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CITY · 2020 ACS

Paterson

New Jersey · 159,732 residents · 8.413 sq mi
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The short version

Paterson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,141. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $257,700. At a median age of 33.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 47% less than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
159,732
+7%since 2000
from 149,222 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
18,986 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 17,737 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.9
+11%since 2000
from 30.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
139K145K150K156K162K1990201020202024Paterson
2024159K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,141
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,778 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,202
+52%since 2000
from $13,257 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.4%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 22.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 10%
Information12.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance10.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical9.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$257,700
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $148,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,213
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $696 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
24.2%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 31.5% in 2000
75.8% rent
Afford Score
5.7
+26%since 2000
from 4.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Paterson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic13.2%(19,765)
Black31.4%(46,882)
Hispanic / Latino50.1%(74,774)
Asian1.8%(2,728)
Other0%
Diversity Score75.7%(113,033)
2020
White, non-Hispanic7.8%(12,523)
Black23%(36,667)
Hispanic / Latino61.9%(98,863)
Asian5%(7,991)
Other1.3%(2,089)
Diversity Score68.3%(109,092)
Diversity Score
68
−10%since 2000
from 76 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
76.1%
+17.6 ptssince 2000
from 58.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.3 min
+53%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
29.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.9%
+4.8 ptssince 2011
from 57.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
16.9%
−37.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
51.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
42.5%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
18.5%
−55.4 ptssince 2013
from 73.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Paterson

Savannah
Pop 149,440
Rockford
Pop 147,384
Springfield
Pop 154,702
Macon-Bibb County
Pop 157,556
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Compare Paterson to nearby cities

PATERSON VS
Haledon
Income$95,870+112%
Home value$396,400+54%
Population9,125−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PATERSON VS
Elmwood Park
Income$101,740+125%
Home value$483,700+88%
Population21,534−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PATERSON VS
Woodland Park
Income$98,845+119%
Home value$497,600+93%
Population13,623−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PATERSON VS
Fair Lawn
Income$144,574+220%
Home value$564,700+119%
Population37,128−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Paterson, New Jersey?

Paterson, New Jersey has about 159,732 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Paterson, New Jersey?

The typical household in Paterson, New Jersey earns about $45,141 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Paterson, New Jersey expensive?

In Paterson, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $257,700, and the typical rent is about $1,213 a month.

How educated are people in Paterson, New Jersey?

About 11.5% of adults age 25 and over in Paterson, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Paterson, New Jersey?

About 25.2% of people in Paterson, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Paterson, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Paterson, New Jersey has grown since 1990. The population has added about 18,841 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →