and three playgrounds.

Other active recreation parks include Tamblyn Field, and several smaller passive parks, including Lincoln Park across from borough hall, which was renovated in 2004. It includes a band shell and several monuments, including a cannon dating to the Spanish-American War and home to the borough’s 9/11 memorial, containing a piece of steel debris recovered from the site of the attacks. 

Lincoln Park has been a host to town events, concerts, and memorials for decades. The Rutherford Community Band plays concerts during the summer. Other concerts are sponsored by the borough, as well as several movie nights in the park during summers. In fall, it hosts The Bergen County Cultural festival, which is funded and run by The Civil Rights Commission. 

Rutherford can also boast of their annual LaborDay street fair which is the longest running street fair in New Jersey and usually attracts 20,000 people.

Vibrant and active, Rutherford’s long history offer a stable base and its residents provide the energy that keeps this borough growing and reaching for the next stage of it’s evolution from settlement to community.