Garfield is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, situated along the Passaic River about nine miles west of Manhattan. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Bergen County, with roughly 32,700 residents living within a compact, urban-suburban street grid. The area's European settlement dates to the late 17th century, but Garfield emerged as an industrial center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, built around woolen mills and manufacturing along the river. The city was named in honor of President James A. Garfield following his 1881 assassination, reflecting the era's political currents. That industrial heritage shaped the city's dense housing stock of single- and two-family homes and its working- and middle-class character, which persists today. Garfield's population is notably diverse. A long-established Polish-American community has anchored the city for generations, with churches, bakeries, delicatessens, and a Polish language school reflecting that heritage, while more recent arrivals have added substantial Hispanic and other communities. This cultural mix shapes the city's restaurants, shops, and civic life, and ethnic festivals mark the local calendar. Transportation is a core asset. An NJ Transit rail station on the Main/Bergen County Line — with service on the Port Jervis Line — provides direct trains toward Hoboken and connections to New York City, and bus routes and nearby highways such as Interstate 80 and Route 21 extend regional access. For residents, Garfield offers a walkable, transit-connected, and relatively affordable alternative within Bergen County, close to employment centers in the Meadowlands and New York City while retaining a distinct, tight-knit urban character. Its dense streets, corner businesses, and multicultural dining scene distinguish it from the county's more suburban municipalities.