Clifton city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Clifton city, New Jersey has a total population of 89,247, the 7th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $99,003, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Clifton city Quick Facts
How Clifton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Clifton city Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Passaic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson city | 157,660 | $53,766 | 23.6% | $335,400 |
| Passaic city | 69,651 | $56,780 | 23.1% | $406,500 |
| Hawthorne borough | 19,472 | $118,093 | 5.1% | $499,200 |
| Woodland Park borough | 13,284 | $85,638 | 6.1% | $475,400 |
| Ringwood borough | 11,600 | $142,529 | 2.4% | $434,800 |
| Wanaque borough | 11,162 | $112,326 | 5.9% | $366,400 |
| Pompton Lakes borough | 11,010 | $119,038 | 9.7% | $411,100 |
| Totowa borough | 10,919 | $114,177 | 3.8% | $507,700 |
| Haledon borough | 8,936 | $94,178 | 9.3% | $347,700 |
| North Haledon borough | 8,757 | $131,810 | 1.9% | $517,200 |
Cities Similar to Clifton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River CDP | 93,915 | $95,759 | $377,800 | 35.2% | 6.3% |
| Bayonne city | 70,468 | $81,285 | $446,100 | 39.7% | 14.4% |
| Trenton city | 89,966 | $47,102 | $122,500 | 16.7% | 24.7% |
| Union City city | 66,375 | $65,369 | $446,800 | 28.4% | 21.3% |
| East Orange city | 69,183 | $59,872 | $315,500 | 22.9% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Clifton city is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Passaic County. The total population is 89,247. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton city is 41.1 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clifton city is $99,003. This is 2% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $444,300. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clifton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.4%. The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 12.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (39.4% vs 21.9%).
Education
34.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton city, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clifton city, New Jersey?
Clifton city, New Jersey has a population of 89,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton city, NJ?
The median household income in Clifton city is $99,003, which is 26% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton city, NJ?
The poverty rate in Clifton city is 7.4%. This means approximately 6,586 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton city, New Jersey?
Clifton city's population is 46.2% White, 3.7% Black, 39.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton city, NJ?
The median home value in Clifton city is $444,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Clifton city, New Jersey?
34.5% of adults (25+) in Clifton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.