Clifton, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clifton, New Jersey had a total population of 89,379, the 7th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $98,237, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Clifton Quick Facts
How Clifton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,247 | 89,379 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $99,003 | $98,237 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $444,300 | $461,900 | +4.0% |
How Clifton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clifton Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Passaic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson | 158,735 | $55,997 | 21.3% | $360,100 |
| Passaic | 70,002 | $55,371 | 22.9% | $429,900 |
| Hawthorne | 19,628 | $110,237 | 4.0% | $533,700 |
| Preakness | 18,520 | $133,205 | 3.3% | $617,700 |
| Woodland Park | 13,355 | $98,845 | 3.8% | $497,600 |
| Ringwood | 11,657 | $152,414 | 2.5% | $449,800 |
| Wanaque | 11,206 | $113,175 | 5.9% | $400,700 |
| Pompton Lakes | 11,047 | $124,454 | 8.5% | $442,400 |
| Totowa | 10,959 | $113,563 | 4.1% | $559,300 |
| Oak Ridge | 10,954 | $121,875 | 5.8% | $436,100 |
Cities Similar to Clifton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River | 94,956 | $100,137 | $403,600 | 36.4% | 5.8% |
| Bayonne | 71,553 | $83,887 | $460,100 | 39.6% | 14.4% |
| Trenton | 90,338 | $52,537 | $160,700 | 16.2% | 21.6% |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | $365,900 | 22.7% | 16.4% |
| Union City | 66,463 | $64,310 | $471,600 | 28.3% | 23.1% |
Population Overview
Clifton is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Passaic County. The total population is 89,379. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton is 41.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clifton is $98,237. This is 5% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 22% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $461,900. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 59.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clifton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.4%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (39.4% vs 22.5%).
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clifton, New Jersey?
Clifton, New Jersey has a population of 89,379 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton, NJ?
The median household income in Clifton is $98,237, which is 22% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton, NJ?
The poverty rate in Clifton is 7.9%. This means approximately 7,068 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton, New Jersey?
Clifton's population is 45.9% White, 3.5% Black, 39.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton, NJ?
The median home value in Clifton is $461,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Clifton, New Jersey?
35.5% of adults (25+) in Clifton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.