Historic 1798 Caldwell Township parent of Livingston + Caldwell + entire Caldwell-cluster. 4th-largest Essex by area, LEAST densely populated Essex town 2020. West Essex Knights. Median sale ~$575K.
The original "Caldwell Township." Ten square miles of homes, business parks, and open land along Route 46 and I-80, with West Essex schools.
Fairfield is one of Essex County's largest and least dense municipalities — a 10.4-square-mile township of 7,872 residents (2020) in the Passaic River valley at the county's northwestern edge. Established in 1798 as the original "Caldwell Township" — parent to Livingston, Caldwell, and the other West Essex towns — it combines spacious residential neighborhoods with major business and industrial parks along Route 46 and Interstate 80.
The median sale runs about $575K, with low-density lots and a quiet, suburban-rural feel rare this close to the city. Local students attend the township's Stevenson and Churchill elementary schools and then West Essex Regional High School (the Knights). Renamed Fairfield in the 1960s and run under a township government, it offers space, value, and standout highway access for commuters and businesses alike.
Fairfield offers room to breathe — large lots, a low-density feel, and some of the best highway access in the county — paired with the respected West Essex Regional schools. For buyers who want space and connectivity over walkable density, it's a distinctive value.
Spread across more than ten square miles with under 8,000 residents, Fairfield offers larger lots and an open, low-density feel that's increasingly rare this close to Newark and New York.
With Route 46, Interstate 80, and Route 159 running through it, Fairfield is one of the most highway-connected addresses in Essex — a major draw for commuters and the township's many businesses.
Local elementary schools feed the well-regarded West Essex Regional High School (the Knights), shared with North Caldwell, Essex Fells, and Roseland — a steady anchor for family demand.
A spacious, value-oriented market, from ranches to larger custom homes on generous lots.
Larger and newer custom homes on the township's most generous lots.
Comparable to: West Caldwell, North Caldwell entry.
Classic colonials, splits, and ranches across the township — the core of the Fairfield market.
Comparable to: Roseland, Caldwell.
Smaller ranches, capes, and townhomes — the more attainable way into this spacious township.
Comparable to: Little Falls, Pine Brook.
A large township that separates residential pockets from its business corridors and open valley land:
The township's settled residential pockets — quiet, low-density streets of ranches, splits, colonials, and newer custom homes on generous lots, set apart from the commercial corridors.
The commercial and industrial spine along Route 46, I-80, and Route 159 — the township's business parks, retail, and the highway access that defines its connectivity.
The low-lying land along the Passaic River, including historic sites like the 1720 Van Ness House — open, green, and a reminder of the township's deep colonial roots.
The eastern edges toward West Caldwell and Roseland — settled residential streets with shared West Essex schools and quick access to the Caldwells' shops.
The northern and western edges toward Wayne and Pine Brook (Montville) — the township's quieter outer reaches, with easy reach into Passaic and Morris counties.
"Fairfield is the big, low-density township in the Passaic Valley — 10.4 square miles, one of Essex County's largest, and home to just 7,872. Established in 1798 as the original 'Caldwell Township' that gave rise to Livingston, Caldwell, and the other West Essex towns, it pairs spacious residential neighborhoods with major business parks along Route 46 and I-80. With a median around $575K, generous lots, West Essex Regional schools, and standout highway access, it's a distinctive value for buyers who want space and connectivity over walkable density."
Fairfield cross-shops with its West Essex neighbors — West Caldwell, Roseland, Caldwell, and North Caldwell.
| Town | Median Sale | Population | Land Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield ★ | $575,000 | 7,872 | 10.4 mi² |
| West Caldwell | $650,000 | 11,012 | 4.9 mi² |
| Roseland | $675,000 | 6,299 | 3.6 mi² |
| Caldwell | $625,000 | 9,027 | 1.2 mi² |
| North Caldwell | $1,050,000 | 6,694 | 3.0 mi² |
★ Subject town. Sources: Essex County government; U.S. Census. Fairfield population 7,872 (2020 census); 10.4 sq mi land, among the largest municipalities in Essex County, in the Passaic River valley; established in 1798 as the original "Caldwell Township," parent to Livingston, Caldwell, and the other West Essex towns; renamed Fairfield in the 1960s; township government; local elementary schools (Stevenson and Churchill) feed West Essex Regional High School (the Knights); major business and industrial corridors along Route 46, I-80, and Route 159; median sale price approximately $575,000. Comparison figures approximate. Verify property-specific pricing with The Prodigy Team before contract.
The Original Township. Fairfield is the ancestor of West Essex — the 1798 "Caldwell Township" from which Livingston, Caldwell, and the surrounding towns were carved. That deep history runs through its old roads and the colonial-era Van Ness House.
Space You Can Feel. Ten-plus square miles and under 8,000 residents add up to genuine elbow room — bigger lots, open valley land, and a quiet that's hard to find this near the city.
A Business Hub Too. Route 46 and I-80 give Fairfield a thriving base of business and industrial parks — convenient for those who work locally, and a steady contributor to the township's tax base.
West Essex Schools. The township's elementary schools and the shared West Essex Regional High School (the Knights) anchor family demand and connect Fairfield to its neighboring boroughs.
Access + Government. Under a township government, Fairfield's Route 46, I-80, and Route 159 access make it one of the most highway-connected towns in the county — space without sacrificing the commute.
Around $575K. Larger custom homes run $700K-$950K+, the core market $550K-$700K, and smaller homes $400K-$550K.
It's the original 1798 "Caldwell Township" — the parent community from which Livingston, Caldwell, and the West Essex towns were later carved, leaving Fairfield with one of the county's largest land areas.
Local elementary schools (Stevenson and Churchill) feed West Essex Regional High School (the Knights) in North Caldwell, shared with the neighboring boroughs.
Excellent — Route 46, Interstate 80, and Route 159 all run through the township, making it one of the most highway-connected towns in Essex County.
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