Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson: The third most populous city in New Jersey.
About
Paterson is a city located in the county of Passaic in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its population at the 2010 census was 146,199 and a population density of 6,483 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 144,801 inhabitants.
The city was created 234 years ago in 1791.
Paterson is a city located in northeastern New Jersey within the New York City metropolitan area. With a population of over 145,000, it is the third largest city in New Jersey. Paterson sits along the Passaic River.
History
Paterson was founded in 1791 by Alexander Hamilton who envisioned it as the cradle of American industry because of the available water power sites. Paterson became an industrial boomtown throughout the 19th century churning out textiles, firearms, locomotives and silk.
Immigrants from Europe provided factory labor, giving Paterson a multicultural character. Silk production became Paterson's specialty, earning it the nickname “Silk City.”
Decline and Renewal
Paterson fell into decline and poverty in the mid 20th century as industries left. But preservation efforts in recent decades have revitalized sections of the city, especially the historic Great Falls district.
The Great Falls were restored with hydroelectric plants and pedestrian walkways providing scenic views of the magnificent 77-foot high waterfalls.
Current Features
Some additional aspects of modern-day Paterson include:
- A strong African American and Hispanic cultural heritage
- Renowned culinary traditions like the hot dog which originated in Paterson
- Hinchliffe Stadium - Historic 10,000 seat stadium and national landmark
- Numerous art galleries and live music venues
- The Paterson Museum displaying American industrial history
Paterson exemplifies both the grandeur and hardships of an iconic American manufacturing city. But its diverse community and resolve help guide its reemergence.
Quick Facts about Paterson
| Population | 144,801 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | New Jersey (United States) |
| County | Passaic County |
| Postal code | 07501, 07510, 07522, 07544, 07543, 07533, 07509, 07514, 07503, 07504, 07501, 07513, 07502, 07505, 07510 |
| Phone Area Codes | 973, 201 |
| Area | 22.55 km2 |
| Latitude & Longitude | 40.9168,-74.1718 |
| Altitude | 105 feet / 32 meters |
| Capital city | Paterson is capital of Passaic County |
| Establishment | January 01, 1792 (234 years ago) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
| Local time | 16:28:20 (22nd April 2026) |
| Density | 6,421 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | -0.97% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 62℉ Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
Paterson is located at 40°55'0"N 74°10'19"W (40.9167700, -74.1718100). It has 7 neighbors: Clifton, Elmwood Park, Fair Lawn, Haledon, Hawthorne, Prospect Park and Totowa.
Paterson map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
Weather
A slight chance of rain showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
7-Day ForecastOfficial website of Paterson
Official WebsiteDemographics
According to census records, the population of Paterson decreased by 0.97% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 7,596 | - | demographic balance |
| 1850 | 11,334 | 32.98% | demographic balance |
| 1860 | 19,586 | 42.13% | demographic balance |
| 1870 | 33,579 | 41.67% | demographic balance |
| 1880 | 51,031 | 34.2% | demographic balance |
| 1890 | 78,347 | 34.87% | demographic balance |
| 1900 | 105,171 | 25.51% | demographic balance |
| 1910 | 125,600 | 16.27% | demographic balance |
| 2010 | 146,199 | 14.09% | census |
| 2011 | 145,593 | -0.42% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 146,111 | 0.35% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 146,049 | -0.04% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 145,911 | -0.09% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 145,928 | 0.01% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 145,773 | -0.11% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 146,015 | 0.17% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 145,594 | -0.29% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 145,233 | -0.25% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 144,801 | -0.3% | estimation process |
Best Things to Do in Paterson
1Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
72 McBride Ave, Paterson, NJ 07501, United States View details
Phone: +19735230370 | Website available
2Pennington Park
Paterson, NJ 07501, United States View details
Phone: +19733211313 | Website available
3Lambert Castle
3 Valley Rd, Paterson, NJ 07503, United States View details
Phone: +19732470085 | Website available
4West Side Park
114 Totowa Ave, Paterson, NJ 07502, United States View details
Phone: +19732683500
5Paterson Museum
2 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07501, United States View details
Phone: +19733211260 | Website available
Services and Civic Places in Paterson
1Paterson City Council
155 Market St #101, Paterson, NJ 07505 View details
Phone: +19733211250 | Website available
2Paterson City Mayor's Office
155 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07505 View details
Phone: +19733211600
3Paterson City Personnel
111 Broadway # 1, Paterson, NJ 07505 View details
Phone: +19733211323 | Website available
4Paterson Human Resources Department
930 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07503, United States View details
Phone: +19738816916 | Website available
People born in Paterson (200)
People born in Paterson, including writer and television producer J. Michael Straczynski, physicist Frederick Reines, football player, wide receiver Victor Cruz, .
More notable people
- Zoogz Rift (American musician and professional wrestler) he was born in 10/07/1953
- Mindy Sterling (American actress) she was born in 11/07/1953
- Essence Carson (American basketball player) she was born in 28/07/1986
- Percy Goetschius (American composer) he was born in 30/08/1853
- Sybil (American singer) she was born in 02/06/1965
- Adeva (American musician) she was born in 13/12/1960
- Dave Sime (American Olympic sprinter, multi-sport athlete, and a pioneering ophthalmologist, who won a silver medal in the 100-meter dash at the 1960 Olympic Games) he was born in 25/07/1936
- Robert Torricelli (American politician) he was born in 27/08/1951
- Patrick Warburton (American actor) he was born in 14/11/1964
- Anthony Davis (American pianist and composer) he was born in 20/02/1951
- Gilbert Warrenton (American cinematographer) he was born in 07/03/1894
- Susan Misner (Dancer and actress) she was born in 08/02/1971
- Kathryn D. Sullivan (American geologist and NASA astronaut) she was born in 03/10/1951
- Mark L. Polansky (American astronaut, pilot) he was born in 02/06/1956
- Amos H. Radcliffe (American politician (1870-1950)) he was born in 16/01/1870
- Carl Weinrich (American organist) he was born in 02/07/1904
- Michael Hossack (Drummer for The Doobie Brothers) he was born in 17/10/1946
- Frank Lautenberg (U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1924-2013)) he was born in 23/01/1924
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Paterson, NJ. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 186034 | Passaic County Community College | Paterson (NJ) | 07505-1179 |
| 184746 | Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences | Paterson (NJ) | 07513 |
| 183789 | Berkeley College-Woodland Park | Woodland Park (NJ) | 07424 |
| 187444 | William Paterson University of New Jersey | Wayne (NJ) | 07470 |
| 363077 | Capri Institute of Hair Design-Clifton | Clifton (NJ) | 07011 |
Nearby Transit Stations (16)
Rail and bus stations connected to Paterson, NJ. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWK | Pennsylvania Station | 1 Raymond Plaza West | RAIL |
| YNY | Yonkers station | 5 Buena Vista Ave. | RAIL |
| EWR | Newark Liberty International Airport | Newark Liberty International Airport | RAIL |
| NYP | Pennsylvania Station | 8th Ave 31st Street / 8th Ave 33rd Street | RAIL |
| NRO | New Rochelle station | 1 Railroad Plaza | RAIL |
Closest post offices linked to Paterson.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Paterson Post Office | Paterson (NJ) | 07510 |
| Haledon Post Office | Haledon (NJ) | 07508 |
| Park Post Office | Paterson (NJ) | 07513 |
| South Paterson Post Office | Paterson (NJ) | 07503 |
| River Road Post Office | Fair Lawn (NJ) | 07410 |
Other cities in Passaic County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Passaic County , NJ.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 85,025 | The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey. |
| Passaic | 69,340 | The most populous city in Passaic County, New Jersey. |
| Wayne | 53,163 | Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States |
| West Milford | 26,242 | Township of New Jersey |
| Hawthorne | 18,667 | A city in Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Little Falls | 14,412 | City in Morrison County, Minnesota |
| Woodland Park | 12,655 | Borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States |
| Ringwood | 12,157 | Borough in Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Wanaque | 11,717 | Town in Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Pompton Lakes | 10,931 | Town in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States |
| Totowa | 10,797 | Town in Passaic County, New Jersey |
| North Haledon | 8,362 | Borough of New Jersey, United States |
| Haledon | 8,261 | Town in Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Bloomingdale | 8,035 | Town in Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Haskell | 4,942 | Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, New Jersey |
Distance to Other Cities
Paterson distances to largest New Jersey cities