15. Franklin Lakes, NJ
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Population: 11,189
Median family income: $182,004
Median home price: $870,000

I-287's completion in the 1990s spurred this town's transformation from rural community to metropolitan suburb. The housing stock reflects the shift. Modest 1950s ranches share a zip code with 13,000-square-foot Hamptons-style shingle homes.

These days Franklin Lakes is known for some of the best fishing in New Jersey and some of the best catfights anywhere. Where else can you catch largemouth bass, black crappie and pickerel or bump into "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" for sport?

The borough still manages to maintain a folksy feel. Locals bring their own barrels and buckets to help themselves to city-provided compost, and they can bend the mayor's ear during Monday morning and Thursday night office hours.

See complete data and interactive map for Franklin Lakes


Last updated August 15 2011: 2:49 PM ET
Join the Conversation

Most Popular
 
 
 
 
 
Full list: Top 100

These terrific small towns -- even now -- boast great job opportunities, top-notch schools, safe streets, economic strength, and more.

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.