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Paterson is the largest city in and the seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, situated along the Passaic River about 15 miles west of Manhattan. With roughly 160,000 residents, it is the third-most-populous municipality in the state, after Newark and Jersey City. The city's origins are nationally significant: founded in 1792 by Alexander Hamilton as America's first planned industrial city, Paterson harnessed the 77-foot Great Falls of the Passaic River to power the mills that launched the country's Industrial Revolution. That industrial legacy gave Paterson its enduring nickname, the Silk City. By the late 19th century the city processed a large share of the nation's silk, and its mill buildings still stand in the Great Falls Historic District, now part of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. The falls remain both a scenic landmark and a symbol of the city's role in American manufacturing history. The city's built form mirrors that history: a dense, walkable street grid of rowhouses and multi-family homes radiates from the falls, while tree-lined districts such as the Eastside hold grand Victorian houses around Eastside Park. That variety, combined with transit access and a cost profile below many neighboring suburbs, sustains a steady base of families, first-time buyers, and long-time residents. Today Paterson is one of the region's most diverse cities. Successive waves of immigration have shaped its neighborhoods, from the Middle Eastern bakeries and markets of South Paterson to communities with roots across Latin America, the Caribbean, South Asia, and beyond. Downtown clusters government offices, the county courthouse, and transit, while institutions such as Passaic County Community College, St. Joseph's University Medical Center, and the restored Hinchliffe Stadium anchor civic life. Commuters reach New York by NJ Transit bus or rail, making Paterson an urban option within the New York metro area that offers a distinct identity and a connection to the nation's industrial past.

Population 162,408

County Passaic County

Active Listings 486

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Paterson in?

Paterson is the county seat and largest city of Passaic County, New Jersey, located about 15 miles west of Manhattan along the Passaic River. It is part of the New York metropolitan area and one of the state's major urban centers.

What is Paterson known for?

Paterson is known as America's first planned industrial city, founded in 1792 by Alexander Hamilton around the 77-foot Great Falls of the Passaic River. It later became known as the Silk City for its dominant silk industry, and today the Great Falls are preserved as a national historical park.

How far is Paterson from New York City?

Paterson is roughly 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Commuters use NJ Transit bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal or NJ Transit rail from Paterson station, while Routes 80, 20, and the Garden State Parkway provide highway access into the New York metro area.

What school district serves Paterson?

Public schools in the city are run by Paterson Public Schools, one of New Jersey's largest districts. Higher education options nearby include Passaic County Community College in the city and William Paterson University in neighboring Wayne.

Is Paterson the largest city in New Jersey?

Paterson is New Jersey's third-most-populous municipality, after Newark and Jersey City, with roughly 160,000 residents. It is the largest city in Passaic County and serves as the county seat, anchoring the county's government and economy.

City Guide

About Paterson City

Real Estate & Housing

Paterson's housing stock reflects its 19th- and early-20th-century industrial growth. The Eastside district holds grand Victorians and early-20th-century homes around Eastside Park, while much of the city consists of tightly built single-family and multi-family houses, many dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s, alongside apartments and converted buildings. Compared with nearby New York City and the commuter suburbs of Bergen County, Paterson's housing is more accessible, which draws first-time buyers and multi-generational families. The variety spans compact urban rowhouses to larger detached homes with yards, concentrated in a walkable grid close to transit.

Neighborhoods

Paterson's neighborhoods each carry a distinct identity. The Eastside, centered on the landscaped Eastside Park, is known for its historic homes and tree-lined streets. South Paterson is the heart of the city's Arab and Turkish communities and a regional destination for Middle Eastern food. Lakeview, in the city's southern end, mixes residential streets with local commerce, while Hillcrest and Riverside offer family-oriented blocks near the Passaic River. Downtown Paterson clusters government offices, the courthouse, and transit around the falls, and the historic districts near the Great Falls preserve the mills and industrial architecture that built the city.

Lifestyle in Paterson City

Paterson's character is defined by its deep immigrant history and remarkable diversity. South Paterson is home to one of the country's largest Middle Eastern communities, with bakeries, restaurants, and markets lining its streets, while neighborhoods across the city reflect Hispanic, Caribbean, South Asian, and African American heritage. The Great Falls are both a scenic centerpiece and a point of civic pride, and downtown institutions such as the Paterson Museum tell the city's industrial story. Hinchliffe Stadium, restored as a museum and venue, recalls Paterson's Negro Leagues baseball legacy. The result is a dense, culturally rich city with a food scene and community life unlike anywhere else in the region.

Schools & Education

Paterson Public Schools operates the city's school system, one of the largest in New Jersey, with a network of elementary, middle, and high schools plus a growing set of charter and magnet options. Passaic County Community College has its main campus in the city, providing associate degrees and workforce programs. Nearby William Paterson University, in the neighboring borough of Wayne, is the region's comprehensive public university. St. Joseph's University Medical Center, a major teaching hospital in the city, is both a healthcare anchor and a significant local employer.

Getting Around

Paterson is woven into New Jersey's transit network. NJ Transit rail stops at Paterson station on the Main and Bergen County lines, and express buses run to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. By car, Interstate 80 and Routes 20, 19, and 4 provide connections across North Jersey, while the Garden State Parkway is a short drive east. The city sits roughly 15 miles from Midtown and about 20 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport, positioning it within easy reach of the region's major employment and travel hubs.

Parks & Recreation

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is the city's defining outdoor and cultural landmark, with overlooks above the 77-foot waterfall and a walking path through the surrounding historic mill district. Eastside Park offers the city's largest green space, with mature trees, ballfields, and the grand homes of the surrounding district. Hinchliffe Stadium, restored to its role as a museum and event venue, honors Paterson's Negro Leagues baseball history. Just outside the city, Garrett Mountain Reservation and the Passaic River provide additional hiking and open space within a short drive.