$562,073Average Value$281Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
A strong oil refinery presence in a city with extensive suburban stretches
Linden sits on the cusp of Newark Bay, an important feature of the Elizabeth metro area that’s just 10 miles south of Newark. Around 44,000 people live in this growing city, and the median age is 40. Polish culture is especially strong in the city center, where over 15% of residents primarily speak Polish at home. The annual Polish Festival is held in September by City Hall. Even the city’s name comes from Slavic reverence for the linden tree.
It’s possible to commute to New York City, which is only 20 miles northeast, but many local industries define Linden. A leading local industry is the Phillips 66 oil refinery, located in the Bayway neighborhood. This isn’t just a big deal for Linden – it’s the second-biggest refinery on the East Coast and one of the country’s largest. Also on the water is the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, one of the world’s busiest ports. Merck, a pharmaceutical giant, sits opposite in west Linden and spreads into the Rahway neighborhood.
“Union County is very diverse, we go from lower income up to high earners really quick, from town to town,” says Mario Aristizabal, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Liberty. “You’ll see a lot of municipal workers for Elizabeth city schools and government living in the northern part of Linden, in the Elmora neighborhood.”
Linden is home to around 44,000 residents, with a median age of 40.
Polish culture thrives in Linden's city center, adding vibrant traditions and flavors.
Phillips 66 oil refinery in Linden's Bayway neighborhood drives local industry.
Linden, in Union County, showcases diversity from varied incomes to vibrant communities.
1/4
Colonial styles and Cape Cods in quiet, walkable settings
“Bayway has lots of new construction, most of it multi-family,” says Rosmena DeSa, a Realtor with RE/MAX New Millennium Group. When they come on the market, they tend to go under contract soon. Currently there are more buyers interested in the area than available inventory.” If homebuyers want access to midcentury homes, or even homes built in the early 20th century, they may want to seek out northern neighborhoods. “Elmora is the most desirable area,” says Romina Scandroglio, a Realtor with Keller Williams Metropolitan. “The homes are older. But part of Elmora near Kean University is upcoming. They’ve been putting in new buildings and luxury properties.”
For the most part, Linden offers a suburban experience with sidewalks, yards and driveways, like in the Sunnyside neighborhood. “Sunnyside is kind of like the textbook suburbia that was built up in the 1940s. A lot of the houses still have that backbone to them,” says Frank Della Femina, a broker-associate with Hallmark Realtors who lived in Linden for seven years. Homebuyers will find Cape Cods and colonial-influenced homes ranging from $350,000 to $600,000. Craftsman-inspired styles from the 2020s and modern traditional homes range from $650,000 to $800,000.
Linden features multi-family homes, especially in the thriving Bayway neighborhood.
Linden provides a suburban charm with sidewalks, yards, and driveways for residents.
Linden showcases charming Cape Cod-style homes in its suburban neighborhoods.
Linden features timeless colonial-influenced homes in its peaceful neighborhoods.
1/4
Kean University noted for its STEM programs
The Linden Public School District earns a C-plus from Niche. Kean University is 3 miles north of the city is noted for its STEM programs, and is the fourth-largest university in New Jersey. The campus features historic buildings like Liberty Hall, where U.S. Presidents George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant once stayed.
Kean University, just north of Linden, is renowned for its exceptional STEM programs.
Linden Public School No. 1 serves 374 students with a low student-teacher ratio of 9:1.
Linden School No. 6 fosters education and growth in the heart of Linden.
Linden's school 10 in the Wilson Park section has over 240 students in grades PK, K-5.
1/4
Strolling among trees in Peach Orchard Park
Small pocket parks are dotted across Linden, but for those who want a paved loop trail, Peach Orchard Park is the place to go. John Russell Wheeler Park offers more extensive amenities, like a skate park, spray pad, playground and athletic field. The area’s biggest green space, though, is Warinanco Park. “It’s in the Elmora neighborhood, shared with Roselle,” says Aristizabal. Over 200 acres large, it’s a popular place to play sports or take a leisurely stroll, thanks to the scenic wooded surroundings.
A family strolls with their kids at Peach Orchard Park in Linden, enjoying the day.
John Russell Wheeler Park in Linden features a fun dragon spray pad for all ages.
The soccer field in John Russell Wheeler Park offers a place for fun matches year-round.
Warinanco Park in Elmora has vibrant playground equipment for kids to enjoy.
1/4
Polish specialties downtown, and a hit pizza place in the Bayway neighborhood
Linden’s downtown along North Wood Avenue is where patrons will find Pulaski Meat Products, a Polish specialty grocer open since the 60s. Small, locally owned restaurants pop up at other corners of the city – and they attract visitors from all over, too. “The Bayway neighborhood has a place that’s over 100 years old, Santillo’s Pizza,” says Sagrario Javier, a Realtor with Exp Realty. “The best way I could describe it is like eating a rich pasta meal. It’s really good pizza.”
On the north side, closer to Roselle Park, the corridor of Westfield Avenue is a reliable stretch for finding food and entertainment, like Dowling's, an Irish bar. It’s also along this stretch that residents will find stores like Dollar Tree, Shop Rite and the Elmora Farmers Market.
Pulaski Meat Products in Linden offers authentic Polish specialties since the 1960s.
Venice Pizza in Linden is a beloved small, locally owned restaurant serving the community.
Dollar Tree on Westfield Avenue in Linden offers convenient shopping for everyday needs.
Shop Rite in Linden provides a one-stop destination for all your grocery needs.
1/4
Road and rail commuter options, plus proximity to Newark Airport
“One of the main attractions of Linden is its proximity to everything,” says Della Femina. “You’re five to 10 minutes away from Routes 1 and 9, which connect you to the turnpike to take you into the city, and you’re next to Clark and Cranford, which has one of the best downtowns.”
Newark Liberty International Airport is roughly 7 miles north, and the Linden Station on Wood Avenue takes riders to New York Penn Station. Interstate 278 begins here and provides an easy way for commuters to reach New York City and reaches into all five boroughs. The 20-mile journey takes 40 minutes.
Crime in Linden
According to data reported to the FBI, violent crime increased 29% and property crime increased 19% from 2022 to 2023 in Linden. Auto theft is one of the leading categories.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
Pushparaj Aitwal
Video By
Chris Freeman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kelly Arthur,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Linden, NJ sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Linden, NJ over the last 12 months is $275,000, down 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this spacious and sunlit 1-bedroom, 1 bath Condo, perfectly situated on the Top floor of a well-maintained elevator building in the heart of Downtown Linden. Offering 765 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space, this unit features an open-concept layout with a combined living/dining area ideal for entertaining or relaxing. The generous eat-in kitchen provides ample cabinetry and
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod in the heart of Sunnyside! With excellent curb appeal and a welcoming front porch, this home offers comfort, functionality, and space inside and out. Step into a cozy living room that leads to a hallway with two main-level bedrooms and a full bathroom. A formal dining room and bright eat-in kitchen make everyday living and
Well maintained Cape Cod house for sale . This house offers four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Newer windows approximately five years old. New roof and driveway from 2024. First floor offers a living room with bay window, kitchen, dining room, two bedrooms and full bath. Hardwood floors in the bedrooms and living room. Kitchen floor is vinyl with stainless steel appliances. Ceramic floor in
Welcome to this spacious and sunlit 1-bedroom, 1 bath Condo, perfectly situated on the Top floor of a well-maintained elevator building in the heart of Downtown Linden. Offering 765 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space, this unit features an open-concept layout with a combined living/dining area ideal for entertaining or relaxing. The generous eat-in kitchen provides ample cabinetry and
Welcome to this beautifully maintained expanded Cape Cod in the sought-after Sunnyside section of Linden. This home features four bedrooms and two full bathrooms, with a complete renovation completed between 2008 and 2010. Updates include a new roof, siding, electrical panel and wiring, renovated kitchen, two updated bathrooms, and a fully finished basement. The basement offers excellent
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod in the heart of Sunnyside! With excellent curb appeal and a welcoming front porch, this home offers comfort, functionality, and space inside and out. Step into a cozy living room that leads to a hallway with two main-level bedrooms and a full bathroom. A formal dining room and bright eat-in kitchen make everyday living and
This beautiful apartment spans 1300 square feet and includes 2 spacious bedrooms, 2 baths, and a bright, open-concept living area. High-end finishes include a farm sink, recessed lighting, quartz countertops, central AC, and forced heat, combining modern design with classic charm.
Welcome to this spacious and beautifully maintained apartment located on the sought-after west side of Linden, just steps from City Hall and nestled on a quiet, residential street. This home features an oversized living and dining area, perfect for entertaining, along with a modern, ample kitchen with brand new stainless steal appliances, ideal for home cooking. The recently renovated bathroom
It's What You've Been Waiting ForSophisticated and convenient. Bright and beautiful. This is life at The Hartlan—an all-inclusive rental experience that combines vibrant city living with all the creature comforts of home. Whether pursuing your passions or escaping the daily grind, our incredible amenity package offers a world of opportunity at your doorstep. Stretch out in the landscaped
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
