Passaic County ( or ) is a county in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the county was the state's eighth-most-populous county,Table 1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022. with a population of 524,118, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 22,892 (+4.6%) from the 2010 census count of 501,226, which in turn reflected an increase of 12,177 (+2.5%) from the 489,049 counted in the 2000 census. The United States Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program estimated a 2025 population of 531,624, an increase of 7,506 (+1.4%) from the 2020 decennial census. The county is part of the North Jersey region of the state.Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.""Regions: North, Central, South, Shore - Best of NJ", Best of NJ, Accessed May 30, 2024. "Northern Jersey consists of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren County."

The most populous place in Passaic County is Paterson, the county seat, with 159,732 residents at the 2020 Census, more than 30% of the county's population, while West Milford covered , the largest total area of any municipality and more than 40% of the county's area.

History Etymology Passaic County was created on February 7, 1837, from portions of Bergen and Essex counties.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 209. Accessed December 2, 2012. The county derives its name from "Pasaeck", which is a native Lenape word meaning "valley".Ruttenber, E. M. "Indian Geographical Names", New York State Historical Association, 1906, via Fenimore Art Museum. Accessed October 3, 2022. "Passaic is a modern orthography of Pasaeck (Unami-Lenape), German notation, signifying 'Vale or valley.'"

Geography and climate In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Paterson have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1961 and a record high of was recorded in September 1953. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in September. The county has a humid continental climate which is hot-summer (Dfa) except in higher areas to the north where it is warm-summer (Dfb).

The landscape of Passaic County, near the north edge of New Jersey, 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 287 and Interstate 80, near Paterson. The Garden State Parkway cuts across the southern end, near Clifton. The Passaic River winds northeast past Totowa into Paterson, where the river then turns south to Passaic, on the way to Newark, further south.

The highest point is any one of six areas on Bearfort Ridge in West Milford at approximately above sea level.New Jersey County High Points, Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 5, 2013. The lowest elevation is approximately along the Passaic River in Clifton. The southeastern, more populous half of the county is either flat, along the Passaic and Pompton Rivers, or mildly hilly, among the Watchung Mountains. The northwestern section is rugged and mountainous, part of the New Jersey Highlands.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of , of which was land (93.8%) and was water (6.2%).2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 1, 2023.

Demographics The county hosts one of the largest population of Circassian Americans. Nart Hapatsha, of Circassian origin, became the first Muslim undersheriff of the county and swore an oath to the Quran.

2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had 524,118 people, 177,075 households, and 120,593 families. The population density was . There were 185,367 housing units at an average density of .

The racial makeup of the county was 43.8% White, 11.0% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.9% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 25.7% from some other race, and 12.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 42.7% of the population.

The median age was 37.9 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males age 18 and over.

There were 177,075 households in the county, of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.9% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 185,367 housing units, of which 4.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 51.0% were owner-occupied and 49.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.5%.

97.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 2.8% lived in rural areas.

The county's median household income was $77,040, and the median family income was $81,873. About 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Racial and ethnic composition +Passaic County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)320,505284,276251,687227,144203,54271.61%62.75%51.46%45.32%38.84%Black or African American alone (NH)57,20257,74660,52855,48051,85912.78%12.75%12.38%11.07%9.89%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)6597398027696880.15%0.16%0.16%0.15%0.13%Asian alone (NH)4,65511,20817,74724,55630,2091.04%2.47%3.63%4.90%5.76%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census945352xx0.02%0.01%0.01%Other race alone (NH)2,4419991,1851,3683,5140.55%0.22%0.24%0.27%0.67%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census10,5146,17910,224xx2.15%1.23%1.95%Hispanic or Latino (any race)62,12398,092146,492185,677224,03013.88%21.65%29.95%37.04%42.74%Total447,585453,060489,049501,226524,118 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 501,226 people, 166,785 households, and 120,919 families in the county. The population density was 2,715.3 per square mile (1,048.4/km2). There were 175,966 housing units at an average density of 953.3 per square mile (368.1/km2). The racial makeup was 62.65% (314,001) White, 12.83% (64,295) Black or African American, 0.67% (3,348) Native American, 5.01% (25,092) Asian, 0.03% (156) Pacific Islander, 15.11% (75,735) from other races, and 3.71% (18,599) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37.04% (185,677) of the population.

Of the 166,785 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18; 48.7% were married couples living together; 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.5% were non-families. Of all households, 22.6% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.45.

24.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 12% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.1 males.

Same-sex couples headed one in 149 households in 2010.Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed August 31, 2014.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States censusU.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014. there were 489,049 people, 163,856 households, and 119,614 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 170,048 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 62.32% White, 13.22% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 3.69% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 16.24% from other races, and 4.05% from two or more races. 29.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race., United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 23, 2013.Tables DP-1 to DP-4 from Census 2000 for Passaic County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 6, 2008. Accessed October 1, 2013. Among those who reported their ancestry, 16.6% were of Italian, 9.5% Irish, 8.1% German and 6.2% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000., United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 30, 2013.

There were 163,856 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 16.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.42.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,210, and the median income for a family was $56,054. Males had a median income of $38,740 versus $29,954 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,370. About 9.40% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 30, 2013.

Government County government