Some towns you drive through. Riverton is a town you slow down in. Victorian porches, tree-lined streets, a riverfront that's been open to neighbors for generations, and a small downtown with real neighborhood character. I'm Jerry Mac with Keller Williams Realty, and after 23 years selling homes across South Jersey, Riverton is one of the places I love sending people to see.
Here's the quick version. Riverton is a small borough of just over 3,000 people on the Delaware River in Burlington County, about ten miles north of Philadelphia. It was founded in 1851 as a summer retreat, and that welcoming, neighborly spirit is still the heart of it. To me, what makes Riverton special is the people who live here.
No fluff, just what I tell my own clients.
Riverton's History and Victorian Charm
Riverton has one of the most interesting origin stories in South Jersey. In 1851, a group of ten Philadelphia families, mostly Quakers, bought about 120 acres along the Delaware River to build summer homes away from the city. Architect Samuel Sloan laid out the village, and one architectural historian later described it as the first completely planned residential subdivision in America.
That plan is still easy to see today. The oldest part of town has homes in six Victorian styles, and more than half of Riverton's buildings are on state and national registers of historic places. Walk the tree-lined streets and you'll see wraparound porches, gingerbread trim and the kind of detail that's hard to find in newer neighborhoods.
A few more pieces of Riverton history:
- Riverton Yacht Club: organized in 1865, with a pier clubhouse built in 1880. The pier is the last steamboat landing remaining on the Delaware River, and the club is considered one of the oldest on the river.
- Christ Episcopal Church: established in 1854.
- Riverton Country Club: founded in 1900.
- Memorial Park: opened in 1931 and still the town's gathering place.
- Borough status: Riverton became its own borough in 1894.
For generations, the riverbank has been a place where neighbors gather to watch the boats, hear concerts and enjoy the fireworks.
The Riverton Fourth of July and Community Traditions
If you want to understand Riverton, spend a Fourth of July here. The Riverton 4th of July Children's Parade began in 1897 as a children's flag parade sponsored by the Riverton Yacht Club, and the 2026 parade was the 129th annual. It's also Riverton's 175th year, and this year the committee named the town itself the Parade Marshal.
The parade starts at the Yacht Club, heads up Main Street and ends at Riverton Memorial Park. Floats, classic cars, fire companies, marching bands, bikes and strollers all take part, and no registration is needed to join in. It's a day where the whole town turns out, and families up and down the street host backyard barbecues afterward.
The celebration is a lot more than the parade. According to the Riverton 4th of July events page, the lineup includes:
- Bill Oliver 5K and a 1 Mile Run for Fun through historic Riverton
- A Raft Race with homemade rafts, and The Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Race, where homemade box cars race down the steepest hill in town
- A Pet Pageant and a House Decorating Contest
- Children's poetry and design contests and a bike decorating workshop
- A free Concert in the Park and a cocktail party at the Yacht Club
- Treasure Day, when you can stroll the Victorian streets, shop for deals and enjoy the neighborly atmosphere
Events like these show what Riverton is all about. It's a town that does things together.
Riverton Schools, Property Taxes and Getting Around
Schools. Riverton School serves children from preschool through eighth grade. The school has deep roots here: Riverton opened the first free kindergarten in Burlington County back in 1896. For high school, Riverton students attend Palmyra High School through a sending/receiving arrangement with Palmyra Public Schools. School assignments can change, so always confirm with the district before you buy.
Property taxes. The state's 2025 tax rate table lists Riverton Borough at a general rate of 4.087 and an effective rate of 2.615%. In plain English, that's roughly $2,600 a year for every $100,000 of home value. That's a rough estimate, since every home's assessment is different, so always check the actual tax bill on any home you're considering.
Getting around. Riverton is about ten miles north of Philadelphia, and the River Line light rail has a station right in the town center, which is a big plus if you commute or just like having options. Neighboring Palmyra is just down the road too. If you're comparing the two towns, take a look at my guide to living in Palmyra.
Green and walkable. Riverton has been named a Tree City USA, and with a small downtown and a riverfront park, it's the kind of town where a lot of errands and evening walks happen on foot.
Riverton Homes and Real Estate
Riverton's homes are as much a draw as the town itself. The oldest part of the borough is full of Victorian-era homes with porches, original trim and mature trees, and there are newer buildings east of the railroad tracks. Riverton is a small borough, so the selection at any one time is limited.
I pulled my Bright MLS numbers for Riverton Borough, and here's what the last 12 months of sales looked like (as of October 8, 2026):
- Homes sold: 29, which shows how small and tightly held this market is
- Median sale price: $525,000 (average $545,317)
- Price range: $349,900 to $850,000
- Median days on market: 20 (average 30)
- Sale price vs. list price: the average home sold for about 99% of list price
- Seller concessions: the median was $250, with an average of about $4,650
- Typical home: a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home of about 1,980 square feet, built around 1924
Here's how the 29 sales broke down:
- Under $400,000: 7 sales, mostly 2 to 4 bedroom homes on streets like Cedar Street, Cinnaminson Street and 8th Street.
- $400,000 to $700,000: 16 sales, the heart of the market. These are mostly 3 to 5 bedroom homes on Main Street, Penn Street, Linden Avenue, Elm Terrace and nearby streets.
- $715,000 and up: 6 sales, including larger homes of 2,200 to 4,400 square feet, with the top sale at $850,000.
About a quarter of the homes that sold were built before 1900, and the oldest dates to 1839. That's Riverton: real history, and you can own a piece of it.
What that means for buyers: with only 29 sales in a year, good homes don't come up often, so it pays to be ready. Get your pre-approval done early, and I can connect you with a lender I trust. What it means for sellers: homes typically took about three weeks to sell, and the ones priced right sold close to list price.
If you're drawn to an older home, a few tips from my years in this business:
- Get a thorough inspection. Homes with this much history deserve a close look at the roof, wiring, plumbing and foundation.
- Ask about historic features. With so many buildings on historic registers, it's worth knowing what's original and what's been updated.
- Plan for upkeep. Older homes reward owners who stay on top of maintenance, and I can connect you with trusted local pros.
Riverton shares the 08077 zip code with neighboring Cinnaminson, so if you're searching both, my Cinnaminson neighborhoods guide is a good next read.
Is Riverton a Good Fit for You?
Riverton tends to work well if you love historic character, a close-knit community with traditions, a walkable downtown and a riverfront park, and a light rail station in town. It may be less of a fit if you want a big suburban lot or a large new-construction home, since Riverton is a small, mostly built-out town.
Riverton, NJ FAQ
Where is Riverton, NJ? Riverton is a small borough on the Delaware River in Burlington County, about ten miles north of Philadelphia.
How much does a home cost in Riverton? Over the past 12 months the median sale price was $525,000, with homes selling from about $350,000 to $850,000.
What high school do Riverton students attend? Palmyra High School, through a sending/receiving arrangement with Palmyra Public Schools.
Is there a train in Riverton? Yes. The River Line light rail has a station in the town center.
What is the Riverton Fourth of July parade? It's a children's parade that began in 1897. The 2026 parade was the 129th, and it's part of a full day of races, contests and community events.
Let's Talk About Riverton
Whether you're thinking about buying a home in Riverton or wondering what yours is worth today, I'd love to help. I'm available seven days a week. Call or text me, Jerry Mac, at 856-220-1874, or visit www.southjerseyrealty.com to search listings and get a free home value report.
Jerry Mac | Keller Williams Realty