Home of famous racehorses, now a bustling New Jersey suburb
If the name Preakness rings any bells, it’s likely due to the Preakness Stakes, a horse race held in Baltimore, Maryland and the second jewel of the Triple Crown series. Although the race takes place some 200 miles away, it owes its namesake to a New Jersey community in Wayne Township, where winning racehorses were once bred at a stable on the corner of Valley Road and Preakness Avenue. Today, that same intersection is home to Wayne municipal buildings, schools, churches and shopping centers — a true suburban hub. “I love our proximity to big destinations, but also the rich history and all of the things we have right at home,” says John Bartlett, a Preakness resident and Passaic County Commissioner. “North Jersey has always been a destination for people seeking good schools and access to parks and open space, and that only became more true during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We started seeing lots of new neighbors moving out of dense cities to get more elbow room.” Homes in Preakness are commonly situated on lots of one-third acre, which adds to the area’s sidewalk- and tree-lined suburban appeal.
From a bird's eye view, you can see the neatly manicured lots in Preakness, NJ.
Shai Shacknai Memorial Park has a large updated playground for children in Preakness.
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Myriad ways to commute into New York City
Preakness is just north of Interstate 80 where it meets U.S. highways 46 and 202, along with numerous other state roads. St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center is a major health-care employer located right along Hamburg Turnpike, one of Preakness’ central thoroughfares. New York City is about 20 miles southeast, though the drive can take anywhere between 1 to 2 hours. “A generation ago, many folks went into New York City for work – and you can still get to Manhattan easily by bus, train, or automobile,” Bartlett says. “Now, people are also just as likely to be commuting to work and school elsewhere in North Jersey, like Paterson or Morristown – and, of course, many more work from home.” NJ Transit buses stop along Valley Road, while trains depart from the park-and-ride Wayne Route 23 Transit Center. The nearest international airport is 25 miles south in Newark.
The New Jersey Transit bus has a number of stops in Preakness.
The nearest airport to Preakness is Newark Liberty International Airport.
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Late 20th century homes at above-average prices
Most homes in Preakness were built in the latter half of the 20th century, with a high concentration of split-level and bi-level homes. Millenium Mansions and other spacious New Traditional homes continued to be built throughout the 1990s, in addition to some townhouse and condo communities. The median price for a single-family home is $755,000, well above the national and state medians. Townhomes sell at a median price of $665,000. On average, homes sell after about 35 days on the market, slightly faster than the national average of 45 days.
Modern homes are spread throughout Preakness, NJ, offering a blend of contemporary design and comfort.
Townhouse communities are a popular choice for homebuyers in Preakness.
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Shop local or head to Willowbrook Mall
Preakness is just north of Willowbrook mall, a major regional shopping center known for its name-brand retailers and surrounding big-box stores. Residents can also shop without leaving Preakness, as the area is home to numerous grocery stores and small businesses tucked into strip malls. Likewise, both chain eateries and locally owned restaurants line the area’s thoroughfares. “We have numerous growing immigrant communities, which lends itself to some really fantastic cuisines from all over,” Bartlett says. “Where I live in Preakness, I’m minutes away from amazing Peruvian lomo and chaufa, Middle Eastern sweets, Thai curries, Turkish salads and pide, and of course the nation’s best bagels and pizza.” While a range of American and international restaurants can be found along Valley Road and Hamburg Turnpike, there’s a similarly diverse array of houses of worship along Preakness Avenue, representing Christian, Hindu and Jewish faiths.
The Willowbrook Mall is just a quick drive away from Preakness, NJ.
Grab a fresh slice of pizza at Taste of Tuscany in Peakness, NJ.
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Wayne Township schools score top marks
Wayne Township Public Schools receives an A rating from Niche, making it the top district out of 21 in Passaic County. Local zoning is split between Wayne Valley High and Wayne Hills High, with numerous elementary schools and private schools in the area, including DePaul Catholic High. Preakness is also home to Passaic County Technical Institute, which includes multiple academies, including one for STEM. "Our new Biotech Innovation Center, in cooperation with the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, offers students the chance to complete 12th grade with both a high school diploma and an associate degree in biotechnology – preparing them to go straight to work or giving them a two-year head start on their undergraduate education," Bartlett says.
Just northeast of Preakness’ residential streets is William Paterson University, a public university with an enrollment of more than 10,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The university’s Shea Center for Performing Arts is a popular venue for professional and student concerts, plus theatrical performances, lectures and sensory-friendly Symphonic Story Time concerts for families.
Wayne Hills High School in Preakness receives an A rating from Niche.
DePaul Catholic High School is a private institution near Preakness in Wayne, New Jersey.
Wayne Valley High School is home to 1,241 students.
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From hiking trails to the historic Dey Mansion
Preakness has myriad indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, ranging from small playgrounds to public pools and golf courses. Notably, Preakness Valley Golf Course is adjacent to Dey Mansion, a historic house museum where George Washington once made his headquarters during the Revolutionary War. To the north, Dave Waks Memorial Park grants multi-purpose grass and turf fields, as well as a wide-open area for flying model airplanes. Rugged hiking trails are also close by at High Mountain Park Preserve, which spans over 1,000 wooded acres. On rainy days, residents keep active indoors at the Wayne Township Community Center. “In the winter, the Wayne Farmers Market is held at the Wayne Township Community Center,” Bartlett says. “During the regular season from spring to summer, it’s in the Wayne Township Municipal parking lot.” Wayne Day, hosted once a year, also brings the community together at the municipal center with vendors, live entertainment and booths for local businesses, churches and schools.
Preakness locals come to High Mountain Park Preserve to walk their dogs or enjoy the outdoors.
Local vendors set up winter market booths near Preakness at Wayne Township Community Center.
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Crime rates trending downward, and four temperate seasons
According to FBI statistics, violent crime across Wayne Township decreased by about 20% between 2018 and 2023, while property crime increased by roughly 11%.
Preakness experiences four distinct seasons, with about 23 inches of annual snowfall. There is a minor risk of flooding around Preakness Brook, a small creek that runs through some of the area neighborhoods.
Written By
Elliot Schorr
Photography Contributed By
Brendan Rogers
Video By
Ellie Brown
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