Demarest is a small borough in the northeastern corner of Bergen County, New Jersey, within the Gateway Region and the greater New York City metropolitan area. Situated about eight miles north of the George Washington Bridge, it offers a notably short commute into Manhattan while retaining a quiet, residential character. Its population was 4,981 in the 2020 census, and the borough's modest scale has helped preserve the low-density, leafy feel that residents value. The community's history reaches back to the colonial era. It was settled in 1677 by David Demarest, a French Huguenot whose name the borough still carries, and it was formally incorporated in 1903. Unlike many Bergen County towns that filled in with dense development, Demarest has kept its residential character, with varied terrain, mature trees, and comparatively little commercial growth. At the center of town sits the Duck Pond, a section of Tenakill Brook that functions as a year-round gathering place and landmark. Education is central to Demarest's identity. The borough operates its own K-8 school district, and high school students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, a nationally recognized campus consistently ranked among New Jersey's top public high schools and shared with several neighboring towns. That reputation is a primary reason families choose the borough. Life in Demarest is low-key and suburban. The Demarest Nature Center maintains walking trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, and conservation land, while the surrounding Northern Valley offers shopping, dining, and cultural amenities in nearby towns such as Closter, Cresskill, and Tenafly. For commuters and families seeking a small, high-achieving school district within easy reach of Manhattan, Demarest is a long-established, sought-after address.