At a Glance
Median Income
$53,766
$23,528 per capita
Home Value
$335,400
Zillow: $536,737
Median Rent
$1,457/mo
35.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,010/100K
2,391/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
12.5%
76.1% high school+
Unemployment
10.2%
20.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.5%
16.4% smoking rate
How Paterson Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Paterson's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Paterson a Good Place to Live?
C
2.1 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Paterson residents earn a median household income of $53,766 , which is 28% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $23,528. The unemployment rate stands at 10.2% (183% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 20.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 36,016 business establishments, including 2,730 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Paterson is $335,400 , 19% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $536,737. Median rent is $1,457/month, with 35.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 108.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1952.
Safety & Crime
Paterson reports 1,010 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 166% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,391/100K. The murder rate is 6.9/100K.
Education
12.5% of adults in Paterson hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(63% below the national average).
76.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 7.3/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Paterson has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C).
Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Data Overview
People
Population157,660
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density18,747/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born44.1%
Veterans1.4%
Economy
C
Median Income$53,766
Per Capita$23,528
Unemployment10.2%
Poverty20.9%
County GDP$105,805M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,551
Housing
B
Home Value$335,400
Rent$1,457
Ownership26.2%
Zillow$536,737
Housing Units52,641
Rent Burden35.2%
Crime
F
Violent1,010/100K
Property2,391/100K
Murder6.9/100K
Assault712/100K
Burglary369/100K
Health
Obesity37.5%
Diabetes16.2%
Smoking16.4%
Heart Disease6.5%
Premature Death4,472/100K
Climate
Avg Temp53°F
Rain44.9 in/yr
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation108 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+12.5%
High School+76.1%
Graduate+2.6%
School Score7.3/10
Community
2024 VoteR 47% / D 51%
Commute23 min
Broadband88.1%
Internet Speed154 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries63
Did You Know?
Paterson was founded in 1792.
The median home in Paterson was built in 1952.
The nearest airport is Newark Liberty International (15 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.473 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
8.6% of the population has a disability.
44.1% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 154 Mbps.
There are 2,730 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 38 fatal vehicle crashes.