Southwestern Essex DFG J top-3-NJ school district with NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Millburn HS Millers, Paper Mill Playhouse, and Wyoming historic district. Median sale ~$1.45M.
Short Hills prestige and a walkable downtown. Two Midtown Direct stations, top-tier NJ schools, the Mall at Short Hills, and estate living.
Millburn Township — which includes the renowned Short Hills section — is one of New Jersey's premier addresses, a 9.5-square-mile community of 21,710 residents (2020) in western Essex County. It pairs a charming, walkable Millburn Avenue downtown with the estate neighborhoods of Short Hills, anchored by nationally top-ranked schools and two NJ Transit Midtown Direct stations.
The township-wide median sale runs near $1.6M, but the market spans two distinct submarkets: estate Short Hills, where sales often reach into the millions, and the more attainable, walkable Downtown Millburn around the train and shops. Served by the top-rated Millburn schools and home to the Mall at Short Hills and the Paper Mill Playhouse, under a township government, it offers prestige, convenience, and a genuine ~35-minute ride to NY Penn.
Millburn and Short Hills sit at the top of New Jersey's suburban hierarchy — nationally ranked schools, two Midtown Direct stations, estate-scale homes, and premier shopping. For buyers who want the best of the New York commuter belt, this is the benchmark.
The Millburn school district is consistently ranked among the very best in New Jersey and the nation — the single biggest driver of the township's enduring demand.
The Millburn and Short Hills stations both offer one-seat Midtown Direct service to NY Penn in roughly 35 minutes — a rare two-station advantage at the top of the market.
A walkable Millburn Avenue downtown, the upscale Mall at Short Hills, and the Paper Mill Playhouse give the township everyday charm and premier shopping in one.
Two submarkets in one township: estate Short Hills (often $3M+) and the more attainable Downtown Millburn (around $1.45M).
Grand estates and new-construction homes in Old Short Hills and the Hartshorn sections, on the township's largest lots.
Comparable to: Essex Fells upper, top-tier Montclair.
Classic colonials and Tudors across Short Hills and upper Millburn — the broad heart of the township market.
Comparable to: Glen Ridge upper, Montclair upper.
Smaller homes, townhomes, and condos around the walkable downtown and station — the entry into the district.
Comparable to: Maplewood upper, Livingston.
The township runs from estate Short Hills through the walkable downtown to the reservation's edge:
The original estate section laid out by Stewart Hartshorn — grand homes on large, wooded lots, the township's most prestigious and expensive addresses.
The walkable heart — shops, restaurants, the Paper Mill Playhouse, and the Millburn station, with the township's most attainable homes and condos nearby.
The historic eastern section toward Maplewood and South Orange — established period homes on leafy streets, a beloved, settled neighborhood.
The western Short Hills neighborhoods near the Mall at Short Hills — larger homes, newer construction, and premier shopping close at hand.
The blocks along the South Mountain Reservation — scenic, green, and prized for direct access to the county's largest nature preserve.
"Millburn Township — including renowned Short Hills — sits at the top of New Jersey's suburban hierarchy: nationally ranked schools, two Midtown Direct stations, estate homes, and the Mall at Short Hills, all in a 9.5-square-mile township of 21,710. The market spans two submarkets — estate Short Hills, where sales reach into the millions, and the walkable, more attainable Downtown Millburn around the train. With a township-wide median near $1.6M and a ~35-minute ride to NY Penn, it's the benchmark of the New York commuter belt."
Millburn / Short Hills anchors the top of the Essex market, cross-shopped against Livingston, South Orange, Maplewood, and West Orange.
Town | Median Sale | Population | Land Area |
|---|---|---|---|
Millburn / Short Hills ★ | $1,600,000 | 21,710 | 9.5 mi² |
$1,025,000 | 18,484 | 2.9 mi² | |
$925,000 | 31,330 | 13.7 mi² | |
$925,000 | 25,684 | 3.9 mi² | |
$650,000 | 48,843 | 12.1 mi² |
★ Subject town. Sources: Essex County government; U.S. Census. Millburn Township (including Short Hills) population 21,710 (2020 census); 9.5 sq mi land in western Essex County; township government; the township-wide median of approximately $1,600,000 spans two submarkets — estate Short Hills, where sales frequently exceed $3M, and Downtown Millburn, where homes commonly sell around $1.45M; served by the nationally top-ranked Millburn school district; two NJ Transit Midtown Direct stations (Millburn and Short Hills) with roughly 35-minute service to NY Penn; home to the Mall at Short Hills and the Paper Mill Playhouse. Comparison figures approximate. Verify property-specific pricing with The Prodigy Team before contract.
One Township, Two Worlds. The estate calm of Short Hills and the walkable buzz of Downtown Millburn coexist in one township — a rare range that lets buyers choose grand seclusion or stroll-to-the-train village life.
Schools That Set the Bar. The Millburn district's national ranking is the gravitational center of the market — families compete for entry, and that demand underpins values across both submarkets.
A Two-Station Commute. Few towns offer two Midtown Direct stations. The Millburn and Short Hills stops put NY Penn around 35 minutes away and make the township a commuter's first choice.
Shopping + Culture. The upscale Mall at Short Hills and the historic Paper Mill Playhouse give the township a level of retail and cultural amenity that anchors its prestige.
Green at the Edge. The South Mountain Reservation borders the township, giving residents thousands of acres of trails, woods, and open space minutes from home, under a township government focused on preserving its character.
The township-wide median is near $1.6M, spanning estate Short Hills (often $2.5M-$5M+) and the more attainable Downtown Millburn (around $950K-$1.4M).
Short Hills is the affluent residential section within Millburn Township — same schools and government, but a distinct, higher-priced estate submarket.
Excellent — two Midtown Direct stations (Millburn and Short Hills) offer one-seat rides to NY Penn in roughly 35 minutes.
The Millburn school district is consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey and the nation — the central driver of the township's demand.
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