Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

MyTownView

Paterson, NJ

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

158,735population

33.3median age

This community is a community of 158,735 with a median age of 33.3. The population is predominantly Hispanic/Latino (64.5%) with a significant Black community (22.1%). Median household income is $55,997. 74.2% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 11.8% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 26.9%, with a median home value of $360,100.

Race & Ethnicityi

Hispanic/Latino

64.5%102,436

Black

22.1%35,041

White

7.8%12,454

Asian

4.1%6,515

Two or More

0.8%1,295

Other

0.6%954

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%36

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%4

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2.7%2,674

High School Diploma

38%37,682

Some College (<1 yr)

4.6%4,535

Some College (1+ yr)

12%11,908

Associate's Degree

5.1%5,016

Bachelor's Degree

8.8%8,740

Master's Degree

2.3%2,230

Professional Degree

0.4%426

Doctorate

0.3%318

HS or Higher

74.2%

BA or Higher

11.8%

Graduate+

Housingi

$360,100median home value

$1,548median rent

26.9%homeownership

52,519total units

5.1%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 26.9%

Renter 73.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.1%687

$50K–$100K

1.3%172

$100K–$150K

4.4%587

$150K–$200K

5.5%737

$200K–$300K

17%2,286

$300K–$500K

51.9%6,963

$500K–$1M

13.4%1,804

$1M+

1.4%188

Rent Distribution

Under $500

3,094

$500–$750

1,287

$750–$1,000

2,055

$1,000–$1,250

4,620

$1,250–$1,500

5,447

$1,500–$2,000

13,031

$2,000+

5,994

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%363

2010–2019

6%3,160

2000–2009

4.9%2,591

1990–1999

4.9%2,562

1980–1989

6.7%3,540

1970–1979

7.2%3,770

1960–1969

10.4%5,460

1950–1959

14.2%7,452

1940–1949

12.3%6,463

1939 or earlier

32.7%17,158

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

81.6%40,691

Electricity

13.7%6,831

Bottled/LP Gas

1.7%853

Fuel Oil

1.6%777

No Fuel

1.3%624

Other

0.2%89

Household Economyi

$55,997median household income

$24,403per capita income

21.1%poverty rate

10.7%unemployment

76,294labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

8.2%4,064

$10K–$15K

6.9%3,464

$15K–$20K

4.2%2,112

$20K–$25K

5%2,477

$25K–$30K

4.6%2,291

$30K–$35K

3.7%1,830

$35K–$40K

4.4%2,218

$40K–$45K

4%1,982

$45K–$50K

4.5%2,251

$50K–$60K

6.7%3,352

$60K–$75K

9.2%4,595

$75K–$100K

13.2%6,582

$100K–$125K

8.2%4,096

$125K–$150K

5.2%2,592

$150K–$200K

6.4%3,184

$200K+

5.6%2,775

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

6,398

Residentsi

10,220

Avg. Tenant Renti

$466/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

31 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing737 homes74% occupied$406/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers1,274 homes87% occupied$493/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Mod Rehab39 homes81% occupied$151/mo rent

Rehabilitated buildings with project-based rental assistance

Project Based Section 81,670 homes96% occupied$483/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC80 homes99% occupied$446/mo rent

811/PRAC37 homes95% occupied$288/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $55,997/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $17K/yr

83.3%

Very low income$17K–$28K/yr

13.8%

Low income$28K–$45K/yr

2.9%

Who Receives This Housing

68.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

92.7% of subsidized households are minority

18.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

66% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

70,85144.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

3,703

Guatemala

1,032

Korea

154

India

117

Philippines

Poland

Germany

Canada

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

66,083

Avg. Commutei

22.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

67,993

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,635(1.4% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

80.5%Insured

19.5%Uninsured

Paterson, NJ Population, Income & Demographics 2026