Paterson, NJ
Census place 3457000 · pop 158,735
America's first planned industrial city, powered by the Great Falls of the Passaic and once the "Silk City."
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
26.9% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
41.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
2.78% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
28.6% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
1007 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
11.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
5.2% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
21.2% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
2390 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$55,997 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.47 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
16.4% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
18.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
89.3% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
37.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$360,100 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$1,935/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
90/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities
2 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
23 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
38 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+8.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
Frequently asked
- Is Paterson, NJ a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Paterson scores 26/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is population growth (5yr) and its weakest is homeownership. New Jersey overall ranks #43 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Paterson, NJ?
- Paterson reports 1007 violent crimes per 100k and 2390 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Paterson, NJ expensive to live in?
- Paterson has a median home value of $360,100 and typical rent around $1,935/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Paterson, NJ?
- Its weakest measured area is homeownership (26.9%) — 1/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Paterson, NJ best at?
- Its strongest measured area is population growth (5yr) (+8.9%) — 78/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: America's first planned industrial city, powered by the Great Falls of the Passaic and once the "Silk City."
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.