Paterson, NJ, known as 'The Silk City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Passaic County, Paterson is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Newark (15 miles) and New York City (20 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Paterson's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Paterson is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, the historic Lambert Castle, and the scenic Garret Mountain Reservation. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Paterson Museum to the bustling Center City Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Paterson's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from American cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Paterson Art Walk and the Great Falls Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Paterson's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Passaic County Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Paterson is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Paterson Performing Arts Center and the Ivanhoe Artists Mosaic are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Paterson provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Paterson’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the New Jersey Jackals (Frontier League), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Paterson include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as St. Joseph's University Medical Center and Paterson Public Schools driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and trains, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Paterson is a mid-sized city located in the state of New Jersey. The city has a population of 149,118 people. With a population density of 17,724 people per square mile, Paterson is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Paterson identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 56% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Paterson could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 41% of the Paterson population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Paterson your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Paterson, New Jersey could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Paterson, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, health & safety, employment, housing and more.
Paterson, NJ receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #173 in New Jersey and #4,526 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Paterson has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Paterson. The following was graded with a disappointing score: cost of living (F) and education (D).
Paterson has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Paterson has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Lambert Castle, Great Falls National Historical Park, and Paterson Museum.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Paterson is actually affordable. The median home price for Paterson homes is $467,529, which is 15.8% lower than the New Jersey average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Paterson, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7, which is 37.3% higher than the New Jersey average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Paterson | New Jersey | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 31min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 66.0% | 71.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 17.7% | 8.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.6% | 11.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.2% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.7% | 4.1% | 4.6% |
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