Passaic, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Passaic, New Jersey had a total population of 70,002, the 11th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $55,371, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.8x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.5% is notably above the national average.
Passaic Quick Facts
How Passaic 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 | 69,651 | 70,002 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $56,780 | $55,371 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $406,500 | $429,900 | +5.8% |
How Passaic 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Passaic 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 |
| Clifton | 89,379 | $98,237 | 7.9% | $461,900 |
| 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 Passaic
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 69,585 | $56,968 | $715,500 | 31.9% | 29.9% |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | $365,900 | 22.7% | 16.4% |
| Union City | 66,463 | $64,310 | $471,600 | 28.3% | 23.1% |
| Camden | 71,496 | $40,546 | $112,000 | 10.1% | 30.2% |
| Bayonne | 71,553 | $83,887 | $460,100 | 39.6% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Passaic is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Passaic County. The total population is 70,002. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Passaic is 31.9 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Passaic has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Passaic is $55,371. This is 47% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 135% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.5%. This is 99% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $429,900. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 23.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 63% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Passaic is Hispanic or Latino, making up 73.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.1%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (73.3% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 62% 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 67.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Passaic, 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 Passaic, New Jersey?
Passaic, New Jersey has a population of 70,002 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Passaic, NJ?
The median household income in Passaic is $55,371, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Passaic, NJ?
The poverty rate in Passaic is 22.9%. This means approximately 15,929 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Passaic, New Jersey?
Passaic's population is 14.1% White, 6.8% Black, 73.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Passaic, NJ?
The median home value in Passaic is $429,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.8x.
How educated is Passaic, New Jersey?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Passaic hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.