Clifton, NJ Demographics

A map of Clifton's Population by Race

Clifton, New Jersey has an estimated population of 89,379, a slight decrease from the 90,296 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.9% White, 39.4% Hispanic, 8.3% Asian, 3.5% Black, 2.3% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Clifton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Clifton has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than New Jersey overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Clifton, that probability was 64.0% in 2020 and 62.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Clifton is ranked the 7th most populous place in New Jersey, out of 700 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Clifton was ranked the 7th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Clifton's White Population

41,053 residents of Clifton, or 45.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Clifton is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Clifton ranks 594th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clifton's White population has grown by an estimated 4.6%. White residents' share of Clifton's population has increased from 43.5% to 45.9%.

Clifton is more White than neighboring Passaic (14.1% White). Clifton is less White than neighboring Brookdale (50.4% White), Montclair State University (58.1% White), Woodland Park (55.4% White), and Upper Montclair (74.8% White).

Clifton's Black Population

3,125 residents of Clifton, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Clifton is lower than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Clifton ranks 268th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clifton's Black population has declined by an estimated 19.9%. Black residents' share of Clifton's population has decreased from 4.3% to 3.5%.

Clifton is more Black than neighboring Woodland Park (3.2% Black). Clifton is less Black than neighboring Passaic (6.8% Black), Brookdale (7.7% Black), Montclair State University (14.3% Black), and Upper Montclair (4.8% Black).

Clifton's Asian Population

7,412 residents of Clifton, or 8.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Clifton is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Clifton ranks 154th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clifton's Asian population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. Asian residents' share of Clifton's population has decreased from 9.3% to 8.3%.

Clifton is more Asian than neighboring Passaic (4.4% Asian), Woodland Park (6.3% Asian), and Upper Montclair (4.3% Asian). Clifton is less Asian than neighboring Brookdale (11.9% Asian), and Montclair State University (12.5% Asian).

Clifton's Hispanic Population

35,175 residents of Clifton, or 39.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Clifton is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Clifton ranks 40th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clifton's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Clifton's population has decreased from 40.0% to 39.4%.

Clifton is more Hispanic than neighboring Brookdale (22.3% Hispanic), Montclair State University (12.6% Hispanic), Woodland Park (31.5% Hispanic), and Upper Montclair (6% Hispanic). Clifton is less Hispanic than neighboring Passaic (73.3% Hispanic).

Clifton's Native American/Other Population

528 residents of Clifton, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Clifton is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Clifton ranks 205th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clifton's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 25.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Clifton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Clifton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Montclair State University (0.3% Native American/Other), Woodland Park (0.2% Native American/Other), and Upper Montclair (0.1% Native American/Other). Clifton is less Native American/Other than neighboring Brookdale (0.9% Native American/Other).

Clifton's Multiracial Population

2,086 residents of Clifton, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Clifton is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Clifton ranks 595th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Clifton's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Clifton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.

Clifton is more Multiracial than neighboring Passaic (0.7% Multiracial). Clifton is less Multiracial than neighboring Brookdale (6.9% Multiracial), Woodland Park (3.3% Multiracial), and Upper Montclair (10% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.