RANK #97 / 996 · POP 519,986 · NJ
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.9%
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, a significant landmark within Passaic County, showcases the area's industrial past and natural beauty. Located in northeastern New Jersey, Passaic County offers a blend of urban and scenic mountain communities, bordering New York State to the north. Commute times to New York City from towns like Little Falls and Clifton range from 45 to 55 minutes by NJ Transit rail, with major highways also providing access for drivers. The county features over 16,000 acres of open space, including parks, trails, and recreational facilities, with areas like Ramapo Mountain State Forest and Norvin Green State Forest offering extensive outdoor recreation opportunities.
Life in Passaic County offers diverse communities, with many residents owning their homes. The county's economy is supported by various sectors, including healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing. Immigrants play a role in the local economy, particularly in manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and construction. Recent economic development efforts include revitalization projects in cities like Paterson and Passaic, with investments aimed at commercial and residential improvements. The county also focuses on improving transportation options, including an on-demand microtransit program in Clifton and Passaic, to enhance connectivity for residents.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Passaic Eastside Transit-Oriented Development Strategy (Market Street improvements, mixed-use infill, new arena)
City of Passaic
|
$750M | Planned |
|
Sycamore Totowa Data Center
Sycamore
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Gas-Fired Power Plant
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
|
$232M | Under Construction |
|
Dundee Island Park Redevelopment & Pedestrian Rail Bridge Rehabilitation
Passaic County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Passaic County has a Boom Town Index score of 90/100, ranking #97 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $84,465, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Passaic County is $413,500 with median rent at $1,484/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2043, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +3.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.1% of Passaic County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.