Bordentown NJ Relocation Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Relocating to Bordentown means choosing one of the most historic and walkable communities in Burlington County, where 18th century heritage, an independent downtown along Farnsworth Avenue, and rail access to Philadelphia and New York all come together. Bordentown is really two communities in one: the compact, walkable City with its preserved historic district, and the surrounding Township with suburban neighborhoods, newer developments, and 55+ communities. With NJ Transit's River LINE stopping right in town, a quick connection to Amtrak and the Northeast Corridor at Trenton, and property tax bills below the New Jersey average, it attracts buyers who want small-town character without giving up city access.

I have helped families relocate to Bordentown and across Burlington County for more than 20 years. This relocation guide covers everything you need to know before making the move: the history, the schools, the housing market, cost of living, commute times, things to do, and what life in Bordentown is really like.

For a quick overview, visit the Bordentown Community Guide.

What Should I Know About Bordentown?

Bordentown traces its roots to 1682, when the settlement that became Farnsworth's Landing took shape on the Delaware River. Joseph Borden turned the young town into a transportation hub in 1734 by establishing a stage line between New York and Philadelphia, and the town was later renamed in his honor. During the Revolutionary War, Hessian forces occupied the area in 1776, and British troops burned much of the town in 1778. Both events are part of the deep history you feel walking the streets today.

Bordentown's most famous resident was Clara Barton, who founded the first free public school in New Jersey here in 1852 before going on to establish the American Red Cross. Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon and former King of Spain, lived in Bordentown from 1816 to 1839 at Point Breeze, his grand estate overlooking the Delaware. Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, also made his home here. The town's role in the Underground Railroad is another chapter residents take quiet pride in.

Today the local government is split between Bordentown City, home to roughly 4,000 residents in the walkable historic core, and Bordentown Township, which surrounds the City with about 12,000 residents in suburban neighborhoods. They share the same school district, the same ZIP code, and the same rail station, but they have separate municipal governments, separate tax rates, and genuinely different feels. That split is one of the first things to understand when house hunting here.

How Are the Schools in Bordentown?

The Bordentown Regional School District serves Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, and neighboring Fieldsboro (New Hanover Township students attend the high school on a tuition basis). The district operates five schools covering PreK through 12: Peter Muschal Elementary in the Township for PreK through grade 1, Clara Barton Elementary in the City for grades 2 and 3, MacFarland Intermediate School for grades 4 and 5, Bordentown Regional Middle School for grades 6 through 8, and Bordentown Regional High School for grades 9 through 12.

The honest picture is that Bordentown schools are solid, mainstream publicly funded schools rather than the nationally ranked districts you find in nearby Moorestown or Marlton. Niche gives the district a B+ overall and ranks it the fifth best district in Burlington County, while GreatSchools rates the middle and high schools as average compared with other New Jersey public schools. The high school's four-year graduation rate sits near 94 percent, above the New Jersey average of roughly 89 percent. For many moving families, that combination of a respected regional district with students from several towns is exactly what they want.

The district is well funded for a community this size, and families who want more options have strong private schools within a reasonable drive, including Doane Academy in Burlington Township and Moorestown Friends School. If schools are your top priority above everything else, it is worth comparing Bordentown against Moorestown or Mount Laurel before you decide, which is a conversation I am happy to have with real data on the table.

What Types of Homes Are Available in Bordentown?

Bordentown City's housing stock is its calling card: well-kept Victorians, colonial-era homes, brick rowhomes and twins, and characterful single-family houses on tree-lined streets, much of it inside the historic district centered on Farnsworth Avenue. Average homes run roughly 2,000 square feet on lots of about a fifth of an acre. If you love original woodwork, wraparound porches, and history you can touch, this is where the emotional heart of the town lives.

Bordentown Township offers the suburbia the City cannot: mid-century ranch and colonial developments, newer single-family subdivisions, townhome and condo communities, and 55+ active adult neighborhoods such as Village Grande at Crosswicks Creek and Greenbriar Horizons. Established Township neighborhoods like Clifton Mill, Williamsburg Village, and Bossert Estates deliver the classic Burlington County family-home experience with front yards, garages, and quiet streets.

Market trackers report the two towns together under ZIP 08505, so figures vary by source. Redfin's combined Bordentown market shows a median sale price around $330,000 with an average sale price near $418,000, while Niche pegs the median home value at about $345,000 for the City and $298,000 for the Township. In practice, most Bordentown sales land in the roughly $300,000 to $450,000 range, which keeps entry points below Moorestown, Medford, and Mount Laurel while still delivering a historic, commuter-friendly lifestyle.

What Is the Cost of Living in Bordentown?

Property taxes are the biggest line item New Jersey buyers ask about, and here Bordentown compares well with the state as a whole. According to the New Jersey Division of Taxation's 2024 average residential property tax report, the typical annual bill was $7,579 in Bordentown City and $8,176 in Bordentown Township, against a Burlington County average of $7,786 and a statewide average of $10,095. The effective tax rate runs about 2.5 percent in the City and 2.0 percent in the Township, high by national standards but at or below the New Jersey median.

Everyday cost of living in Bordentown is generally in line with central Burlington County. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare track the regional norm, and the main savings come from housing: the same budget that buys a starter home in Mount Laurel can buy a historic home with character in Bordentown City or a larger suburban house in the Township. For the rail commuter, keeping one car instead of two is a realistic and meaningful monthly saving.

Before you buy, ask for the actual tax bill on any home you are considering, not just the listing price. Taxes vary house to house depending on assessment, and I always pull the real numbers for clients as part of preparing a market report.

How Long Is the Commute From Bordentown?

Bordentown's rail access is the reason many families pick it over more isolated interior towns. The Bordentown station on NJ Transit's River LINE sits right in town, with service roughly every 15 to 30 minutes. Riders connect at Trenton Transit Center to Amtrak and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor for Philadelphia, New York, and everywhere in between, or ride the River LINE south to Camden for a PATCO connection into Center City.

Those are door-to-door estimates: about 11 minutes on the River LINE to Trenton, then roughly 25 to 30 minutes on Amtrak to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station or 60 to 80 minutes on NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, plus platform time at each end. Drivers have strong options too: Route 130 and Route 206 run through town, I-295 is minutes away, the New Jersey Turnpike is accessible via Exit 7, and Princeton is about 20 minutes up Route 206. NJ Transit bus route 409 also connects Trenton, Camden, and Philadelphia through the area.

What Is There to Do in Bordentown?

Farnsworth Avenue is the heart of it all. The historic street is lined with independent shops, antique stores, galleries, and a restaurant scene that punches far above the town's size. Locals and visitors alike gravitate to spots like Under the Moon Cafe, Marcello's, Old Town Pub, and Bordentown Square Tap + Grill on the Avenue, with Flying Pig Tavern & Tap and Town & Country Diner a short drive away on Route 130. On weekends, the same blocks fill with people strolling, eating outdoors, and catching up with neighbors.

The town sits right on the Delaware River, and outdoor life reflects it. Riverfront Park offers fields, courts, walking paths, and a playground along the water, while the towpath of the D&R Canal State Park starts nearby for miles of flat, scenic walking and biking. Crosswicks Creek meets the Delaware at the north end of town and is a quiet spot for paddling and fishing. The Bordentown Farmers Market brings the community together during the growing season, and seasonal events fill the downtown throughout the year.

History lovers can trace Clara Barton's original schoolhouse at Crosswicks and Burlington Streets, follow the story of the Underground Railroad through the preserved streetscape, and visit the grounds that once held Joseph Bonaparte's Point Breeze estate. For more of the same river-town character, nearby Palmyra and Florence make easy comparison stops on a Saturday drive.

How Do I Relocate to Bordentown Step by Step?

Moving to a new town can feel overwhelming. Here is a simple checklist to keep you organized:

• Visit the City and the Township: They feel completely different. Spend a morning walking Farnsworth Avenue and the historic district, then drive the Township neighborhoods and 55+ communities to see which side fits your lifestyle.
• Ride the train: Take the River LINE from Bordentown to Trenton and time the connection. The full commute experience, including parking at the station, is worth feeling before you commit.
• Tour the schools: Schedule visits to the elementary school your children would attend, plus Bordentown Regional Middle and High School.
• Research the market: Get familiar with recent sale prices in both the City and the Township. I can prepare a customized market report for you.
• Secure financing: Get pre-approved for a mortgage so you can move quickly when you find the right home. This step-by-step pre-approval guide walks you through it.
• Find an agent who knows the area: Local knowledge matters, especially in a historic market where every house is unique and City and Township taxes differ.
• Plan your move timeline: Coordinate your home purchase, closing, and move to minimize stress.

I can guide you through every step of this process, from your first visit to your closing day. That is what I do for every family I work with.

Why Should You Work With a Local Agent for Your Bordentown Move?

Relocating to a new town is one of the biggest decisions your family will make. You need an agent who knows the community, the schools, the commute patterns, and the market inside and out. With 20 years in the business, 728+ homes sold, and more than $115 million in career sales, I have helped hundreds of families find their place in Burlington County exactly the way I would want to be helped: with honest guidance, no pressure, and a focus on what is right for you.

I live and work in this market every day. I can tell you not just what homes are selling for, but what it is like to live in each neighborhood, how the schools really are, and which commute routes work best. In Bordentown, the City-versus-Township question alone changes everything about your search, and that is the kind of nuance a local agent earns you.

If you are considering Bordentown, I would love to help. Start with the Bordentown Community Guide, compare it with my honest take on Bordentown's pros and cons, or look at nearby Moorestown and Mount Laurel for comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions