Paterson, NJ Demographics

A map of Paterson's Population by Race

Paterson, New Jersey has an estimated population of 158,735, a less than 1% change from the 159,732 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.5% Hispanic, 22.1% Black, 7.8% White, 4.1% Asian, 0.8% Multiracial, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Paterson, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Paterson has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Paterson, that probability was 55.5% in 2020 and 52.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Paterson is ranked the 3rd 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). Paterson was ranked the 3rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Paterson's White Population

12,454 residents of Paterson, or 7.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Paterson is significantly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Paterson ranks 694th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paterson's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Paterson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.8%.

Paterson is less White than neighboring Prospect Park (14.2% White), Haledon (26.3% White), Woodland Park (55.4% White), Elmwood Park (48.6% White), and Hawthorne (65.4% White).

Paterson's Black Population

35,041 residents of Paterson, or 22.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Paterson is higher than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Paterson ranks 49th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paterson's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.4%. Black residents' share of Paterson's population has decreased from 23.0% to 22.1%.

Paterson is more Black than neighboring Prospect Park (11.5% Black), Haledon (17.8% Black), Woodland Park (3.2% Black), Elmwood Park (10.4% Black), and Hawthorne (2.4% Black).

Paterson's Asian Population

6,515 residents of Paterson, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Paterson is lower than in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Paterson ranks 266th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paterson's Asian population has declined by an estimated 18.5%. Asian residents' share of Paterson's population has decreased from 5.0% to 4.1%.

Paterson is more Asian than neighboring Haledon (3.5% Asian), and Hawthorne (1.8% Asian). Paterson is less Asian than neighboring Prospect Park (5.8% Asian), Woodland Park (6.3% Asian), and Elmwood Park (9.3% Asian).

Paterson's Hispanic Population

102,436 residents of Paterson, or 64.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Paterson is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Paterson ranks 12th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paterson's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Paterson's population has increased from 61.9% to 64.5%.

Paterson is more Hispanic than neighboring Haledon (46.4% Hispanic), Woodland Park (31.5% Hispanic), Elmwood Park (29.5% Hispanic), and Hawthorne (26.1% Hispanic). Paterson is less Hispanic than neighboring Prospect Park (64.9% Hispanic).

Paterson's Native American/Other Population

994 residents of Paterson, 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 Paterson is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Paterson ranks 137th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paterson's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 32.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Paterson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Paterson is more Native American/Other than neighboring Prospect Park (0.2% Native American/Other), and Woodland Park (0.2% Native American/Other). Paterson is less Native American/Other than neighboring Elmwood Park (1% Native American/Other), and Hawthorne (1.4% Native American/Other).

Paterson's Multiracial Population

1,295 residents of Paterson, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Paterson is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Paterson ranks 652nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Paterson's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 41.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Paterson's population has decreased from 1.4% to 0.8%.

Paterson is less Multiracial than neighboring Prospect Park (3.3% Multiracial), Haledon (5.5% Multiracial), Woodland Park (3.3% Multiracial), Elmwood Park (1.3% Multiracial), and Hawthorne (2.8% 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.