Stoney Road

Paterson ( ) is the largest city in and the county seat of Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.New Jersey County Map
New Jersey Department of State. Accessed July 10, 2017. As of the 2020 United States census, its population was 159,732, rendering it New Jersey's third-most-populous city. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated that the city's population was 157,794 in 2021, ranking the city as the 163rd-most-populous in the country.

Paterson is known as the Silk City for its dominant role in silk production during the latter half of the 19th century.Thomasch, Paul
"Irene another blow to struggling New Jersey city"
Reuters, September 1, 2011. Accessed January 24, 2012. "Nicknamed the 'Silk City' for its 19th-century silk factories, Paterson has a place in labor history as the site of a six-month strike in 1913 by the Industrial Workers of the World, or 'Wobblies,' who were viewed as a threat to capitalism at a time when the United States had a radical labor movement." It has since evolved into a major destination for Hispanic immigrants as well as for immigrants from Turkey, the Arab world, and South Asia. Paterson has the nation's second-largest per capita Muslims in the United States, Muslim population,"Robert Menendez, New Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair: 'No Daylight Between US, Israel On My Watch'"
''Algemeiner Journal, The Algemeiner'', March 13, 2013. Accessed January 27, 2015. "JNS.org asked Menendez if his public support for the Jewish community and for Israel in any way has conflicted with his work in diverse New Jersey communities such as Paterson, a city that is home to the second-largest Muslim population in the U.S. as well as a mosque, the Islamic Center of Passaic County, whose leader, Mohammad Qatanani, is allegedly a member of Hamas." and between 75 and 100 languages are spoken in Paterson, many of them Arabic language, Arabic dialects.

History

The area of Paterson was inhabited by the Algonquian languages, Algonquian-speaking Native Americans in the United States, Native American Acquackanonk tribe of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware Indians. The land was known as the Lenapehoking. The Dutch claimed the land as New Netherlands, followed by the British Empire, British as the Province of New Jersey.Scott, William Winfield
"The Founding of Passaic 250 years ago"
, Passaic County Historical Society, September 1, 1929. Accessed January 27, 2015.

Establishment

In 1791, Alexander Hamilton (1755/57–1804), first United States Secretary of the Treasury, helped found the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.), which helped encourage the harnessing of energy from the Great Falls of the Passaic River to secure economic independence from British manufacturers. The society founded Paterson, which became the cradle of the industrial revolution in America. Paterson was named for William Paterson (judge), William Paterson, statesman, signer of the United States Constitution, Constitution and Governor of New Jersey, who signed the 1792 charter that established the Town of Paterson.

Architect, engineer, and Urban planner, city planner Pierre L'Enfant, Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant (1754–1825), who had earlier developed the initial plans for Washington, D.C., was the first planner for the S.U.M. project. His plan proposed to harness the power of the Great Falls through a channel in the rock and an Aqueduct (water supply), aqueduct. The society's directors felt he was taking too long and was over budget, and he was replaced by Peter Colt, who used a less complicated reservoir system to get the water flowing to factories in 1794. Eventually, Colt's system developed some problems and a scheme resembling L'Enfant's original plan was used after 1846.

Paterson was originally formed as a township (New Jersey), township from portions of Acquackanonk Township, New Jersey, Acquackanonk Township on April 11, 1831, while the area was still part of Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County. It became part of the newly created Passaic County on February 7, 1837, and was incorporated as a city on April 14, 1851, based on the results of a referendum held that day. The city was reincorporated on March 14, 1861.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 210. Accessed January 24, 2012.

Industrial growth

The high Great Falls and a system of water raceways that harnessed the falls' power provided power for the mills in the area until 1914 and fostered growth of the city. The district originally included dozens of mill buildings and other manufacturing structures associated with the textile industry and, later, the firearms, silk, and railroad locomotive manufacturing industries. In the latter half of the 19th century, silk production became the dominant industry and formed the basis of Paterson's most prosperous period, earning it the nickname "Silk City."

In 1835, Samuel Colt began producing firearms in Paterson, but within a few years he moved his business to Hartford, Connecticut. Later in the 19th century, Paterson was the site of early experiments with submarines by Irish-American inventor John Philip Holland. Two of Holland's early models—one found at the bottom of the Passaic River—are on display in the Paterson Museum, housed in the former Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works near the Passaic Falls.

Behind Newark and New York, the brewing industry was booming in Paterson in the late 1800s. Braun Brewery, Sprattler & Mennell, Graham Brewery, The Katz Brothers, and Burton Brewery merged in 1890 to form Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company. Hinchliffe Brewing, Hinchliffe Brewing and Malting Company, founded in 1861, produced 75,000 barrels a year from its state-of-the-art facility at 63 Governor Street. All the breweries closed during Prohibition.

The city was a mecca for immigrant laborers, who worked in its factories, particularly Italian weavers from the Naples region. Paterson was the site of historic labor unrest that focused on the six-month-long Paterson silk strike of 1913 that demanded the eight-hour day and better working conditions. It was defeated, with workers returning at the end of the strike without having negotiated any changes.

In 1919, Paterson was one of eight locations bombed by self-identified anarchists.

According to the New Jersey Historical Commission, Paterson’s industrialism ended “as the economy and technological needs of the United States changed. By 1983, Paterson was the fifth poorest city in the United States. The town that had called itself Silk City, the Iron City, and the Cotton City, was in economic ruin.” Once millwork and production left the city, Paterson’s poverty became reminiscent of what occurred in the towns surrounding the Appalachian Mountains once the coal mining industry ended. In 2020, 25.2% of Paterson residents lived in poverty.

Athletics

From 1932 to 1933, Paterson constructed Hinchliffe Stadium, an Art Deco concrete stadium.Hinchliffe Stadium
National Trust for Historic Preservation. Originally called City Stadium, it was renamed in honor of Mayor John V. Hinchliffe and his uncle John Hinchliffe.Alfred M. Martin & Alfred T. Martin, ''The Negro Leagues in New Jersey: A History'' (McFarland, 2008), pp. 21-23. The New York Black Yankees of the Negro National League (1933–1948), Negro National League played at the stadium from 1933 to 1937 and from 1939 to 1945. Professional football teams, including the Paterson Panthers, Newark Bears, and Jersey City Giants, played here. The stadium was also a venue for other professional and high school athletic competitions, boxing matches, fireworks displays, and music concerts. The comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello performed at Hinchliffe before boxing matches (Abbott was from the coastal New Jersey city of Asbury Park and Costello was a Paterson native).Malinconico, Joe
"Paterson's Hinchliffe Stadium is a keystone in the history of Negro Leagues baseball"
''Paterson Press'', October 3, 2018. The stadium was acquired by Paterson Public Schools since 1963 and closed in 1996. It has fallen into disrepair, although preservation and restoration efforts have taken place. The stadium is one of two surviving Negro league baseball stadiums, the other being Birmingham, Alabama's Rickwood Field. Hinchliffe Stadium is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The stadium is currently home to the New Jersey Jackals minor league baseball team.

Post–World War II era

During World War II Paterson played an important part in the aircraft engine industry, but by the end of the war urban areas were in decline and Paterson was no exception. Since the late 1960s the city has suffered high unemployment rates and white flight.

Competition from malls in upscale neighboring towns like Wayne, New Jersey, Wayne and Paramus, New Jersey, Paramus have forced the big chain stores out of Paterson's downtown. The biggest industries are now small businesses, with the decline of the city's industrial base. But the city still attracts many immigrants, who have revived its economy, especially through small businesses.

The downtown area has been struck by massive fires several times, most recently on January 17, 1991. In this fire nearly a whole city block (bordered on the north and south by Main Street and Washington Street and on the east and west by Ellison Street and College Boulevard, a stretch of Van Houten Street dominated by Passaic County Community College) was engulfed in flames due to an electrical fire in the basement of a bar at 161 Main Street and spread to other buildings. Firefighter John A. Nicosia, 28, of Engine 4 went missing in the fire, having gotten lost in the basement. His body was recovered two days later. A plaque honoring his memory was later placed on a wall near the area. The area was so badly damaged that most of the burned buildings were demolished, with an outdoor mall standing in their place. The most notable of the destroyed buildings was the Meyer Brothers department store, which closed in 1987 and had since been parceled out.

Paterson includes numerous locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Passaic County, New Jersey, National Register of Historic Places, including museums, civic buildings such as Paterson City Hall, City Hall, Hinchliffe Stadium, Public School Number Two and the Danforth Memorial Library, churches (Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Paterson, New Jersey), Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church), individual residences, such as Lambert Castle, and districts of the city, such as the Paterson Downtown Commercial Historic District, the Great Falls (Passaic River), Great Falls/Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures Historic District and the Eastside Park Historic District.

In August 2011, Paterson was severely affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene (2011), Hurricane Irene, particularly by flooding of the Passaic River, where waters rose to levels unseen for 100 years, leading to the displacement of thousands and the closure of bridges over the river. Touring the area with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declared, "This is as bad as I've seen, and I've been in eight states that have been impacted by Irene." The same day, President Obama declared New Jersey a disaster area, and announced that he would visit the city.

Geography

Paterson is at the bottom part of Passaic County, which is near the north edge of New Jersey, as a county that spans some hilly areas and has dozens of lakes. The county covers a region about . The region is split by major roads, including portions of Interstate 80 in New Jersey, Interstate 80, which runs through Paterson (see map ''at left)''. The Garden State Parkway (GSP) cuts across the south of Paterson, near Clifton, New Jersey. The Passaic River winds northeast past Totowa, New Jersey, Totowa into Paterson, where the river then turns south to Passaic, NJ, Passaic town, on the way to Newark, New Jersey, Newark, further south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 8.71 square miles (22.55 km²), including 8.41 square miles (21.79 km²) of land and 0.29 square miles (0.76 km²) of water (3.38%).

Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities, Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Riverside and Totowa.

The city borders the municipalities of Clifton, New Jersey, Clifton, Haledon, New Jersey, Haledon, Hawthorne, New Jersey, Hawthorne, Prospect Park, New Jersey, Prospect Park, Totowa, New Jersey, Totowa and Woodland Park, New Jersey, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) in Passaic County; and both Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Elmwood Park (formerly East Paterson) and Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Fair Lawn in Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen County.

Neighborhoods

The Great Falls Historic District is the most famous neighborhood in Paterson because of the landmark Great Falls of the Passaic River. The city has attempted to revitalize the area in recent years, including the installation of period lamp posts and the conversion of old industrial buildings into apartments and retail venues. Many artists live in this section of Paterson. A major redevelopment project is planned for this district in the coming years. The Paterson Museum of Industrial History at Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works is situated in the Historic District.

Downtown Paterson is the main commercial district of the city and was once a shopping destination for many who lived in northern New Jersey. After a devastating fire in 1902, the city rebuilt the downtown with massive Beaux-Arts architecture, Beaux-Arts-style buildings, many of which remain to this day. These buildings are usually four to seven stories tall. Downtown Paterson is home to Paterson City Hall and the Passaic County Courthouse Annex, two of the city's architectural landmarks. City Hall was designed by the New York firm Carrere and Hastings in 1894, and was modeled after the ''Hôtel de Ville, Lyon, Hôtel de Ville'' (city hall) in Lyon, France, capital of the silk industry in Europe.

The former Orpheum Theatre located on Van Houten Street has been converted to a mosque by the Islamic Foundation of New Jersey. The massive structure, now known as Masjid Jalalabad, can accommodate 1,500 worshipers.

As with many other old downtown districts in the United States, Downtown Paterson suffered as shoppers and retailers moved to the suburban shopping malls of the region. Many historic buildings are in disrepair or are abandoned after years of neglect. In addition, Downtown Paterson is an Urban Enterprise Zone. The city has, in recent years, begun initiatives in hopes of reviving the downtown area with the centerpiece being the Center City Mall, constructed on a large parking lot spanning Ward Street from Main to Church Streets and features retail, entertainment, and commercial space. Downtown Paterson is located in the city's 1st Ward.

Eastside Park Historic District consists of about 1,000 homes in a variety of architectural styles, including Tudor Revival architecture, Tudors, Colonial Revival architecture, Georgian colonials, Victorian house, Victorians, Italianate architecture, Italianate villas and Dutch Colonial Revival architecture, Dutch colonials. It is located east of downtown. Once the home of the city's industrial and political leaders, the neighborhood experienced a significant downturn as industry fled Paterson. In recent years, gentrification has begun to occur in the neighborhood and some of the area's historic houses have been restored.

The Eastside Park Historic District is a state and nationally registered historic place. The jewel of the neighborhood is Eastside Park and the mansions that surround it. This section of Paterson once had a large American Jews, Jewish population that reached 40,000 at its peak; a synagogue still remains. Eastside Park and what is commonly known as the Upper Eastside are located in Paterson's 3rd Ward.

East River Section is a section that is referred to by locals roughly bordering Riverside at 5th Avenue and extending south to Broadway, sandwiched in by Madison Avenue to McClean Boulevard (Route 20). However, the neighborhood's layout unofficially extends to the "Paterson-Newark/Hudson Route" of River Road in the Paterson-Memorial Park section of Fair Lawn whose house addresses are in alignment with the now-defunct Jewish synagogue on the corner of 33rd Street and Broadway, which connects Paterson to Newark/Hudson, and at one time was the main route through River Drive, which starts in Elmwood Park and rides north to south along the East Bank of the Passaic River in Paterson's original county.

Built when Paterson was still Bergen County, River Drive changes to River Road in the greater Eastside Sections of Upper Eastside-Manor Section, East River, and Riverside Sections, and turns into Wagaraw Road north of 1st Avenue / Maple Avenue in the old Bunker Hill extension of Columbia Heights in Fair Lawn an indication of not only entering the Industrial Section but also entering the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains in Hawthorne.

River Drive then turns into East Main Street to indicate that you have entered the Northside Section. The East River neighborhood which was and still maintains its "blue-collar" working-class identity, was at one time known for its large Jewish community, as well as a Neapolitan/Italian population and more recently other Mediterranean and Adriatic Europeans, Caribbean and South Americans, and other modern immigrant groups from all over the world, as well as African-Americans.

Manor Section is a residential neighborhood in Paterson. It is located east of East 33rd Street, north of Broadway, and south-west of Route 20 and the Passaic River. The Manor section of Paterson is located in the city's 3rd Ward. The layout and culture of the Manor Section also extends into the neighboring Lyncrest and Rivercrest sections of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Fair Lawn, with all the addresses aligning themselves to the now-defunct Jewish Temple, located at the corner of 33rd and Broadway.

South Paterson, also known as Little Istanbul or Little Ramallah, is a diverse neighborhood with a growing number of immigrants from the Middle East, with significant Turkish people, Turkish and Arab communities. The neighborhood is located in the 6th Ward, east of Main Street and west of West Railway Avenue. A majority of the city's Arabs live in this section of Paterson. Many of the retail shops and restaurants cater to this community. The neighborhood is characterized by Halal meat markets which offer goat and lamb, and shop signs are in Arabic. South Paterson's Arab community is mostly made up of Jordanians, Palestinians,Cowen, Richard
"Paterson's Palestinians celebrate annual flag-raising at City Hall"
''The Record (North Jersey), The Record'', May 18, 2014. Accessed August 5, 2014. Demographics of Syria, Syrians, and Lebanon, Lebanese.

Lakeview is situated in the southern part of the city, and is a middle class neighborhood. Interstate 80 runs north of this district. Lakeview is home to the Paterson farmers market, Farmers Market, where many people from across North Jersey come to buy produce, fresh produce. The neighborhood is roughly 65% Hispanic, although this neighborhood also has sizable European American, European, Middle-Eastern, African-American, and Asian people, Asian populations, including a significant Filipino American, Filipino presence. Lakeview also shares some of the same characteristics as neighboring Clifton, New Jersey, Clifton as they both share a neighborhood bearing the same name. The Lakeview section of Paterson is located in the city's 6th ward.

Hillcrest is a largely residential, middle class enclave, to the west of the downtown area. Its borders' limits are Preakness Avenue to the east, Cumberland Avenue to the west, and Totowa Avenue along with West Side Park and the Passaic River to the south. Hillcrest is one of Paterson's most desirable neighborhoods. The neighborhood is very diverse having significant Italian, Arab, and Asian populations. The Hillcrest section of Paterson is located in the city's 2nd Ward.

People's Park is a neighborhood located north of 23rd Avenue and south of Market Street. Twenty-First Avenue, or "La Veinte y uno", as it is known by most of Paterson's Spanish-speaking community, is located in the People's Park section of Paterson. It is an active and vibrant retail strip featuring a variety of shops and services catering to a diverse clientele. Twenty-First Avenue used to have a large Italian people, Italian population. Although there is still a significant Italian presence left in the neighborhood, it also has a large first-generation Hispanic population, particularly Colombian people, Colombian.

Wrigley Park is a neighborhood that has suffered from years of poverty, crime, and neglect. It is mostly African-American. Poverty, crime, open-air drug markets, prostitution, vacant lots, and boarded-up windows are all common in this area. However, new houses are being built, and crime has dropped in recent years. This neighborhood is located north of Broadway. It is also known as the '4th Ward'. It was named for a Paterson paper manufacturing family.

Sandy Hill is a neighborhood in the Eastside, Paterson, Eastside located roughly west of Madison Avenue, north of 21st Avenue, south of Park Avenue, and east of Straight Street. Due to Paterson's significant population turn-over, this neighborhood is now home to a large and growing Hispanic community, mostly first-generation Dominican Republic, Dominicans. The Sandy Hill section of Paterson is located in the city's 5th Ward. Roberto Clemente Park, which was originally known as Sandy Hill Park, is located in this neighborhood.

Part of the 5th Ward is called Near Eastside by residents to differentiate it from the Eastside Park Historic District to its immediate east.

Northside, located north of Downtown, suffers from many of the social problems facing the Wrigley Park neighborhood, but to a lesser extent. This neighborhood borders the boroughs of Haledon, New Jersey, Haledon and Prospect Park, New Jersey, Prospect Park and is known for its hills and sweeping views of the New York City skyline. The Northside section of Paterson is located in the city's 1st Ward.

Totowa section is a large neighborhood located west of the Passaic River, south-west of West Broadway and north-east of Preakness Avenue. As the name implies, it borders the town of Totowa, New Jersey, Totowa. It is mostly Hispanic but with an increasing South Asian community, mainly Bangladeshi. Many Bengali grocery and clothing stores are located on Union Avenue and the surrounding streets. Masjid Al-Ferdous is located on Union Avenue, which accommodates the daily Bangladeshi pedestrian population.

A large Italian people, Italian presence remains in this neighborhood. Many Peruvian and other Latin American cuisine, Latin American restaurants and businesses are located on Union Avenue. Colonial Village and Brooks Sloate Terraces are located in this neighborhood. The Totowa Section is located in parts of the 1st and 2nd Wards of Paterson.

Stoney Road is Paterson's most south-west neighborhood, bordering Woodland Park, New Jersey, Woodland Park to the south and Totowa, New Jersey, Totowa across the Passaic River to the west. This neighborhood is home to Pennington Park, Hayden Heights, Lou Costello Pool, the Levine reservoir, Murray Avenue, Mc Bride Avenue, and Garret Heights. A strong Italian people, Italian presence remains in this neighborhood. The Stoney Road section of Paterson is located in the city's 2nd Ward.

Riverside is a larger neighborhood in Paterson and, as its name suggests, is bound by the Passaic River to the north and east, separating the city from Hawthorne, New Jersey, Hawthorne and Fair Lawn. Riverside is a working-class neighborhood. The neighborhood is mostly residential with some industrial uses. Madison Avenue cuts through the heart of this district. Route 20 runs through the eastern border of Riverside, providing an easy commute to Route 80 East and New York City. This section is ethnically diverse with a growing Hispanic community concentrating mostly north and along River Street. Many Albanians make their home in the East 18th Street and River Street areas. River View Terrace is located in this neighborhood. Riverside is located in parts of the 3rd and 4th Wards of Paterson.

Bunker Hill is a mostly industrial area west of River Street and east of the Passaic River.

Westside Park located off Totowa Avenue and best known as the site of the Holland submarine, Fenian Ram, which was built from 1879 to 1881 for the Fenian Brotherhood. It became the target of graffiti artists because the fence surrounding it was too low and too close to the submarine itself. The sub is now located in Paterson Museum.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Paterson has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. Despite the size of the city, it has no weather reporting station, and thus, no historic climate data. Paterson uses Newark's airport for its local weather.

Demographics

According to then-Mayor Jose Torres, Paterson had 52 distinct ethnic groups in 2014. By 2020, Paterson had the second-largest Muslim population in the United States by percentage, and nearly 100 languages were spoken in Paterson, many of them Arabic language, Arabic dialects. Paterson's rapidly growing Bangladeshi American, Turkish American, Arab American,via Associated Press
"Muslims could prove key in choosing next U.S. president"
''The Seattle Times'', October 8, 2004. Accessed July 17, 2011. "... Paterson, which is the nation's second-largest Arab-American community after the Dearborn, Mich.-area." Albanian American, Bosnian American, Dominican American, and Peruvian American communities are among the largest and most prominent in the United States, the latter owing partially to the presence of the Consulate of Peru. Paterson's Muslim population has been estimated at 25,000 to 30,000. Paterson has become a prime destination for one of the fastest-growing communities of Dominican Americans, who have become the city's largest ethnic group. The Stateside Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rican population has established a highly significant presence as well.

Demographic surveys and census data find Paterson has the highest percentage of disabled persons of any city with more than 100,000 residents, with about 30% of males and 29% of females not classified as poor listed as having a disability.

2020 Census

2010 Census

Domestic partnership, Same-sex couples headed 290 households in 2010, a decline from the 349 counted in 2000.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation adjustment, inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $34,086 (with a margin of error of ±$1,705) and the median family income was $39,003 (±$2,408). Males had a median income of $30,811 (±$825) versus $28,459 (±$1,570) for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,543 (±$467). About 24.1% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 25.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 149,222 people, 44,710 households, and 33,353 families residing in the city, for a population density of 17,675.4 per square mile (6,826.4/km²).Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Paterson city, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 13, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Paterson city, Passaic County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 13, 2013. Among cities with a population higher than 100,000, Paterson was the second most densely populated large city in the United States, only after New York City.

There were 47,169 housing units at an average density of 5,587.2 per square mile (2,157.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 32.90% African American (U.S. Census), African American, 13.20% White (U.S. Census), White, 0.60% Native American (U.S. Census), Native American, 1.90% Asian (U.S. Census), Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander (U.S. Census), Pacific Islander, 27.60% from Race (United States Census), other races and 6.17% from two or more races. Latinos (U.S. Census), Latino people of any race were 50.1% of the population. The majority of Latinos are Puerto Ricans in the United States, Puerto Rican 14%, Dominican Americans, Dominican 10%, Peruvian American, Peruvian 5% and Colombian American, Colombian 3%.

There were 44,710 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were Marriage, married couples living together, 26.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.71.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,127, and the median income for a family was $32,983. Males had a median income of $27,911 versus $21,733 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,257. About 19.2% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.0% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.

Ethnic groups

Waves of Irish people, Irish, Germans, Dutch (ethnic group), Dutch, and Jews settled in the city in the 19th century. Italians, Italian and Eastern Europe immigrants soon followed. As early as 1890, Syrian, Lebanon, Lebanese and Palestinians, Palestinian immigrants also arrived in Paterson.

In addition to many African Americans of Southern heritage, more recent immigrants have come from the Caribbean people, Caribbean and Ethnic groups of Africa, Africa. Paterson's black population increased during the Great Migration (African American), Great Migration of the 20th century, but there have been Patersonians of African descent since before the Civil War. However, Paterson's black population declined between the years 2000 and 2010, consistent with the overall New Great Migration, return migration of African Americans from Northern New Jersey back to the Southern United States. A house once existing at Bridge Street and Broadway was a station on the Underground Railroad. It was operated from 1855 to 1864 by abolitionists William Van Rensalier, a black engineer, and Josiah Huntoon, a white industrialist. There is a memorial located at the site.
Many second- and third-generation Puerto Rican people, Puerto Ricans have called Paterson home since the 1950s, including an estimated 10,000 who participated in the 2014 mayoral election, which was won by Jose "Joey" Torres, a Puerto Rican American who was one of three Hispanic candidates vying for the seat.Loboguerrero, Cristina; translated from Spanish by Carlos Rodríguez-Martorell, Carlos
"Three Hispanic Candidates Vie For Paterson, NJ Mayor"
, Voices of NY from ''El Diario La Prensa'', May 12, 2014. "Puerto Rican José 'Joey' Torres, who was the mayor from 2002 to 2010, seeks to regain the seat after losing it to Jeffery Jones in the past election. Torres and the current City Council President Andre Sayegh are the main favorites to unseat Jones in the May 13 election. The other Latino candidates are both Dominican: María Teresa Feliciano is a newcomer in politics, and Councilman Rigo Rodríguez was recently charged with electoral fraud." Today's Hispanic immigrants to Paterson are primarily Dominican Republic, Dominican, Peruvian, Colombian, Mexican people, Mexican, and Central American, with a resurgence of Puerto Rican migration to New York City, Puerto Rican migration as well. In 2014, more than 600 business people attended the annual Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Convention in Paterson.

Western Market Street, sometimes called Little Lima by tourists, is home to many Peruvian and other Latin-American businesses. In contrast, if one travels east on Market Street, a heavy concentration of Dominican Republic, Dominican-owned restaurants, beauty salons, barbershops, and other businesses can be seen. The Great Falls Historic District, Cianci Street, Union Avenue, and 21st Avenue have several Italian businesses. To the north of the Great Falls is a fast-growing Bangladeshi population. Park Avenue and Market Street between Straight Street and Madison Avenue are heavily Dominican Republic, Dominican and Puerto Rican American, Puerto Rican.

Main Street, just south of downtown, is heavily Mexican with a resurgent Puerto Ricans in the New York metropolitan area, Puerto Rican community.
Accessed May 18, 2019. Broadway, also called Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, is significantly black, as are the Fourth Ward and parts of Eastside and Northside, although Paterson's African American population is declining. Costa Ricans and other Central American immigrant communities are growing in the Riverside and Peoples Park neighborhoods. Main Street between the Clifton, New Jersey, Clifton border and Madison Avenue is heavily Turkish people, Turkish and Arab. 21st Avenue in the People's Park section is characterized by Colombian and other Latin American restaurants and shops.

Every summer, Patersonians conduct an African-American Day Parade, a Dominican Day Parade, a Puerto Rican Day Parade, a Peruvian Day Parade, and a Turkish-American Day Parade; budget cuts in 2011 have forced parade organizers to contribute to cover the costs of police and other municipal services.

Paterson is widely considered the capital of the Peruvian diaspora in the U.S. Little Lima, a Peruvian enclave in Downtown Paterson, is the largest Peruvian enclave outside of South America, home to approximately 10,000 Peruvian immigrants.Cowen, Richard
"Peruvian chefs in Paterson have Eva's kitchen to thank"
''The Record (North Jersey), The Record'', May 18, 2019. Accessed November 14, 2020. "Paterson has an estimated 10,000 Peruvian immigrants, according to the U.S. Census, which make it the largest Peruvian enclave in the United States."Harrison, Karen Tina
"Savor City; Paterson, the one-time Silk City, is a Great Falls of ethnic eating."
''New Jersey Monthly'', July 13, 2019. Accessed November 14, 2020. "Turkish, Syrian, Lebanese, Egyptian, and Palestinian immigrants, among others, share a grand mosque, Masjid Jalalabad, in the renovated, once-endangered 1921 Orpheum Theater. A long stretch of Main Street in the South Paterson neighborhood amounts to a Jersey souk, or market, encompassing all kinds of shops and Middle Eastern eateries." Paterson has named an area bordered by Mill, Market, Main, and Cianci streets "Peru Square". Paterson's rapidly growing Peruvian community celebrates what is known as Señor de los Milagros ("Our Lord of Miracles" in English) on October 18 through 28th each year and every July participates in the annual Passaic County Peruvian Day Parade, which passes through Market Street and Main Street in the Little Lima neighborhood of Downtown Paterson. In the 2000 Census, 4.72% of residents listed themselves as being of Peruvian American ancestry, the third-highest percentage of the population of any municipality in New Jersey and the United States, behind East Newark, New Jersey, East Newark with 10.1% and Harrison, New Jersey, Harrison with 7.01%. The community includes both Quechua language, Quechua and Spanish language, Spanish speakers.

Paterson is home to the third-largest Dominican-American Community in the United States, after New York City and Lawrence, Massachusetts. In the 2000 Census, 10.27% of residents listed themselves as being of Dominican American ancestry, the eighth highest percentage of the population of any municipality in the United States and the third-highest percentage in New Jersey, behind Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Perth Amboy's 18.81% and Union City, New Jersey, Union City's 11.46%. Paterson renamed a section of Park Avenue in Sandy Hill to Dominican Republic Way to recognize the Dominican community, which is the largest Hispanic community in the city.

Paterson is home to the largest Turkish Americans, Turkish-American immigrant community in the United States (known as Little Istanbul) and the second largest Arab American, Arab-American community after Dearborn, Michigan. Paterson has been also nicknamed ''Little Ramallah'' and contains a neighborhood with the same name in South Paterson, with an Arab American population estimated as high as 20,000 in 2015, serving as the center of Paterson's growing Syrian AmericanVilleneuve, Marina; and Seasly, John
"Nearly 100 gather for Paterson candlelight vigil honoring Syrian refugees"
, ''The Record (North Jersey), The Record'', September 5, 2015. Accessed December 6, 2016.Adely, Hannan
"Paterson embraces Syrian refugees as neighbors"
, ''The Record (North Jersey), The Record'', December 1, 2015. Accessed December 6, 2016. and Palestinian American populations. The Paterson-based Arab American Civic Association runs an Arabic language program in the Paterson Public Schools that serves 125 students at School 9 on Saturdays. Paterson is also home to the largest Circassians, Circassian immigrant community in the United States.

The Greater Paterson area which includes the cities of Clifton, New Jersey, Clifton and Wayne, New Jersey, Wayne and the boroughs of Haledon, New Jersey, Haledon, Prospect Park, New Jersey, Prospect Park, North Haledon, New Jersey, North Haledon, Totowa, New Jersey, Totowa, Woodland Park, New Jersey, Woodland Park, and Little Falls, New Jersey, Little Falls, is home to the nation's largest North Caucasian peoples, North Caucasian population, mostly Circassians, Karachays, and small Chechens, Chechen and Dagestani communities. Reflective of these communities, Paterson and Prospect Park public schools observe Muslim holidays.

Paterson has incorporated a rapidly growing Bangladeshi American community, which is estimated to number 15,000, the largest in the United States outside New York City. Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman was ultimately certified as the winner of the 2012 city council race in the Second Ward, making him North Jersey's first Bangladeshi-American elected official.

A branch of the Sonali Exchange Company Inc. has opened on Union Avenue in the Totowa section of town (not to be confused with the Passaic County municipality Totowa); the Sonali Exchange Company is a subsidiary of Sonali Bank, the largest state-owned commercial bank in Bangladesh.

Economy

Portions of the city are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The city was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the % rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants. Established in September 1994, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in September 2025. The UEZ program plays a pivotal role in the city's economic revitalization.

Arts and culture

Paterson has a significant parks and recreation system, including larger areas such as Eastside, Westside, and Pennington Parks, as well as neighborhood parks such as Wrigley, Robert Clemente, and People's. The Great Falls (Passaic River), Great Falls of the Passaic are part of the national park system.

The Paterson Museum, in the Old Great Falls Historic District, Great Falls Historic District, was founded in 1925 and is owned and operated by the city of Paterson. Its mission is to preserve and display the industrial history of the city. Since 1982, the museum has been housed in the Thomas Rogers Building on Market Street, the former erecting shop of Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works, a major 19th-century manufacturer of railroad steam locomotives.

Belle Vista, locally known as Belle Vista (Paterson, New Jersey), Lambert Castle, was built in 1892 as the home of Catholina Lambert, the self-made owner of a prominent silk mill in Paterson. After Lambert's death in 1923, his family sold the building to the city, which in turn sold it to the County of Passaic a few years later. The county used the building for administrative offices, and in 1936, provided one room to the fledgling Passaic County Historical Society to serve as its historical museum. As time went by the museum grew, room by room until the entire first floor became the historical museum.

In the late 1990s, the Castle underwent a multi-million-dollar restoration and all four floors of the building were developed into a museum and library. Today, Passaic County remains the owner of the building and supports the facilities' operation; however, the Passaic County Historical Society is solely responsible for the operation and management of Lambert Castle Museum with its historical period rooms, long-term and changing exhibition galleries, educational programs for elementary and middle-school students, and research library/archive.

Above Lambert Castle stands a observation tower, located at the peak of Watchung Mountains, Garret Mountain, which while technically standing in Woodland Park, New Jersey, Woodland Park, was constructed when the property was considered part of Paterson. The tower is part of the Garret Mountain Reservation and renovations were completed in 2009 to restore the tower to the original condition as built in 1896 by Lambert, who used the tower to impress guests with its view of the New York City skyline.

Attempts were being made to fund the restoration of the Paterson Armory as a recreation and cultural center, but the building was destroyed by fire before these could bear fruit.

Media

WPAT AM 930 has been licensed to Paterson since 1941. 93.1 FM was added in 1957.

Government

Local government

The City of Paterson operates within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under a Plan-D Faulkner Act (mayor–council), Mayor-Council form of government, which was adopted in 1974 in a change from a 1907 statute-based form.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 151. The city is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form.

Under the Mayor-Council plan, the Mayor is the chief executive and is responsible for administering the City's activities. The Mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term by the citizens and is responsible for them. The mayor enforces the charter and the ordinances and laws passed by the City Council. The Mayor appoints all department heads including the business administrator, with the advice and consent of the Council and may remove any department heads after giving them notice and an opportunity to be heard. With the assistance of the business administrator, the Mayor is responsible for the preparation of the municipal budget. The Mayor submits the budget to the Council along with a detailed analysis of expenditures and revenues. The Council may reduce any item or items in the budget by a majority vote, but can only increase an item by a two-thirds vote.

The City Council is comprised of nine members. Of these, six are elected through the use of the Ward (United States), ward system, where candidates run to represent a certain area of the city. The other three seats are elected using the at-large system, where each candidate is voted upon by the entire voting population of the city. Municipal elections are held in even-numbered years, are non-partisan democracy, non-partisan, and take place on the second Tuesday in May. The six members of the City Council representing their wards are elected in the same years as presidential elections, while the mayoral election and the at-large Council elections are held in the same years as the mid-term Congressional elections.

, the Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, Mayor of Paterson is Andre Sayegh, whose term of office ends June 30, 2026. The previous mayor was Jane Williams-Warren, who was serving on an interim basis following the resignation of Joey Torres, José "Joey" Torres.Mayor
City of Paterson. Accessed July 11, 2022. Torres was in his third non-consecutive term as Mayor of Paterson, having first been elected by defeating incumbent Martin G. Barnes in 2002 and then winning re-election in 2006 against Lawrence Spagnola. After losing his bid for a third consecutive term by a margin of 600 votes to City Council President Jeffery Jones in 2010, Torres defeated Jones in a rematch four years later. Torres pleaded guilty to corruption charges in September 2017 that required him to leave office and to serve a prison term of five years. According to city law, the President of the City Council is the next in line to succeed a Mayor who is removed from office for any reason and serves as Acting Mayor until the next election, unless the Council appoints someone else to fill the post within 30 days of the creation of the vacancy. City Council President Ruby Cotton immediately became Mayor upon Torres' resignation
and served until September 29, when the council voted 5–4 to appoint Williams-Warren, a former city clerk, as interim mayor until the May 2018 municipal election.

Members of the City Council are Council President Shahin Khalique (Second Ward; 2024), Council Vice President Alex Mendez (Third Ward; 2024), Alaa "Al" Abdelaziz (Sixth Ward; 2024), Ruby N. Cotton (Fourth Ward; 2024), Maritza Davila (at-large; 2026), Michael Jackson (First Ward; 2024), Dr. Lilisa Mimms (at-large; 2026), MD Forid Uddin (at-large; 2026) and Luis Velez (Fifth Ward; 2024).''Passaic County 2021 Directory''
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated as of April 2021. Accessed July 1, 2022.2022 Paterson Municipal Election May 10, 2022 Official Results
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated May 18, 2022. Accessed July 11, 2022.May 12, 2020 Summary Report Passaic County Official results
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated May 20, 2020. Accessed July 11, 2022.

In July 2018, Alaa "Al" Abdelaziz was selected to fill the Sixth Ward seat expiring in June 2020 that had been held by Andre Sayegh until he stepped down to take office as mayor. In the November 2018 general election, Abdelaziz was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.2018 General Election November 6, 2018 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results
, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 30, 2018. Accessed January 1, 2019.

In 2018, the city had an average property tax bill of $8,087, the lowest in the county, compared to an average bill of $10,005 in Passaic County and $8,767 statewide.

The 2020 election for Paterson's Third Ward city council was invalidated after allegations of voter fraud vote-by-mail. More than 24% of ballots failed to meet the standard for mail-in ballots.

Federal, state and county representation

Paterson is located in the 9th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report
New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 35th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District
New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''
New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019. Prior to the 2010 Census, Paterson had been part of the , a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.''2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''
, p. 62, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.

Passaic County is governed by Board of County Commissioners (New Jersey), Board of County Commissioners, comprised of seven members who are elected at-large to staggered three-year terms office on a partisan basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At a reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects a Director and Deputy Director from among its members to serve for a one-year term.
, Passaic County's Commissioners are
Director Bruce James (Democratic Party (United States), D, Clifton, New Jersey, Clifton, term as commissioner ends December 31, 2023; term as director ends 2022),
Deputy Director Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara (D, Little Falls, New Jersey, Little Falls, term as commissioner ends 2024; term as deputy director ends 2022),
John W. Bartlett (D, Wayne, New Jersey, Wayne, 2024),
Theodore O. "T.J." Best Jr. (D, Paterson, New Jersey, Paterson, 2023),
Terry Duffy (D, West Milford, New Jersey, West Milford, 2022),
Nicolino Gallo (Republican Party (United States), R, Totowa, New Jersey, Totowa, 2024) and
Pasquale "Pat" Lepore (D, Woodland Park, New Jersey, Woodland Park, 2022).Board of County Commissioners
Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022. "Passaic County is governed by a seven-member Board of County Commissioners. Each County Commissioner is elected at large for a three-year term. The board is headed by a director, who is selected for a one-year term at the board's annual reorganization meeting (at the first meeting of the year in January)."''Passaic County 2021 Directory''
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated as of April 2021. Accessed April 29, 2022.2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 Summary Report Official Results
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.2019 General Election November 5, 2019 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results
Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are
County Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof (Democratic Party (United States), D, Hawthorne, New Jersey, Hawthorne, 2023),
Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik (D, Clifton, 2022) and
Surrogate Zoila S. Cassanova (D, Wayne, 2026).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 68,324 registered voters in Paterson, of which 27,926 (40.9% vs. 31.0% countywide) were registered as Democratic Party (United States), Democrats, 3,100 (4.5% vs. 18.7%) were registered as Republican Party (United States), Republicans and 37,285 (54.6% vs. 50.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated (New Jersey), Unaffiliated. There were 13 voters registered to other parties.Voter Registration Summary - Passaic
New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 16, 2013. Among the city's 2010 Census population, 46.7% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 64.8% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide).

In the United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012, 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 93.6% of the vote (41,662 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 6.1% (2,696 votes), and other candidates with 0.3% (152 votes), among the 45,050 ballots cast by the city's 78,194 registered voters (540 ballots were Spoilt vote, spoiled), for a turnout of 57.6%. In the United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008, 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 38,085 votes (86.7% vs. 58.8% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 4,098 votes (9.3% vs. 37.7%) and other candidates with 150 votes (0.3% vs. 0.8%), among the 43,946 ballots cast by the city's 70,925 registered voters, for a turnout of 62.0% (vs. 70.4% in Passaic County). In the United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004, 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 28,896 votes (79.2% vs. 48.3% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 5,959 votes (16.3% vs. 50.7%) and other candidates with 151 votes (0.4% vs. 0.96%), among the 36,470 ballots cast by the city's 64,151 registered voters, for a turnout of 56.9% (vs. 69.3% in the whole county).

In the New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013, 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 78.5% of the vote (15,726 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 20.6% (4,123 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (179 votes), among the 20,787 ballots cast by the city's 80,140 registered voters (759 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 25.9%. In the New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009, 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 17,334 ballots cast (85.7% vs. 50.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 2,213 votes (10.9% vs. 43.2%), Independent Chris Daggett with 264 votes (1.3% vs. 3.8%) and other candidates with 129 votes (0.6% vs. 0.9%), among the 20,233 ballots cast by the city's 66,603 registered voters, yielding a 30.4% turnout (vs. 42.7% in the county).

Emergency services

The City of Paterson is served by the Paterson Police Department (New Jersey), Paterson Police Department.

The Paterson Fire Department, headed by Chief Brian McDermott, operates out of seven fire stations with a total of 400 employees and is also responsible for the city's emergency medical services division and ambulance units. The department is part of the Metro Urban search and rescue, USAR Strike Team, which consists of nine North Jersey fire departments and other emergency services divisions working to address major emergency rescue situations.

In addition to local services, Paterson is home to the Passaic County Sheriffs in the United States, Sheriff's Office Courts Division in the Passaic County Courthouse and Correctional Division in the Passaic County Jail. The jail, originally constructed in 1957, can accommodate 1,242 inmate beds.

In April 2011, Paterson laid off 125 police officers, nearly 25% of the total force in the city, due to severe budget constraints caused by a $70 million deficit. At the same time, the Guardian Angels, a New York City-based volunteer citizen safety patrol organization, began operating in Paterson at the invitation of the Mayor.

St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center is a large institution providing comprehensive emergency services as well as non-emergency medical care to Paterson and the surrounding community.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the city had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Passaic County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

By road, Paterson is served directly by Interstate 80 in New Jersey, Interstate 80, as well as State Routes New Jersey Route 4, 4, New Jersey Route 19, 19, and New Jersey Route 20, 20. The Garden State Parkway, U.S. Route 46, State Routes New Jersey Route 3, 3, New Jersey Route 17, 17, New Jersey Route 21, 21, and New Jersey Route 208, 208 are also nearby and serve as feeder roads to the community.

Paterson also served as the terminus for numerous major secondary roads in northern New Jersey. Paterson Plank Road linked the city to Jersey City and eventually, the Hudson River waterfront in Hoboken, while the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike connected the city with Sussex County, New Jersey, Sussex County along what is now parts of New Jersey Route 23, State Route 23.

Public transportation

The city is served by the NJ Transit Main Line (NJ Transit), Main Line commuter rail service to Hoboken Terminal, Hoboken, with Paterson station, the station located in Downtown Paterson. Plans are being developed for a new commuter rail service on the existing New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, NYS&W line, which is currently single-tracked. The Passaic-Bergen Rail Line plans to have five stops in Paterson.

Bus service to locations in Passaic, Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen, Essex County, New Jersey, Essex and Hudson County, New Jersey, Hudson counties is provided by NJ Transit, making the city a regional transit hub. The Broadway Bus Terminal, also in downtown, is the terminus for many NJ Transit bus lines.

Service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan is offered on the 161 (New Jersey bus), 161 and the 190 (New Jersey bus), 190, by the 171 (New Jersey bus), 171 to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Washington Heights, Manhattan, on the 72 (New Jersey bus), 72 to Newark, New Jersey, Newark, with local service provided on the 74 (New Jersey bus), 74, 702 (New Jersey bus), 702, 703 (New Jersey bus), 703, 704 (New Jersey bus), 704, 707 (New Jersey bus), 707, 712 (New Jersey bus), 712, 722 (New Jersey bus), 722, 742 (New Jersey bus), 742 (Saturday only), 744 (New Jersey bus), 744, 746 (New Jersey bus), 746, 748 (New Jersey bus), 748, 770 (New Jersey bus), 770, 970 (New Jersey bus), 970 and 971 (New Jersey bus), 971 routes. Many buses stop at or near City Hall, going to various points in the area, including New York and the neighboring communities.

Private, independent jitney buses (guagua (minibus), guaguas or Dollar vans in the New York metropolitan area, dollar vans) connect Paterson with neighboring communities along Route 4 and provide transportation to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Manhattan. These buses run at high frequency but do not have formal, published schedules.

Education

The Paterson Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in ''Abbott v. Burke'' which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 51 schools, had an enrollment of 27,601 students and 2,053.5 classroom teachers (on an full-time equivalent, FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.4:1.District information for Paterson Public School District
National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020. District enrollment in Paterson surged at the start of the 2015–16 school year, creating a public school enrollment of 700 students higher than expected and putting the school district in a situation of needing to hire teachers rapidly not long after the district had laid off 300 positions.

In 2011, all of Paterson's high schools were changed to theme schools, as part of a goal to give students a better choice in areas they wanted to pursue. Among the 594 students who took the SAT in 2013, the mean combined score was 1120 and there were 19 students (3.2% of those taking the exam) who achieved the combined score of 1550 that the College Board considers an indicator of college readiness, a decline from the 26 students (4.3%) who achieved the standard the previous year.

Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology is a charter school serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Other charter schools include Community Charter School of Paterson (K–8), John P. Holland Charter School (K–8) and Paterson Arts and Science Charter School (K–7).

In 2021, Governor Murphy announced the approval of a new charter, Brilla NJ, to be opened in 2023. It was the first approved charter in his first term as governor.

The city is host to the state's annual robotics competition held at Passaic County Community College. The North Jersey Robotics Competition was created to place high educational merit on the students of Paterson. The competition draws schools from around New Jersey. Three events make up the meet which takes place on two different days. The competition's tenth-anniversary event in 2011 was won by Paterson's Panther Academy.

Blessed Sacrament School and St. Gerard Majella School are elementary schools that operate under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. In the face of declining enrollment and financial difficulties, Paterson Catholic High School, the city's last remaining Catholic high school, was closed by the Diocese of Paterson.

Paterson hosts the main campus of Passaic County Community College, established in the 1970s, which serves 13,000 students at its main campus and at satellite programs in Passaic, New Jersey, Passaic, Wanaque, New Jersey, Wanaque and at the Public Safety Academy.

Sister cities

Sister cities of Paterson include:
* Eskişehir, Turkey, May 22, 2002
* Lyon, Rhône (department), Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
* Lowell, Massachusetts
* Sylhet, Bangladesh
* Surat, Gujarat, India
* Vadodara, Gujarat, India
* Yulin, Shaanxi, Yulin, Shaanxi, China

Friendship

There is a pact of friendship with the town of Montescaglioso (Province of Matera, Matera, Basilicata, Italy), as testified by mutual naming of two streets in their city centers. Paterson was a place of Italian emigration in the late nineteenth century and today houses a large community of citizens of Montescaglioso who emigrated in those years.Twenty-First Avenue: Place of Conjunction
Library of Congress. Accessed August 7, 2013. "Italians from that town found their way to Paterson and settled in the 21st Avenue area earlier in this century. This population increased over the years, at least in part because of the Italian practice of chain migration. The Paterson Montese community was fed by renewed immigration after World War II, from about the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, when immigration from Italy to the United States slowed considerably as a result of vastly improved economic conditions in Italy."

*"Avenue Paterson" in Montescaglioso
*"Montescaglioso Street" in Paterson

The San Rocco Society was founded in Paterson, an association whose main purpose is to maintain sales relationships with the Italy, and in some ways the traditions.

In popular culture

Paterson is the subject of William Carlos Williams' five-book epic poem ''Paterson (poem), Paterson'', a cornerstone work of modern American poetry. Paterson is also mentioned in the twelfth line of Part 1 of Allen Ginsberg's poem ''Howl (poem), Howl''. In the novel ''On the Road'' by Ginsberg's friend Jack Kerouac, the protagonist Sal Paradise lives with his aunt in Paterson. Kerouac may have chosen Paterson as a stand-in for his hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts, also a mill town with a waterfall. Paterson is the setting of many of Junot Diaz's short stories and novels, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning ''The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao'', and John Updike's 1997 novel ''In the Beauty of the Lilies.''

The controversial arrest and conviction of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, whose conviction was overturned in 1985, was dramatized in the 1999 Denzel Washington film, ''The Hurricane (1999 film), The Hurricane'', and was partially shot in the city. The lyrics of the Bob Dylan song Hurricane (Bob Dylan song), "Hurricane" include ''"In Paterson that's just the way things go / If you're Black you might as well not show / Up on the street / Unless you want to draw the heat"''. The film ''Lean on Me (film), Lean On Me'', while sensationalized, is based on events that occurred in Paterson's Eastside High School (Paterson, New Jersey), Eastside High School. ''Alice, Sweet Alice'' (1976) with Brooke Shields was filmed entirely in Paterson, the director's hometown, as was ''State Property (film), State Property''. Its sequel, ''State Property 2'', and ''Far from Heaven'', ''The Preacher's Wife'' and ''Purple Rose of Cairo'' are among other films that were partially shot in Paterson. The city was also a filming location for the 1995 drama film, ''New Jersey Drive'', which is primarily based on Newark, New Jersey, Newark's automobile theft rate at the time, with the city being considered "the car theft capital of the world".

The 2016 film ''Paterson (film), Paterson'', directed by Jim Jarmusch, is set in Paterson and was largely filmed there. The movie is about a bus driver named Paterson who writes poetry in his free time.

Lou Costello often referred to his hometown of Paterson in his comedy routines with Bud Abbott. The plot of the June 28, 1945, episode of the Abbott & Costello radio show is about the City of Paterson inviting him back for "Lou Costello Day" to Ship naming and launching, launch a new garbage scow. Three Abbott and Costello films had their world premieres at the Fabian Theater in Paterson, which could accommodate a crowd of 3,000: ''One Night in the Tropics'' (1940), ''Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion'' and ''Jack and the Beanstalk (1952 film), Jack and the Beanstalk'' (1952). Costello was honored with a larger-than-life statue in Federici Park in 1992.

The Great Falls (Passaic River), Great Falls were featured in the first season of the HBO crime drama ''The Sopranos'', both in the The Sopranos (The Sopranos episode), pilot and in the episode ''Pax Soprana (The Sopranos episode), Pax Soprana'' as the place where Junior Soprano's friend's grandson committed suicide after taking poor designer drugs; as a favor, Junior Soprano had List of characters from The Sopranos#Mikey Palmice, Mikey Palmice and another individual toss the dealer, List of characters from The Sopranos in the DiMeo Crime Family#Rusty Irish, Rusty Irish, off the bridge over the falls. Other locations throughout the city were used in the series, as much of the show was shot on location in North Jersey.

The New Jersey-based band Suit of Lights pays tribute to Paterson in their song "Goodbye Silk City". The 1983 music video "Two Tribes" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood makes reference to Paterson in its opening sequence.

The first marketable revolver was produced in Paterson by Samuel Colt starting in 1836, and was known as the Colt Paterson.

The first steam-powered and first electric-powered model trains were both invented in Paterson. Eugene Beggs made the first steam-powered train in the city around 1871. Beggs' employee, Jehu Garlick, invented the first electric-powered model train that consisted of a tinplate toy locomotive with four aluminum wheels. A 2016 exhibit at the New Jersey State Museum titled "Toy World" highlighted the history of New Jersey's toy-making industry and prominently featured Paterson's contribution to the history of toys.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Paterson include: ( (B) denotes that the person was born in Paterson).

* Tom Acker (1930–2021), pitcher who played for four seasons with the Cincinnati Reds
* Jorge Acosta (born 1964), retired Colombian-born American soccer forward who earned 12 caps with the U.S. national team in 1991 and 1992
* Jimmie Adams (1888–1933), silent-screen comedian and actor
* Mike Adams (safety), Mike Adams (born 1981), pro football player for the Indianapolis Colts
* Adeva (born 1960), house music and R&B vocalist
* Charlie Adler (born 1956), animation voice actor and director
* Nelson Algren (1909–1981), author best known for his novel ''The Man with the Golden Arm (novel), The Man with the Golden Arm''
* Henry C. Allen (New Jersey politician), Henry C. Allen (1872–1942), politician who represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives 1905–1907
* Bruce Arians (born 1952), former head coach of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Jillian Armenante (born 1968), television and film actress, known for playing the role of Donna Kozlowski on ''Judging Amy'' (B)
* Gerald Ash (born 1942), electrical engineer at Bell Labs, whose research has focused on routing problems (B)
* Sisto Averno (1925–2012), guard and linebacker who played in the NFL for the original Baltimore Colts (1947–50), Baltimore Colts (1950), the New York Yanks (1951), Dallas Texans (NFL), Dallas Texans (1952) and the Indianapolis Colts#The NFL Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Colts (1953–1954)
* Vincent Baggetta (born 1944), actor best known for his title role in the 1978–79 television series, ''The Eddie Capra Mysteries''
* Samm Sinclair Baker (1909–1997), author/coauthor of many how-to and self-help books, most notably ''The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet'' which he coauthored with Dr. Herman Tarnower (B)
* Nathan Barnert (1838–1927), businessman and politician; twice elected as the Mayor of Paterson
* Lawrence Barrett (1838–1891), leading actor of the 19th century
* Charles K. Barton (1886–1958), politician; served in the New Jersey Senate 1943–1948 (B)
* Charles D. Beckwith (politician), Charles D. Beckwith (1838–1921), represented New Jersey's 5th congressional district 1889–1891; mayor of Paterson 1885–1889
* Candace Beinecke (born 1946/1947), Senior Partner of Hughes Hubbard & Reed, where in 1999 she became the first female head of a major New York firm.
* Alexander Berzin (scholar), Alexander Berzin (born 1944), Buddhist Scholar, translator and teacher focusing on the Tibetan tradition
* Jeffrey Bewkes (born 1952), CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board of Time Warner
* Jacob Bigeleisen (1919–2010), chemist who worked on the Manhattan Project on techniques to extract uranium-235 from uranium ore. (B)
* Chauncey Black (singer), Chauncey Black (born 1968), singer with the vocal group Blackstreet
* Glenn Borgmann (born 1950), former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox (B)
* Jennie Bosschieter (1882–1900), woman who was raped and murdered, as an early victim of the date rape drug chloral hydrate which caused her death
* Bill Braun, auto racer
* Pete Bremy (born 1952), rock bass player best known for his associations with Vanilla Fudge and Cactus (American band), Cactus (B)
* Gaetano Bresci (1869–1901), weaver and anarchist, assassinated Italian king Umberto I
* Johnny Briggs (baseball), Johnny Briggs (born 1944), former Major League Baseball player
* Mark Brown (linebacker born 1980), Mark Brown (born 1980), NFL linebacker who played for the New York Jets
* Edna Buchanan (born 1939), journalist and writer best known for her crime mystery novels
* Rubin Carter, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (1937–2014), boxer whose triple murder conviction was later overturned, subject of the Bob Dylan song "Hurricane (Bob Dylan song), Hurricane" and the movie ''The Hurricane (1999 movie), The Hurricane''
* Federico Castelluccio (born 1964), Italy, Italian-born actor, most known for portraying Furio Giunta on the Home Box Office, HBO series ''The Sopranos''
* Frank Catania (born 1941), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from the New Jersey's 35th legislative district, 35th Legislative District 1990–1994 (B)
* Ersilia Cavedagni (1862–?), Italian-American anarcha-feminist activist, writer, and editor
* Joe Louis Clark, Joe Clark (1938–2020), educator and former principal of Eastside High School (Paterson, New Jersey), Eastside High School, depicted by Morgan Freeman in the movie ''Lean on Me (film), Lean on Me''Janet Maslin, Maslin, Janet
"Movie Review: ''Lean on Me''"
''The New York Times'', March 3, 1989. Accessed January 24, 2012. "And Morgan Freeman manages it in ''Lean on Me,'' in which he plays Joe Clark, the controversial high-school principal from Paterson, N.J."
* Lou Costello (1906–1959), comedian, actor and producer and part of the comedy duo Abbott and Costello (B)
* Pat Costello (producer), Pat Costello (1902–1990), actor, Television producer, producer, stunt double and the brother of Lou Costello, who was the executive producer for ''The Abbott and Costello Show'' (B)
* Christos M. Cotsakos (born 1948), former CEO of E*TRADE (B)
* Ernestina Cravello (1880–1942), Italian Americans, Italian-American Anarcha-feminism, anarcha-feminist activist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
* Sunda Croonquist, comic and actress
* Victor Cruz (American football), Victor Cruz (born 1986), wide receiver for the NFL Super Bowl championship team, the New York Giants
* Joe Cunningham (baseball), Joe Cunningham (1931–2021), former MLB first baseman and outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators (1961–71), Washington Senators (B)
* Frank Davenport (1912–1995), politician; Sheriff of Passaic County and served one term in the New Jersey Senate (B)
* Anthony Davis (composer), Anthony Davis (born 1951), pianist and composer (B)
* Richard W. DeKorte (1936–1979), politician; member of the New Jersey General Assembly (B)
* Andrew Derrom (1817–1892), military officer, inventor, civil engineer, and industrialist
* Bob DeVos (born 1946), jazz guitarist (B)
* William L. Dill (1874–1952), jurist who served on the New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals; politician; Democratic nominee for Governor of New Jersey in 1928 and 1934
* Larry Doby (1923–2003), Baseball Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player and manager who broke the Baseball color line, color barrier in the American League
* Eric Downing (born 1978), NFL player
* Jacqueline Dubrovich (born 1994), Olympic Foil (fencing), foil Fencing, fencer (B)
* Lou Duva (1922–2017), boxing trainer, manager, and promoter, member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame
* Randy Edelman (born 1947), film and TV score composer (B)
* Barry Edelstein (born 1965), theatre director, author, and educator; Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California (B)
* W. Cary Edwards (1944–2010), politician; Attorney General of New Jersey 1986–1989 (B)
* Eddie Einhorn (1936–2016), television executive, part-owner of the Chicago White Sox
* Derrick Etienne (born 1996), professional soccer player for the New York Red Bulls
* William W. Evans Jr. (1921–1999), politician who served as Mayor of Wyckoff, New Jersey, Wyckoff and in the New Jersey General Assembly; candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 1968 (B)
* George Feifer (1934–2019), journalist, novelist, and historian, known for his autobiographical novels chronicling life in the Soviet Union. (B)
* Laurie Fendrich (born 1948), artist, writer and educator best known for her geometric abstract paintings (B)
* John A. Ferraro (1946–2010), actor, academic, stage director, and television director
* J. John Fox (–1999), judge known for his central role in the founding of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (B)
* Sidney Geist (1914–2005), artist who was known for his sculpture and his art criticism (B)
* Abe Gelbart (1911–1994), mathematician, founding dean of the Belfer Graduate School of Science at Yeshiva University, namesake of the International Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel
* Allen Ginsberg (1926–1997), writer and Beat Generation poet
* Teresa Giudice (born 1972), reality show participant on ''The Real Housewives of New Jersey''
* Abraham Godwin (soldier), Abraham Godwin (1724–1777), captain of Marines USS Lady Washington (1776), USS ''Lady Washington'' in 1776
* Abraham Godwin (1763–1835), member of the New Jersey General Assembly 1802–1806
* Abraham Godwin Jr. (1791–1849), member of the New Jersey General Assembly 1821–1832
* Parke Godwin (journalist), Parke Godwin (1816–1904), journalist (B)Stauffer, David McNeely
''American Engravers Upon Copper and Steel: Biographical sketches, illustrated. Index to engravings described with check-list numbers and names of engravers and artists''
p. 107. Grolier Club of the City of New York, 1907. Accessed September 6, 2017. "Godwin, Abraham – Born in what is now Paterson, N.J., July 16, 1763; died there Oct. 5, 1835; he was the son of Abraham Godwin and Phebe Cool.... He was the father of the late editor and author. Parke Godwin. who was born in Paterson, N.J., in 1816."
* Percy Goetschius (1853–1943), teacher of the theory of musical composition (B)
* Shotsie Gorman (born 1951), tattoo artist, painter, sculptor and poet. (B)
* Bill Haast (1910–2011), snake and venom specialist, director of Miami Serpentarium Laboratories (B)
* Thomas Hagan (born ), one of the men convicted for the assassination of Malcolm X
* Joseph Haj, actor, eighth artistic director of the Guthrie Theater
* Alexander Hamilton (1755/57–1804), first United States Secretary of the Treasury; helped found the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.) that helped establish Paterson around the Great Falls
* Keith Hamilton (American football), Keith Hamilton (born 1971), NFL defensive tackle who spent his entire 12-season career with the New York Giants
* Larry Hand (born 1940), defensive end and defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions 1965–1977 (B)
* The Happenings, pop music group created in the 1960s
* Gerald Hayes (born 1980), linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals
* Jon Herington (born 1954), guitarist, singer-songwriter, record producer, and session musician (B)
* Ureli Corelli Hill (1802–1875), music conductor and founder of the New York Symphony Orchestra
* Garret A. Hobart (1844–1899), Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, President of the New Jersey Senate and the 24th Vice President of the United States, serving under President William McKinley
* Kendall Holt (born 1981), light welterweight boxer who held the WBO junior welterweight championship 2008–09
* Michael Hossack (1946–2012), drummer, member of the Doobie Brothers
* Michael Jace (born 1962), actor who appeared in ''The Shield''
* Ameer Jackson (born 1994), American professional basketball player (B)
* Charlie Jamieson (1893–1969), Major League Baseball player
* Henry Janowitz (1915–2008), Professor Emeritus of Gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, known for his contributions into inflammatory bowel diseases (B)
* Morris Janowitz (1919–1988), sociologist and professor who made major contributions to sociological theory, the study of prejudice, urban issues and patriotism. (B)
* Charles Samuel Joelson (1916–1999), lawyer and politician who served on the Paterson City Council and as the Representative for New Jersey's 8th congressional district 1961–1969
* Jemal Johnson (born 1985), former professional soccer player, most known for his spell with English EFL League One, League One side Milton Keynes Dons F.C., MK Dons (B)
* Maxine Jones (born 1966), singer, member of En Vogue
* Ron Cephas Jones (born 1957), actor known for ''This is Us'', ''Mr. Robot'' and ''Across the Universe (film), Across The Universe''
* Just Blaze (born 1978), hip hop music producer
* Alfred E. Kahn (1917–2010), economist and deregulation advocate
* Carla A. Katz (born 1959), labor leader who served as president of Local 1034 of the Communications Workers of America 1999–2008
* Joseph Keller (1923–2016), mathematician who specialized in applied mathematics (B)
* King Kelly (1857–1894), Major League Baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
* Bernard Kerik (born 1955), former New York City Police Commissioner
* Joseph Kipley (1848–1904), Superintendent (police), Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department 1897–1901 (B)
* Gabriel Kolko (1932–2014), historian, author (B)
* Garret Kramer, author and performance coach (B)
* Vincent R. Kramer (1918–2001), United States Marine Corps Colonel (United States), colonel who was a guerrilla warfare expert and was awarded the Navy Cross during the Korean War. (B)
* Sue Ane Langdon (born 1936), actress (B)
* Frank Lautenberg (1924–2013), politician who represented New Jersey in the United States Senate (B)
* Jaynee LaVecchia (born 1954), Justice who has served on the New Jersey Supreme Court since 2000 (B)
* John L. Leal (1858–1914), physician and water utility sanitary adviser; responsible for the installation of the first drinking water chlorine disinfection system in the U.S.
* Walt Levinsky (1929–1999), big band and orchestral player, composer, arranger, and bandleader
* Son Lewis (born 1951), blues singer and guitarist (B)
* John LoCascio (born 1991), defenseman for the Rochester Rattlers in Major League Lacrosse
* Adrienne Mancia (1927–2022), curator best known for her work with the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
* Don Martin (cartoonist), Don Martin (1931–2000), cartoonist for ''Mad (magazine), Mad'' magazine
* Edward L. Masry (1932–2005), attorney whose firm was behind the case featured in ''Erin Brockovich (film), Erin Brockovich'' (B)
* Markis McDuffie (born 1997), professional basketball player for Napoli Basket of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A.
* Thomas McEwan Jr. (1854–1926), represented New Jersey's 7th congressional district from 1895–1899
* Edward McNamara (1884–1944), Broadway and Hollywood actor who was discovered while working as a police officer in Paterson (B)
* George Middleton (playwright), George Middleton (1880–1967), playwright (B)
* Susan Misner (born 1971), actress who has appeared on films and television, including roles in ''One Life to Live'', ''The Bronx Is Burning'', ''Rescue Me (U.S. TV series), Rescue Me'' and ''Chicago (2002 film), Chicago''
* Joe Mooney (musician), Joe Mooney (1911–1975), jazz and pop accordionist, organist, and vocalist, who went blind at the age of 10
* Paul H. Mussen (1922–2000), Developmental psychology, developmental psychologist who described stages of child psychological development. (B)
* Greg Olsen (American football), Greg Olsen (born 1985), tight end for the Carolina Panthers (B)
* Kenny Parker (born 1946), former American football defensive back who played in the NFL for the New York Giants. (B)
* Vincent N. Parrillo, professor of sociology at William Paterson University
* Simon Perchik (1923–2022), poet
* Joseph D. Pistone (born 1939), FBI agent and author who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family, as described in the film ''Donnie Brasco (film), Donnie Brasco''
* Robert Pitofsky (1929–2018), lawyer and politician who was the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission from 1995 to 2001. (B)
* Bucky Pizzarelli (1926–2020), jazz guitaristRipmaster, Terence
''Mel Bay presents Bucky Pizzarelli: a life in music''
p. 31. Mel Bay Publications, 1998. . Accessed March 13, 2012. "Even with his busy and successful career, Bucky never forgot his roots in Paterson. His sons, John and Martin, are still listed in Paterson's #248 American Federation of Musicians Directory."
* John Pizzarelli (born 1960), jazz guitarist and singer
* Martin Pizzarelli (born 1963), jazz double-bassist
* David Prater (1937–1988), of the soul duo Sam & Dave
* Amos H. Radcliffe (1870–1950), Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, 1916–1919; represented New Jersey's 7th congressional district 1919–1923
* Prince Randian (1871–1934), sideshow performer
* Zoogz Rift (1953–2011), musician, painter and professional wrestling personality (B)
* George Rochberg (1918–2005), classical composer (B)
* Frederick Reines (1918–1998), Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-discovered the neutrino
* Sarah-Nicole Robles (born 1991), actress and voice actress, best known for providing the voice of Luz Noceda in the Disney Channel animated series ''The Owl House''.
* Frankie Ruiz (1958–1998), salsa music singer (B)
* John Ryle (manufacturer), John Ryle (1817–1887), industrialist and capitalist; known as the "father of the United States silk industry", starting the first silk mill in 1839
* Mary Danforth Ryle (1833–1904), philanthropist who donated millions to various city institutions, notably the Danforth Memorial Library
* Kathryn Salfelder (born 1987), classical composer (B)
* Nicholas Samra (born 1944), eparch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Melkite Catholic Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton, Eparchy of Newton in the United States, elected in 2011 (B)
* Louis Scott (athlete), Louis Scott (1889–1954), gold medal winner at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm
* Omar Sheika (born 1977), former professional boxer and multiple time super middleweight world title challenger.
* Marcel Shipp (born 1978), running back for the Arizona Cardinals
* Rocco Silano (born 1962), magician and author
* Dave Sime (1936–2016), Olympic medal-winning Sprint (running), sprinter
* Jack Wilkinson Smith (1873–1949), painter. (B)
* John Spencer (actor), John Spencer (1946–2005), actor, best known for his role as Leo McGarry, the White House Chief of Staff on the television program, television drama ''The West Wing (TV series), The West Wing''
* John A. Spizziri (born 1934), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1972 to 1978 (B)
* Bill Stern (botanist), Bill Stern (1926 –2021), botanist (B)
* Lewis Atterbury Stimson (1844–1917), surgeon who was the first to perform a public operation in the United States using Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, Joseph Lister's antiseptic technique (B)
* J. Michael Straczynski (born 1954), science-fiction writer, creator and writer for ''Babylon 5'' (B)
* Jesse Talbot (1805–1879) Hudson River School painter, Associate Member of the National Academy of Design, and friend to Walt Whitman. Talbot lived in Paterson in the late 1840s and painted some of his major works there.
* Kazbek Tambi (born 1961), Seton Hall University women's soccer team head coach and retired U.S. soccer midfielder; member of the United States men's national soccer team, U.S. Olympic soccer team at the Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics, 1984 Summer Olympics; spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League (1968–84), North American Soccer League, four in the Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92), Major Indoor Soccer League and one in the American Soccer League (1988–1989), American Soccer League; former United States women's national under-17 soccer team, United States U-17 women's soccer team coach
* Albert Tangora (1903–1978), holder of the speed record for typing on a manual typewriter
* Joe Taub (1929–2017), businessman who joined his brother Henry Taub and Frank Lautenberg in building the payroll company Automatic Data Processing; later was part of an investment group that acquired the New Jersey Nets (B)
* Tim Thomas (basketball), Tim Thomas (born 1977), NBA basketball player
* Dante Tomaselli (born 1969), horror film screenwriter, director, and composer (B)
* Robert Torricelli (born 1951), politician, former representative of New Jersey in the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives (B)
* Sammy Turner (born 1950), singer who was popular in the late 1950s (B)
* Gregory Van Maanen (born 1937), artist
* Elizabeth Vargas (born 1962), American Broadcasting Company, ABC news anchor (B)
* Bruce Vilanch (born 1948), six-time Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, actor, and songwriter
* Floyd Vivino, "Uncle" Floyd Vivino (born 1951), comic, and star of ''Uncle Floyd Show'', the longest-running broadcast and cable TV show in New Jersey; appeared in film ''Good Morning, Vietnam''
* Jerry Vivino (born 1954), musician (B)
* Jimmy Vivino (born 1955), musician, guitarist, member of The Max Weinberg 7
* Fetty Wap (born 1991), rapper and singer
* Darryl Watkins (born 1984), professional basketball player who played collegiately at Syracuse University, Syracuse
* Patrick Warburton (born 1964), actor, best known for his roles in ''Seinfeld'' and ''Family Guy'' (B)
* Bernie Wayne (1919–1993), composer best known for "Blue Velvet (song), Blue Velvet"
* Joseph Weber (1919–2000), physicist who gave the earliest public lecture on the principles behind the laser and the maser and developed Weber bars, the first gravitational wave detectors (B)
* Carl Weinrich (1904–1991), classical organist known for his recitals and recordings of Baroque music, Baroque organ music (B)
* Wheeler & Woolsey, Bert Wheeler (1895–1968), of the comedy duo Wheeler & Woolsey
* Alice White (1904–1983), film actress
* K'Waun Williams (born 1991), cornerback who has played in the NFK for the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos
* William Carlos Williams (1883–1963), important modern 20th-century poet; author of the poem "Paterson (poem), Paterson"
* Jerry Zaks (born 1946), stage and television director and actor
* Giuseppe Zangara (1900–1933), assassin of Chicago mayor Anton Cermak, though President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt may have been his intended target
* Paul Zukerberg (born 1957), lawyer, activist and politician (B)Suderman, Alan
"The Weed Candidate"
''Washington City Paper'', March 6, 2013. Accessed August 6, 2014. "The son of a self-taught musician who was a big wheel on the bar mitzvah and Jewish wedding circuit in Paterson, N.J., Zukerberg moved to D.C. 30 years ago to go to law school at American University."

See also

* 1913 Paterson silk strike
* 1835 Paterson textile strike

References

External links

City of Paterson, New Jersey (official site)centercitypaterson.com
*[http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/paterson/ ''Working in Paterson: Occupational Heritage in an Urban Setting''] An ethnographic study from the Library of Congress. Oral history interviews and photographs from a study of working life in Paterson conducted in 1994. Accessed August 28, 2009.

{{Authority control

Paterson, New Jersey,
1851 establishments in New Jersey
Arab-American culture in New Jersey
Albanian-American history
Cities in Passaic County, New Jersey
County seats in New Jersey
Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zones
Populated places established in 1851
Populated places on the Underground Railroad
Hispanic and Latino American culture in New Jersey