Pearl River is a hamlet located in the town of Orangetown in Rockland County, New York. It is surrounded by the Rockland communities of Blauvelt, Nauraushaun and Nanuet. To it’s south, Pearl River borders the boroughs Montvale and River Vale of Bergen County, the most populous county in New Jersey. Pearl River is located about 20 miles north of New York City. The zip code of Pearl River is 10965.

Pearl River is a large suburban community with residential areas full of single family homes and few apartment buildings. The residential neighborhoods are surrounded by lots of trees and isolated from any major businesses or other activity.

Pearl River has a train station along New Jersey Transit’s Pascack Valley Line, which can lead to downtown Manhattan’s Penn Station via a transfer. The main road passing through Pearl River is New York State Route 304, which runs in the north-south direction through most of Rockland County and hosts many local businesses and organizations. Public transportation by bus is provided by the Transport of Rockland (TOR.)

Pearl River hosts major corporate and business activity in two large areas.

The Blue Hill Plaza of Pearl River consists of two buildings, including a 21 floor skyscraper that is the tallest building in Rockland County. The Blue Hill Plaza hosts Acord Corporation, Active International(marketing), Blue Hill Data Services, Chrysler, Federal Express, Fujitsu Network Communications, Iona College, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co, Morgan Stanley & Co., Orange & Rockland Utilities, Rockland Economic Development Corp. Additional companies operating from Blue Hill Plaza are Children's Corner Nursery School, Citibank-ATM, Corporate News & Cards, Floral Inspirations, Rich Worldwide Travel, a hair salon and fitness center. The plaza includes more than 3,500 parking spaces and is one of the largest business centers and employers in Rockland County. Blue Hill Plaza has become a landmark of Pearl River as it stands out of the trees and overlooks and increases the appeal of the hamlet and surrounding communities.

Pearl River is home to a Wyeth (pharmaceutical company) complex that covers over 580 acres and includes several dozen buildings. Wyeth Pearl River has three divisions of Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Research, and is one of the largest employers of Rockland County with about 3,000 workers. The facilities are isolated from the residential areas by main roads of Middletown Road and Route 304, and wooded surroundings.

Pearl River has an excellent public education system with its own district of Peal River School District that serves over 2,500 students. The hamlet is home to Evans Park Elementary School, Franklin Avenue Elementary School, Lincoln Avenue Elementary School, Pearl River Middle School and Pearl River High School. The Pearl River Public Library provides additional educational resources.

Pearl River has plenty of recreational facilities and areas to meet the interests of all ages. Cherry Brook park is located by Franklin Avenue Elementary School and includes four tennis courts, a walking path, a children's play area, four handball-paddleball courts and a volleyball area that is used as an ice-skating rink in the winter. Braunsdorf Memorial Park is a small area on main street that marks the heart of downtown Pearl River and commemorates the founding father of Pearl River. Pilgrim Court is a small neighborhood area that includes playground and open grass field. The Dr. Henry V. Borst Memorial Gardens sit on 3.5 acres in a residential area and offer great rare trees, shrubs and orchards to the community. Central Avenue Park is located in downtown Pearl River and includes a field, track, gazebo and playground. The Merritt Tennis Courts include multiple tennis courts that are located in a residential neighborhood.

The most notable recreational facility in Pearl River is the Blue Hills Golf Club, which includes a 27 hole golf course, pro shop, restaurant. The club is open to the public, with great rates for Orangetown residents. The Blue Hills Golf Club is located in a scenic environment along Lake Tappan. Overlooking the club is the luxurious Pearl River Hilton and the skyscraper of Blue Hill Plaza.

Pearl River High School offers excellent recreational facilities with seven tennis courts, multiple ball fields, a main field surrounded by a track, outdoor basketball court and indoor gymnasium. Pearl River Middle School includes multiple athletic fields and indoor gymnasium.

Pearl River is home to a large community with Irish Ancestry that hosts of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York. The parade has been held through the streets of the hamlet since 1962.

Pearl River has an old-fashioned main street that forms the downtown area, which includes many restaurants that serve diverse cuisines.

The History of Pearl River goes back to 1870, when it was built from scratch by Julius Julius E. Braunsdorf, whose memorial section stands today in the hamlet’s downtown area. Pearl River is home to three places that are on the National Register of Historic Places; Jacob P. Perry House, Edward Slayer House, and the Pearl River US Post Office.