Passaic city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Passaic city, New Jersey has a total population of 69,651, the 11th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $56,780, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.2x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Passaic city Quick Facts
How Passaic city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Passaic city Rankings in New Jersey
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Other Cities in Passaic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson city | 157,660 | $53,766 | 23.6% | $335,400 |
| Clifton city | 89,247 | $99,003 | 7.4% | $444,300 |
| 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 Passaic city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood CDP | 69,884 | $57,576 | $618,400 | 31.3% | 29.3% |
| East Orange city | 69,183 | $59,872 | $315,500 | 22.9% | 17.6% |
| Union City city | 66,375 | $65,369 | $446,800 | 28.4% | 21.3% |
| Bayonne city | 70,468 | $81,285 | $446,100 | 39.7% | 14.4% |
| Camden city | 71,471 | $40,450 | $100,400 | 9.6% | 28.5% |
Population Overview
Passaic city is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Passaic County. The total population is 69,651. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Passaic city is 30.9 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, Passaic city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Passaic city is $56,780. This is 44% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. 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 11.3%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $406,500. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 23.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 63% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Passaic city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 73.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.6%) is well below the state average of 51.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (73.0% vs 21.9%). The Asian population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
16.9% 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 61% 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 66.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Passaic 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 Passaic city, New Jersey?
Passaic city, New Jersey has a population of 69,651 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Passaic city, NJ?
The median household income in Passaic city is $56,780, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Passaic city, NJ?
The poverty rate in Passaic city is 23.1%. This means approximately 15,968 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Passaic city, New Jersey?
Passaic city's population is 14.6% White, 6.3% Black, 73.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Passaic city, NJ?
The median home value in Passaic city is $406,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.2x.
How educated is Passaic city, New Jersey?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Passaic city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.