📖 About Fort Lee

Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, situated dramatically atop the Palisades cliffs overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan. With approximately 40,000 residents, this densely populated community is distinguished by its remarkable Korean-American population—over 35% of residents identify as Asian, primarily Korean, making it one of America's most significant Korean enclaves outside Los Angeles.

The George Washington Bridge, connecting Fort Lee to Manhattan's Washington Heights, defines the borough's character. This engineering marvel brings heavy traffic but also excellent accessibility to New York City. High-rise apartment buildings along the Palisades offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, attracting residents who want proximity to the city with New Jersey's quality of life.

Fort Lee's Korean community has transformed the borough into a thriving center of Korean-American business and culture. Korean restaurants, supermarkets (particularly the famous H Mart headquarters), churches, and businesses line the main streets. For Korean Americans in the New York metropolitan area, Fort Lee represents home, community, and the American Dream realized through entrepreneurship and education.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Fort Lee's economy centers on retail, services, and healthcare. Korean-owned businesses—restaurants, grocery stores, real estate offices, medical practices, hagwons (tutoring academies)—dominate the commercial landscape. The borough also hosts corporate offices and professionals who commute to Manhattan. Real estate values reflect the premium location, with luxury high-rises and affordable apartments coexisting. The H Mart company headquarters represents Korean-American business success at national scale.

Korean-American culture permeates Fort Lee. Korean churches serve large congregations; Korean-language signs and media are ubiquitous; Korean seniors gather in community centers. Yet Fort Lee remains diverse and integrated, with longtime residents, other immigrant communities, and newcomers attracted by Manhattan proximity. Korean holidays, food festivals, and cultural events celebrate heritage while the borough's excellent schools attract families of all backgrounds focused on education.

📜 History

Fort Lee's name derives from Revolutionary War fortifications built to defend the Hudson River. General Washington's forces famously retreated from Fort Lee in 1776 after the fall of Fort Washington across the river. The area remained rural until the George Washington Bridge opened in 1931, sparking development of the modern borough.

From 1907 to 1920, Fort Lee was the center of American filmmaking before studios relocated to Hollywood. Korean immigration began modestly in the 1970s and accelerated through the 1980s and 1990s. Entrepreneurs established businesses, professionals settled near their Manhattan workplaces, and chain migration built community. Today's Fort Lee represents one of the most successful Korean-American communities, contributing to Bergen County's status as a Korean-American heartland.