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Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, and the county's largest municipality, with a population of roughly 90,000. It sits near the Passaic River in the heart of North Jersey's highway network, a short commute from Manhattan by rail or car. Crisscrossed by Route 3 and the Garden State Parkway, Clifton functions as both a regional commercial hub and a bedroom suburb of New York City, and it ranks among the state's most populous cities. The city's roots run deep. The area was settled by the Dutch around 1685, part of the Acquackanock Tract purchased from the Delaware Indians in 1679, and it remained within the Township of Passaic until incorporating as the City of Clifton in 1917. That long pre-incorporation history left Clifton with a patchwork of older neighborhood centers rather than a single downtown, a structure that still shapes the city today. Clifton is dense, diverse, and family-oriented. Its many named neighborhoods — Allwood, Delawanna, Botany Village, Athenia, Richfield, and Maple Valley among them — each carry distinct character, from the commuter-friendly Delawanna rail stop to the revitalized historic district of Botany Village. The Clifton Public Schools operate 19 schools serving about 11,000 students, anchoring a community that values its schools and neighborhood parks. The city suits households who want the convenience and density of a close-in New Jersey city, with rail and highway access to Manhattan, abundant shopping and dining, and a housing stock broad enough to span nearly every style. Its commercial corridors along Route 3 make it a destination for the wider region as much as a home base for its residents.

Population 90,315

County Passaic County

Active Listings 297

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Clifton, NJ in?

Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, and it is the largest municipality in the county. It is part of the New York metropolitan area and sits near the Passaic River.

When was Clifton incorporated?

Clifton was settled by the Dutch around 1685 and remained part of the Township of Passaic until 1917, when it was incorporated as the City of Clifton. The area's origins trace to the Acquackanock Tract purchased from the Delaware Indians in 1679.

What school district serves Clifton?

The Clifton Public Schools serve the city, operating 19 schools and enrolling about 11,000 students in grades K–12. The district includes Clifton High School and a network of neighborhood elementary and middle schools.

What are Clifton's main neighborhoods?

Clifton's neighborhoods include Allwood, Delawanna, and the historic Botany Village district, along with Athenia, Richfield, and Maple Valley. Delawanna is known for its NJ Transit station, while Botany Village is a revitalized historic district.

How do Clifton residents commute to New York City?

Clifton is a commuter suburb of New York City. The NJ Transit station at Delawanna provides rail access to Manhattan, and major highways including Route 3 and the Garden State Parkway cross the city.

City Guide

About Clifton City

Real Estate & Housing

Clifton's housing stock is among the broadest and most diverse in northern New Jersey. The city offers cape cods, mid-century ranches, colonials, and a range of condominiums and multi-family options, a mix that reflects decades of layered development and a large, established population. Neighborhoods such as Maple Valley are known for ranch-style homes near parks and local shopping, while the historic Botany Village district offers older, character-rich architecture within a walkable setting. The variety means households can find options across a wide spectrum of styles and sizes, from starter homes to larger single-family properties, all within a dense, close-in suburb.

Neighborhoods

Clifton is composed of numerous distinct neighborhoods, several of which carry strong local identity. Allwood centers on a shopping plaza and diner along a busy corridor, with a suburban residential feel. Delawanna is favored by commuters for its NJ Transit rail station and quick access to Route 3. Botany Village is a historic district that has seen extensive revitalization, known for its walkability and older architecture. Athenia and Richfield are well-established residential sections, and Maple Valley offers ranch-style homes near parks and neighborhood shops. This patchwork of named sections gives Clifton a neighborhood-level texture unusual for a city of its size.

Lifestyle in Clifton City

Clifton's lifestyle is defined by convenience, diversity, and a commuter-oriented daily rhythm. As a regional commercial hub, the city offers abundant shopping along Route 3 and its major corridors, plus a dining scene that reflects a notably diverse population. Life is split between the city's walkable older sections, such as Botany Village, and the car-oriented commercial strips that serve the wider region. For many residents, the appeal is proximity — to Manhattan by rail or highway, to North Jersey employment centers, and to a dense network of everyday amenities. The community is family-oriented, with schools and neighborhood parks anchoring local life.

Schools & Education

Clifton is served by the Clifton Public Schools, a K–12 district that operates 19 schools and enrolls about 11,000 students, making it one of the larger districts in Passaic County. The district includes Clifton High School and a network of neighborhood elementary and middle schools serving the city's many sections. Given the city's size and its neighborhood patchwork, families should confirm school assignments by address. The district is a central civic institution in Clifton, and its scale brings a broad range of academic, arts, and athletic programming to a diverse student body.

Getting Around

Clifton's transportation network is a defining feature. The city is crisscrossed by major highways, including Route 3 and the Garden State Parkway, which carry commuters toward New York City and across North Jersey. The NJ Transit station at Delawanna provides direct rail access to Manhattan, making the city a true bedroom suburb of New York. The dense road network also makes Clifton a regional commercial and distribution hub. Commuting patterns are heavily car- and rail-based, with many residents traveling to jobs in New York City, Newark, and the surrounding Passaic and Bergen county corridors.

Parks & Recreation

Clifton's recreation is woven through its neighborhoods. The city maintains a system of parks and athletic fields, including neighborhood parks such as Stefan Tatarenko Park, which serves the Maple Valley area. The Passaic River corridor adds green space along the city's edge, and the dense network of local parks supports youth sports and community programs. Beyond the city, the parks and reservations of Passaic County are within easy reach. For everyday recreation, residents lean on neighborhood parks, the walkable commercial districts, and the region's broader trail and park systems.