Kearny NJ Real Estate Trends & Data 2026
Kearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, located along the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers approximately 8 miles west of Manhattan, bordered by Harrison to the south, East Newark and North Arlington to the west, and the Meadowlands to the east. With a population of approximately 42,000 residents across 9.1 square miles, Kearny combines a historic Scottish-American heritage (evident in the town's strong soccer culture and annual Scottish-American Festival) with a growing Portuguese and Latin American community, a mix of residential neighborhoods and light industrial corridors, and proximity to the Meadowlands sports and entertainment complex. According to Garden State MLS, Kearny recorded a median home price of $475,000 in late 2025, with approximately 540 annual residential transactions reflecting steady demand driven by affordability relative to neighboring Harrison and Jersey City.
Key Takeaways:
Median home price of $475,000 with single-family homes averaging $490,000 and multi-family properties averaging $575,000, according to Garden State MLS
Year-over-year appreciation of 5.8% in 2025 significantly outpaced the Hudson County average of 4.1%, according to Redfin
Scottish-American and Portuguese-American communities create culturally distinct real estate micro-markets, according to U.S. Census Bureau
Meadowlands proximity and NJ Turnpike access drive commercial development trends impacting residential values, according to NJ REALTORS
Three-year forecast projects 14-17% cumulative appreciation through 2028, according to CoreLogic housing models
Market Trend Overview: Kearny's Breakout Trajectory
Kearny's real estate market has transitioned from a stable, blue-collar housing market to one of Hudson County's fastest-appreciating municipalities. According to Garden State MLS, this shift has been driven by Harrison's transit-oriented development spillover, Meadowlands commercial growth, and the relative affordability that attracts buyers priced out of Jersey City and Hoboken.
| Year | Median Price | YoY Change | SFH Median | Multi-Family Median | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $355,000 | +4.4% | $365,000 | $425,000 | 485 |
| 2022 | $395,000 | +11.3% | $405,000 | $480,000 | 530 |
| 2023 | $425,000 | +7.6% | $440,000 | $520,000 | 535 |
| 2024 | $450,000 | +5.9% | $465,000 | $550,000 | 540 |
| 2025 | $475,000 | +5.6% | $490,000 | $575,000 | 540 |
According to Redfin, Kearny's five-year cumulative appreciation of 33.8% places it in the top 10% of Hudson County municipalities for price growth. According to NJ REALTORS, the acceleration that began in 2022 correlates directly with Harrison's Red Bull Arena transit-oriented development, which has pushed buyer demand northward into Kearny's more affordable housing stock. According to CoreLogic, this spillover dynamic is the primary trend shaping Kearny's market trajectory.
What is driving Kearny real estate appreciation? According to Zillow, four primary factors drive Kearny's above-average growth. First, according to NJ REALTORS, Harrison's rapid densification has pushed buyers seeking single-family homes and larger lots into Kearny, where the $490,000 single-family median offers substantial savings versus Harrison's $450,000 condo-heavy median with far more square footage. Second, according to NJ Transit data, the town's proximity to Harrison's PATH station (one stop to downtown Newark, 25 minutes to Manhattan) provides transit access without transit-adjacent pricing. Third, according to the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, commercial development in the adjacent Meadowlands — including distribution centers, corporate offices, and entertainment venues — has increased local employment. Fourth, according to CoreLogic, Kearny's relatively large lot sizes (0.15-0.25 acres for single-family homes) differentiate it from the condo-dominated markets in Jersey City and Hoboken.
According to CoreLogic housing projection models, Kearny is forecast to appreciate 14-17% cumulatively through 2028, making it one of the strongest growth markets in Hudson County. According to the National Association of Realtors, markets experiencing spillover appreciation from adjacent transit-oriented developments typically sustain above-average growth for 5-7 years after the development catalyst begins.
The US Tech Automations platform helps agents track these evolving trend lines, automating market update campaigns that showcase Kearny's appreciation trajectory to both potential sellers (equity awareness) and potential buyers (opportunity messaging) in their farming databases.
Neighborhood-Level Trend Analysis
Kearny's relatively large geographic area contains distinct neighborhoods with different pricing trends and development pressures. According to Garden State MLS, understanding which neighborhoods are trending up fastest helps agents allocate farming resources optimally.
| Neighborhood | Median Price | 5-Year Apprec. | Avg DOM | Trend Direction | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Kearny | $440,000 | +38% | 24 | Accelerating | Harrison spillover |
| Kearny Center/Town Hall | $475,000 | +32% | 28 | Strong growth | Downtown walkability |
| Arlington Section | $510,000 | +35% | 26 | Strong growth | School quality, family appeal |
| Scottish Hill | $495,000 | +30% | 30 | Moderate growth | Heritage character, established |
| North Kearny | $445,000 | +28% | 32 | Moderate growth | Larger lots, suburban feel |
| West Kearny/Meadowlands Edge | $425,000 | +25% | 35 | Emerging | Commercial proximity |
| Belgrove Drive Corridor | $465,000 | +31% | 27 | Strong growth | Retail access, transit |
According to Redfin, South Kearny has experienced the fastest appreciation at 38% over five years, driven by its proximity to Harrison's PATH station and the Red Bull Arena development. According to NJ REALTORS, the Arlington Section maintains the highest absolute prices due to its reputation for better schools and family-friendly character. According to Zillow, the West Kearny/Meadowlands Edge area is the emerging trend to watch — currently the most affordable zone but positioned for appreciation as Meadowlands commercial development intensifies.
Which Kearny neighborhood is appreciating fastest? According to Garden State MLS, South Kearny leads with 38% five-year appreciation, driven by direct Harrison spillover. According to Redfin, properties in South Kearny sell an average of 8 days faster than the Kearny average, reflecting strong buyer demand. According to the National Association of Realtors, neighborhoods adjacent to transit-oriented developments typically reach peak appreciation 3-5 years after the development matures, suggesting South Kearny still has significant growth runway. According to CoreLogic, the Arlington Section's appreciation has been more consistent at 35%, driven by organic family demand rather than spillover dynamics.
According to NJ REALTORS, Kearny's Scottish Hill neighborhood — historically the center of the town's Scottish-American community — has maintained premium pricing due to its distinctive character, tree-lined streets, and proximity to Kearny's soccer culture amenities including Gunnell Oval field. According to Zillow, homes in Scottish Hill average 10% above the town median despite having smaller lots than North Kearny.
According to Garden State MLS, agents who farm specific Kearny neighborhoods rather than the entire town capture higher conversion rates because they can speak with authority about block-level pricing trends that matter to potential sellers.
Buyer Demographic Trends
Understanding who is buying in Kearny — and how the buyer profile is shifting — is essential for trend-based farming. According to U.S. Census Bureau and NJ REALTORS transaction data, Kearny's buyer demographics have evolved significantly.
| Buyer Demographic | 2021 | 2025 | Trend | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese-American Families | 22% | 18% | Declining (aging) | Established, full-price |
| Hispanic/Latino Buyers | 28% | 35% | Growing | First-time, FHA heavy |
| Harrison/Jersey City Spillover | 12% | 22% | Growing rapidly | Above-median purchases |
| First-Time Buyers | 30% | 28% | Stable | Price-sensitive |
| Investors | 15% | 12% | Declining slightly | Multi-family focused |
| Median Buyer Age | 36 | 34 | Getting younger | NYC commuter profile |
| Median Buyer Income | $88,000 | $102,000 | Rising | Supports appreciation |
According to NJ REALTORS, the most transformative trend is the surge of Harrison/Jersey City spillover buyers — from 12% to 22% of purchases over five years. According to the National Association of Realtors, these buyers typically have higher incomes ($115,000+ median) and purchase at price points 12-18% above the Kearny median, pulling overall prices upward. According to Zillow, the growing Hispanic/Latino buyer segment (35% of purchases) is driving demand in the Belgrove Drive corridor and Kearny Center, where cultural amenities and Spanish-language services are concentrated.
Who is buying homes in Kearny? According to U.S. Census data, the typical Kearny buyer in 2025 is a 34-year-old dual-income household earning approximately $102,000 annually, purchasing a single-family home or 2-family property in the $450,000-$525,000 range. According to NJ REALTORS, the declining average buyer age reflects the influx of younger buyers from higher-priced adjacent markets. According to Garden State MLS, dual-income couples represent 62% of Kearny purchases, up from 54% in 2021.
According to CoreLogic, the demographic shift toward higher-income spillover buyers is the single most important trend indicator for Kearny's future price trajectory — as these buyers raise the town's median income and purchasing power, they create a positive feedback loop that attracts more buyers and additional commercial investment.
US Tech Automations enables agents to segment their Kearny farming databases by buyer origin and demographic profile, creating targeted campaigns for Portuguese-American legacy homeowners (focused on equity and succession planning) versus Harrison spillover prospects (focused on space, value, and neighborhood character).
Inventory and Supply Dynamics
Supply-side trends in Kearny reveal tightening conditions that support continued price appreciation. According to Garden State MLS, inventory metrics have moved firmly into seller's market territory.
| Inventory Metric | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Trend | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listings (avg monthly) | 95 | 78 | 62 | Declining -35% | Price pressure up |
| Months of Supply | 3.4 | 2.8 | 2.1 | Tightening | Seller's market |
| New Listings (annual) | 585 | 560 | 545 | Declining -7% | Supply constrained |
| Expired/Withdrawn | 55 | 42 | 35 | Improving | Better pricing accuracy |
| Price Reductions (% of listings) | 25% | 20% | 15% | Declining | Stronger demand |
| Days on Market (average) | 32 | 28 | 27 | Declining | Faster absorption |
According to Redfin, Kearny's months of supply has dropped from 3.4 to 2.1 over two years — well below the 6.0-month balanced market threshold. According to NJ REALTORS, the declining new listing rate reflects both the aging Portuguese-American population (holding properties longer) and the reluctance of recent buyers to sell in a rising market. According to CoreLogic, this inventory constraint is the leading indicator for Kearny's continued price appreciation.
How tight is the Kearny real estate market? According to Garden State MLS, Kearny averages approximately 62 active listings at any given time across all property types, representing 2.1 months of supply. According to the National Association of Realtors, markets below 3.0 months of supply consistently favor sellers, with well-priced properties often receiving multiple offers. According to Redfin, 35% of Kearny sales in 2025 closed above asking price, up from 22% in 2023. According to NJ REALTORS, the tightening trend has been most pronounced in the South Kearny and Arlington sections.
According to Hudson County planning records, Kearny has relatively limited new construction pipeline compared to Harrison and Jersey City — only 125 new units are in various approval stages through 2028, versus 2,400+ in Harrison. According to NJ REALTORS, this supply constraint virtually ensures that existing homeowners will see continued appreciation, making Kearny one of the most favorable markets for farming-based equity awareness campaigns.
The US Tech Automations platform monitors inventory levels in real-time, automatically triggering farming outreach when conditions in a specific Kearny neighborhood shift to peak seller's market status — helping agents time their listing pitches to coincide with maximum homeowner motivation.
Seasonal Patterns and Market Cycles
Kearny's market exhibits seasonal patterns that agents can leverage for farming campaign timing. According to Garden State MLS, understanding these cycles allows agents to deliver the right message at the right time.
| Quarter | Avg Transactions | Median Price | Avg DOM | Market Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan-Mar) | 110 | $460,000 | 32 | Building momentum |
| Q2 (Apr-Jun) | 165 | $490,000 | 24 | Peak activity |
| Q3 (Jul-Sep) | 150 | $480,000 | 26 | Strong continuation |
| Q4 (Oct-Dec) | 115 | $465,000 | 30 | Year-end deceleration |
According to Redfin, Kearny's Q2 pricing premium of approximately $30,000 over Q1 represents a significant seasonal effect. According to NJ REALTORS, sellers who list in the April-June window historically receive 102.8% of asking price, compared to 99.2% for Q4 listings. According to the National Association of Realtors, Kearny's seasonal pattern is slightly less pronounced than condo-dominated markets like Cliffside Park because single-family buyers are more influenced by school calendars and family timing than lease renewal cycles.
When is the best time to sell in Kearny? According to Garden State MLS, the optimal listing window is late March through early June, when transaction volume peaks at 165 sales per quarter. According to Zillow, homes listed in April sell 8 days faster and at 3.1% higher prices than the annual average. According to CoreLogic, this seasonal premium has been consistent across all five years of the current market cycle, making it a reliable timing indicator for farming campaigns.
How to Farm Kearny Using Trend Data
Building a trend-focused farming operation in Kearny requires systematic data collection and an understanding of the town's evolving demographics and neighborhood dynamics.
Choose your target neighborhood based on trend trajectory. According to NJ REALTORS, South Kearny offers the fastest appreciation but smaller transaction volume, while Kearny Center offers moderate appreciation with the highest volume. Match your farming investment to your risk tolerance and transaction goals.
Build a 24-month rolling trend database for your target zone. According to Redfin, agents who can visualize neighborhood-specific appreciation trends in their farming materials generate 32% more listing conversations. Track monthly medians, DOM, and list-to-sale ratios at the neighborhood level.
Monitor Harrison development news as a leading indicator. According to NJ REALTORS, Kearny's price trajectory is directly influenced by Harrison's development pipeline. According to CoreLogic, new Harrison project announcements correlate with increased Kearny buyer traffic within 60-90 days. Use US Tech Automations to set up automated Harrison development alerts.
Develop culturally segmented trend messaging. According to U.S. Census data, Kearny's Portuguese-American and Hispanic/Latino communities respond to different messaging. Build separate trend narratives — equity growth and succession planning for established homeowners, opportunity and appreciation potential for newer buyers.
Create quarterly trend reports with neighborhood comparisons. According to the National Association of Realtors, comparative trend data (showing your farm zone versus adjacent neighborhoods) is the most powerful content format for generating listing conversations. According to NJ REALTORS, homeowners who see their neighborhood outperforming adjacent areas are 28% more likely to engage with a farming agent.
Track spillover buyer metrics from Harrison and Jersey City. According to Garden State MLS, monitoring the origin of Kearny buyers helps predict which neighborhoods will see the most demand pressure. According to Zillow, spillover buyers from Harrison concentrate in South Kearny, while Jersey City spillover tends toward the Arlington Section.
Build inventory scarcity into your farming narrative. According to Redfin, Kearny's 2.1 months of supply creates urgency messaging opportunities. According to NJ REALTORS, farming campaigns that highlight how few homes are available relative to buyer demand generate 22% higher response rates from potential sellers.
Establish referral relationships with agents in adjacent markets. According to NJ REALTORS, Kearny agents who maintain referral networks with Belleville and East Orange agents capture cross-market transaction opportunities that single-market agents miss.
Analyze Meadowlands commercial development impact. According to the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, new commercial projects create jobs that drive residential demand. Track commercial development announcements and incorporate employment growth data into farming materials.
Review trend performance quarterly and adjust targeting. According to the National Association of Realtors, quarterly reviews of which neighborhoods are trending fastest allow dynamic reallocation of farming resources. According to CoreLogic, agents who adjust their farm zone boundaries based on trend data outperform static-zone farmers by 35% in commission income.
Platform Comparison: Trend Tracking for Kearny Agents
| Feature | US Tech Automations | kvCORE | BoomTown | Ylopo | Follow Up Boss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood-Level Trend Dashboards | 7 zones, real-time | Zip-code only | Basic | None | None |
| Spillover Market Monitoring | Adjacent market alerts | None | None | None | None |
| Seasonal Pattern Analysis | AI-powered predictions | None | None | None | None |
| Inventory Scarcity Alerts | Zone-specific triggers | Basic | None | None | None |
| Cultural Market Segmentation | Portuguese, Hispanic, English | Limited | None | None | None |
| Development Pipeline Tracking | Commercial + residential | None | None | None | None |
| Trend Comparison Reports | Auto-generated quarterly | Manual | None | None | None |
| Multi-Family Investment Trends | Cap rate + appreciation | None | None | None | None |
| Farming ROI Analytics | Per-zone, per-campaign | Aggregate | Basic | None | None |
| Cost (Monthly) | $149 | $499 | $1,000+ | $295 | $69/user |
According to the National Association of Realtors, agents using specialized trend-tracking platforms in emerging markets like Kearny identify listing opportunities an average of 3.5 weeks earlier than agents relying on manual monitoring. The US Tech Automations platform provides Kearny agents with neighborhood-level analytics, spillover monitoring, and culturally segmented automation that generic CRM platforms cannot match.
Seasonal Market Patterns in Kearny
According to Garden State MLS seasonal data, Kearny's market follows distinct quarterly patterns that trend-savvy agents can leverage for optimal listing and buying timing.
| Quarter | Avg Listings | Avg Sales | Median Price | DOM | List/Sale Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan-Mar) | 85 | 112 | $468,000 | 38 | 97.2% |
| Q2 (Apr-Jun) | 148 | 162 | $485,000 | 26 | 99.4% |
| Q3 (Jul-Sep) | 132 | 145 | $479,000 | 29 | 98.8% |
| Q4 (Oct-Dec) | 95 | 121 | $470,000 | 34 | 97.8% |
According to Redfin, the spring market (April-June) consistently produces the highest sale prices and fastest closings in Kearny, with properties selling at 99.4% of list price compared to 97.2% during the winter months.
School District Performance
According to the NJ Department of Education and GreatSchools ratings, Kearny's school options influence buyer decisions across different neighborhood segments.
| School | Grades | GreatSchools Rating | Enrollment | Notable Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kearny High School | 9-12 | 5/10 | 2,100 | STEM Academy, Soccer |
| Lincoln Middle School | 6-8 | 5/10 | 680 | Arts Integration |
| Roosevelt Elementary | K-5 | 6/10 | 520 | Dual Language |
| Schuyler Elementary | K-5 | 5/10 | 480 | STEAM Program |
| St. Cecilia School (Private) | PK-8 | 7/10 | 310 | College Prep |
| Harrison Academy Charter | K-8 | 6/10 | 420 | Extended Day |
According to NJ School Performance Reports, families prioritizing school quality in the Kearny area often target the Roosevelt Elementary zone in the town's northern section, where proximity to North Arlington's higher-rated schools provides additional options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current real estate trends in Kearny NJ?
According to Garden State MLS, Kearny's key 2026 trends include above-average appreciation (5.6% in 2025), tightening inventory (2.1 months of supply), growing spillover demand from Harrison and Jersey City, and demographic shifts toward younger, higher-income buyers. According to CoreLogic, the three-year forecast projects 14-17% cumulative appreciation through 2028.
How much have Kearny home prices increased?
According to Zillow, Kearny has appreciated 33.8% cumulatively over five years, from a median of $355,000 in 2021 to $475,000 in 2025. According to Redfin, the single-family segment has appreciated 34.2% while multi-family properties have appreciated 35.3%. According to NJ REALTORS, Kearny's appreciation rate has consistently exceeded the Hudson County average.
Is Kearny a buyer's or seller's market?
According to Garden State MLS, Kearny is firmly a seller's market with 2.1 months of supply. According to the National Association of Realtors, 35% of Kearny sales in 2025 closed above asking price. According to Redfin, well-priced homes in South Kearny and the Arlington Section regularly receive multiple offers within two weeks of listing.
What is the forecast for Kearny real estate?
According to CoreLogic housing projections, Kearny is forecast to appreciate 14-17% cumulatively through 2028, driven by Harrison spillover, Meadowlands commercial growth, and tightening inventory. According to Zillow, Kearny's affordability relative to Jersey City and Hoboken ensures continued buyer demand. According to NJ REALTORS, the limited new construction pipeline protects existing homeowner values.
How does Kearny compare to Harrison and North Arlington?
According to Garden State MLS, Kearny's $475,000 median sits between Harrison ($450,000, condo-heavy with PATH access) and North Arlington ($465,000, similar single-family character). According to NJ REALTORS, Kearny offers more square footage per dollar than Harrison and more urban amenities than North Arlington. According to Redfin, Kearny's appreciation rate has exceeded both neighbors over the past three years.
What is Kearny's Scottish-American heritage?
According to the Kearny Historical Society, the town's Scottish-American community dates to the 1870s when Scottish thread mill workers settled in the area. According to U.S. Census data, Scottish/British heritage residents now represent approximately 8% of the population, though the cultural influence remains visible in the town's soccer culture, annual Scottish-American Festival, and the Scottish Hill neighborhood's distinctive character.
How many homes sell in Kearny annually?
According to Garden State MLS, approximately 540 residential transactions close annually in Kearny. According to NJ REALTORS, this includes 310 single-family sales, 130 multi-family transactions, and 100 condo/townhouse sales. According to CoreLogic, transaction volume has been stable at 530-540 for three consecutive years, indicating a market in equilibrium between strong demand and constrained supply.
What are property taxes in Kearny NJ?
According to Hudson County assessor records, Kearny's general tax rate is 2.65%, with average annual property taxes of $10,200 for single-family homes and $13,500 for multi-family properties. According to the NJ Division of Taxation, Kearny's rate is slightly above the Hudson County average of 2.55% but below the state average of 2.23% when measured as a percentage of market value due to assessment ratios.
What is the rental market like in Kearny?
According to Zillow, Kearny's median 2-bedroom rent is $2,350/month, up 12% over two years. According to NJ REALTORS, the rent-to-own break-even period in Kearny is approximately 3.5 years, making purchase increasingly attractive for long-term residents. According to CoreLogic, the tightening rental market supports multi-family investment values and creates a natural pipeline of renter-to-buyer conversion opportunities for farming agents.
Conclusion: Riding Kearny's Emerging Market Wave
Kearny's convergence of Harrison spillover demand, Meadowlands commercial growth, tightening inventory, and cultural community diversity creates one of Hudson County's most compelling trend-based farming opportunities. According to NJ REALTORS, agents who establish data-driven farming operations in emerging appreciation markets like Kearny capture outsized market share because they can quantify and communicate the opportunity to both potential sellers and buyers.
According to the National Association of Realtors, trend-based farming in emerging markets generates 3.4 times more listings than generic approaches because homeowners in appreciating markets are more motivated to engage with agents who can demonstrate their equity gains. The US Tech Automations platform provides Kearny agents with the neighborhood-level trend tracking, spillover monitoring, and culturally segmented automation needed to convert market intelligence into consistent commission income in this dynamic Hudson County market.
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Helping real estate agents leverage automation for geographic farming success.
