Population 158,105 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Paterson
Household size in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.25 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.39 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.24 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.32 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Paterson are large by national standards, averaging 3.32 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 3.25, even as the national average fell. Only five of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.8 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.6 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.4 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.2 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 34.2, Paterson is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.8, in line with the national trend. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only 13 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.3% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 24.5% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 26.9% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Paterson: 26.9% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only five have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Paterson
Renters in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.8% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 72.9% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 74.0% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 73.2% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Paterson: 73.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 38.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 3.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only nine have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.2% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Paterson: 6.5% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. That is in line with the rest of the New York area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.7 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1949 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1954 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1954 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Paterson is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1955, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1949 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the northwest.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,057 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,129 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,218 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,589 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$533 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Paterson costs $1,589 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the New York area as a whole ($2,060). Rent has climbed $533 a month since 2006–10, up 50%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 35.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Paterson
Bachelor's degrees in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.4% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Paterson have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 12.4%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 2.3 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.5% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 71.7% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.9% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 74.1% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults in Paterson never finished high school, well above the national share: only 74.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 2.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only seven have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Paterson
| Period | Paterson | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Paterson: 10.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 have higher unemployment. Unemployment has risen 1.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Paterson compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson | 3.32 | 34.2 | 26.9% | 73.2% | 6.5% | 1955 | $1,589 | 12.4% | 74.1% | 10.3% |
| Prospect Park | 3.12 | 40.5 | 22.9% | 57.6% | 6.7% | 1944 | $1,556 | 32.0% | 89.5% | 11.5% |
| Haledon | 3.01 | 35.2 | 14.4% | 51.8% | 4.4% | 1964 | $1,792 | 22.5% | 89.8% | 7.9% |
| Elmwood Park | 2.92 | 41.7 | 13.9% | 42.7% | 5.3% | 1960 | $2,080 | 34.8% | 90.6% | 7.4% |
| Woodland Park | 2.54 | 42.9 | 14.3% | 37.1% | 3.6% | 1968 | $1,835 | 40.3% | 94.3% | 5.0% |
| Totowa | 2.91 | 43.7 | 12.2% | 26.2% | 1.9% | 1963 | $2,063 | 40.6% | 93.1% | 4.2% |
| Fair Lawn | 2.98 | 40.2 | 11.1% | 22.0% | 4.2% | 1952 | $2,093 | 64.1% | 96.5% | 6.6% |
| Hawthorne | 2.59 | 43.2 | 9.6% | 30.9% | 6.4% | 1954 | $1,876 | 47.1% | 95.7% | 4.8% |
| Clifton | 2.75 | 43.2 | 8.6% | 40.7% | 4.5% | 1951 | $1,807 | 36.4% | 89.5% | 7.0% |
| North Haledon | 2.69 | 49.1 | 4.4% | 8.4% | 3.2% | 1968 | $2,453 | 46.3% | 91.3% | 4.4% |
| Saddle Brook | 2.66 | 45.2 | 5.8% | 31.9% | 3.9% | 1963 | $2,091 | 35.3% | 91.4% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Coral Springs, FL · Detroit, MI · Costa Mesa, CA · Columbia, MD · Cordova, TN · Columbia, MO · Council Bluffs, IA · Covington, GA · Concord, CA · Conyers, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Paterson. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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