Paterson, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paterson, New Jersey had a total population of 158,735, the 3rd largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $55,997, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Paterson is the 3rd largest city in New Jersey with a population of 158,735.
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Paterson Quick Facts
How Paterson 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 | 157,660 | 158,735 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $55,997 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $335,400 | $360,100 | +7.4% |
How Paterson 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+)
Paterson Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Passaic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 89,379 | $98,237 | 7.9% | $461,900 |
| 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 Paterson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 137,302 | $66,555 | $449,300 | 14.6% | 15.8% |
| Trenton | 90,338 | $52,537 | $160,700 | 16.2% | 21.6% |
| Newark | 310,178 | $52,060 | $373,700 | 19.7% | 23.4% |
| Toms River | 94,956 | $100,137 | $403,600 | 36.4% | 5.8% |
| Passaic | 70,002 | $55,371 | $429,900 | 16.7% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Paterson is a major urban center located in New Jersey, within Passaic County. The total population is 158,735. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paterson is 33.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paterson is $55,997. This is 46% 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 21.3%. This is 119% 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 10.7%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $360,100. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 26.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 58% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paterson is Hispanic or Latino, making up 64.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.8%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.1% vs 12.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (64.5% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
11.8% 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 73% 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 74.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paterson, 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 Paterson, New Jersey?
Paterson, New Jersey has a population of 158,735 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paterson, NJ?
The median household income in Paterson is $55,997, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paterson, NJ?
The poverty rate in Paterson is 21.3%. This means approximately 33,503 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paterson, New Jersey?
Paterson's population is 7.8% White, 22.1% Black, 64.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paterson, NJ?
The median home value in Paterson is $360,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Paterson, New Jersey?
11.8% of adults (25+) in Paterson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.