View source for Passaic County, New Jersey

{{Short description|County in New Jersey, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Passaic County
| state              = New Jersey
| type               = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
| official_name      =
| ex image           = Geat Falls-2 - Passaic River at Patterson NJ.JPG
| ex image cap       = The [[Great Falls (Passaic River)|Great Falls]] of the [[Passaic River]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]]
| ex image size      = 300px
| flag               = Flag of Passaic County, New Jersey.gif
| seal               = Passaic Seal.jpg
| founded date       = February 7
| founded year       = 1837<ref name=Story/>
| seat               = [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]]<ref name=CountyMap>[http://www.nj.gov/state/archives/catctytable.html New Jersey County Map], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed July 10, 2017.</ref>
| largest city       = Paterson (population)<br />[[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]] (area)
| city type          = municipality
| named for          = "Pasaeck", a [[Lenape]] word meaning "valley"
| leader_title       = Commissioner Director
| leader_name        = Pat Lepore ([[New Jersey Democratic Party|D]], term ends December 31, 2025)
| area_total_sq_mi   = 198.39
| area_land_sq_mi    = 186.01
| area_water_sq_mi   =  12.38
| area percentage    =   6.2
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=CensusArea/>
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = 524118<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| population_est     =526597 {{increase}}
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/>
| population_density_sq_mi= auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| coordinates = {{coord|41.03|-74.30|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NJ_source:UScensus1990}}
| district = 5th
| district2 = 9th
| district3 = 11th
|flag size=122px |website={{URL|passaiccountynj.org}}|time zone=Eastern}}
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q495974|type=shape|text=Interactive map of Passaic County, New Jersey}}
[[Image:Bergen Passaic 1872.jpg|thumb|right|Bergen and Passaic counties, 1872]]

'''Passaic County''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ə|ˈ|s|eɪ|.|ᵻ|k}} {{respell|pə|SAY|ik}} or {{IPAc-en|local|p|ə|ˈ|s|eɪ|k}} {{respell|pə|SAYK}}) is a [[County (United States)|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 [[List of counties in New Jersey|eighth-most-populous]] county,<ref name=Largest2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_PL94_Summary/Table_1_2020.xlsx 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.</ref> with a population of 524,118,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest [[United States census|decennial count]] ever and an increase of 22,892 (+4.6%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 501,226,<ref name=Census2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 12,177 (+2.5%) from the 489,049 counted in the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref name=Census2020/> The county is part of the [[North Jersey]] region of the state.<ref>Willis, David P. [https://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2023/02/20/central-jersey-debate-ocean-union-county-nj/69914996007/ "'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."</ref><ref>[https://bestofnj.com/nj-regions-page/ "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."</ref>

The most populous place in Passaic County is [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]], the [[county seat]], with 159,732 residents at the 2020 Census, more than 30% of the county's population,<ref name=LWD2020/> while [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]] covered {{convert|80.32|sqmi}}, the largest total area of any municipality and more than 40% of the county's area.<ref name=CPH232/>

==History==
===Etymology===
Passaic County was created on February 7, 1837, from portions of [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen]] and [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex]] counties.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''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.</ref> The county derives its name from "Pasaeck", which is a native Lenape word meaning "valley".<ref>Ruttenber, E. M. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/42889915.pdf "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.'"</ref>

==Geography and climate==
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Paterson have ranged from a low of {{convert|19|F}} in January to a high of {{convert|86|F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-11|F}} was recorded in January 1961 and a record high of {{convert|105|F}} was recorded in September 1953. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.86|in}} in February to {{convert|4.78|in}} in September.<ref name="weather"/> 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 {{convert|30|xx|20 |mi|km|disp=x| wide (|)}}. The region is split by major roads, including portions of [[Interstate 287]] and [[Interstate 80 in New Jersey|Interstate 80]], near [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]]. The [[Garden State Parkway]] cuts across the southern end, near [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]]. The [[Passaic River]] winds northeast past [[Totowa, New Jersey|Totowa]] into Paterson, where the river then turns south to [[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]], on the way to [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], further south.

The highest point is any one of six areas on [[Bearfort Ridge]] in [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]] at approximately {{convert|1,480|ft}} above sea level.<ref>[http://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=13320 New Jersey County High Points], Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 5, 2013.</ref> The lowest elevation is approximately {{convert|20|ft}} along the [[Passaic River]] in [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]]. The southeastern, more populous half of the county is either flat, along the [[Passaic River|Passaic]] and [[Pompton River]]s, or mildly hilly, among the [[Watchung Mountains]]. The northwestern section is rugged and mountainous, part of the [[New Jersey Highlands]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of {{convert|198.39|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|186.01|sqmi}} was land (93.8%) and {{convert|12.38|sqmi}} was water (6.2%).<ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_34.txt 2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref>

{{climate chart
|[[Paterson, New Jersey]]
|19|38|3.5
|22|41|2.8
|30|50|4.1
|40|62|4.3
|50|72|4.2
|60|81|4.4
|65|86|4.5
|63|84|3.8
|55|76|4.7
|42|64|4.3
|34|54|4.0
|25|43|4.0
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">[http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0393 Monthly Averages for Paterson, New Jersey], [[The Weather Channel]]. Accessed October 13, 2012.</ref>}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 16734
|1850= 22569
|1860= 29013
|1870= 46416
|1880= 68860
|1890=105046
|1900=155202
|1910=215902
|1920=259174
|1930=302129
|1940=309353
|1950=337093
|1960=406618
|1970=460782
|1980=447585
|1990=453060
|2000=489049
|2010=501226
|2020=524118
| estyear=2024
| estimate=526597
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2024/counties/totals/co-est2024-pop-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024], [[United States Census Bureau]], released March 2025. Accessed March 26, 2025.</ref>
|footnote=Historical sources: 1790-1990<ref>Forstall, Richard L. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sezaSI_LPA8C&pg=PA108 ''Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 from the Twenty-one Decennial Censuses''], pp. 108-109. [[United States Census Bureau]], March 1996. {{ISBN|9780934213486}}. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref><br />1970-2010<ref name=CPH232>[https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf#page=32 ''New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts; 2010 Census of Population and Housing''], p. 6, CPH-2-32. [[United States Census Bureau]], August 2012. Accessed August 29, 2016.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000>[https://archive.today/20200212082605/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0500000US34031 DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000; Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Passaic County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref><br>2010<ref name=Census2010>[https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US34031 DP-1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010; 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Passaic County, New Jersey]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 13, 2013.</ref> 2000-2010<ref name=Census2010Press>[https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb11-cn15.html U.S. Census Bureau Delivers New Jersey's 2010 Census Population Totals], [[United States Census Bureau]], February 3, 2011. Accessed February 5, 2011.</ref><ref name=CPH232/> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/passaiccountynewjersey QuickFacts Passaic County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed March 26, 2025.</ref><ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Passaic County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - New Jersey- Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/new-jersey/1980a_njab-03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|pages=32/26–32/34}}</ref>
!Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - New Jersey: Table 4, Table 5, Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-32-1.pdf|access-date=|pages=22–97}}</ref>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Passaic County, New Jersey|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US34031&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Passaic County, New Jersey|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US34031&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Passaic County, New Jersey|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US34031&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 1980
!% 1990
!% 2000
!% 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|320,505
|284,276
|251,687
|227,144
|style='background: #ffffe6; |203,542
|71.61%
|62.75%
|51.46%
|45.32%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |38.84%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|57,202
|57,746
|60,528
|55,480
|style='background: #ffffe6; |51,859
|12.78%
|12.75%
|12.38%
|11.07%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9.89%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|659
|739
|802
|769
|style='background: #ffffe6; |688
|0.15%
|0.16%
|0.16%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.13%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|4,655
|11,208
|17,747
|24,556
|style='background: #ffffe6; |30,209
|1.04%
|2.47%
|3.63%
|4.90%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.76%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref>
|94
|53
|style='background: #ffffe6; |52
|x
|x
|0.02%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|2,441
|999
|1,185
|1,368
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,514
|0.55%
|0.22%
|0.24%
|0.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.67%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref>
|10,514
|6,179
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10,224
|x
|x
|2.15%
|1.23%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.95%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|62,123
|98,092
|146,492
|185,677
|style='background: #ffffe6; |224,030
|13.88%
|21.65%
|29.95%
|37.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |42.74%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''447,585'''
|'''453,060'''
|'''489,049'''
|'''501,226'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''524,118 '''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
 
As of the [[2020 United States census]], the county had 524,118 people, 168,059 households, and 120,593 families. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2817.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 185,367 housing units at an average density of {{convert|996.59|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The county's racial makeup was 38.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 9.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 5.76% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 1.95% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 42.74% of the population.<ref name=Census2020/>

Of the 168,059 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 30.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 15.2% had a male householder with no wife present and 28.2% were non-families. 47.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.49.<ref name=Census2020/>

About 23.7% of the county's population was under age 18, 9.6% was from age 18 to 24, 39.6% was from age 15 to 44, and 15.0% was age 65 or older. The median age was 37.7 years. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males.<ref name=Census2020/>

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.<ref name=Census2020/>

===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/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 175,966 housing units at an average density of 953.3 per square mile (368.1/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup was 62.65% (314,001) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 12.83% (64,295) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.67% (3,348) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 5.01% (25,092) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.03% (156) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 15.11% (75,735) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 3.71% (18,599) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 37.04% (185,677) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

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.<ref name=Census2010/>

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.<ref name=Census2010/>

[[Domestic partnership|Same-sex couples]] headed one in 149 households in 2010.<ref>Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130203212228/http://www.northjersey.com/news/127675238_NORTH_JERSEY_SEES_30__GROWTH_IN_SAME-SEX_COUPLES___Census_shows_shift_in_suburbs.html "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', August 14, 2011, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of February 3, 2013. Accessed August 31, 2014.</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref> there were 489,049 people, 163,856 households, and 119,614 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|2,639|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 170,048 housing units at an average density of {{convert|918|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the county was 62.32% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 13.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.44% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 3.69% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 16.24% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.05% from two or more races. 29.95% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref name=Census2000>[https://archive.today/20200212082605/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0500000US34031 DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000; Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Passaic County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 23, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000DP1to4>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080706205336/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/05034031.pdf 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.</ref> Among those who reported their ancestry, 16.6% were of [[Italian people|Italian]], 9.5% [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.1% [[German people|German]] and 6.2% [[Polish people|Polish]] ancestry according to Census 2000.<ref name=Census2000DP1to4/><ref>[https://archive.today/20200212095041/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF3/DP2/0500000US34031 DP-2 - Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000 from the Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data for Passaic County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 30, 2013.</ref>

There were 163,856 households, out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were [[Marriage|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.<ref name=Census2000/>

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.<ref name=Census2000/>

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.<ref name=Census2000DP1to4/><ref>[https://archive.today/20200212095542/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF3/DP3/0500000US34031 DP-3 - Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000 from Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data for Passaic County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 30, 2013.</ref>

==Government ==
===County government===
[[File:City of Paterson, NJ from Garret Mountain.JPG|thumb|The [[Passaic County Court House|Passaic County Court House and Administration Building]] complex (center) is located in [[Downtown Paterson]].]]
The [[Passaic County Court House|Passaic County Court House and Administration Building]] complex is located at the [[county seat]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141018171654/http://www.emporis.com/complex/passaic-county-courthouse-administrative-building-complex-paterson-nj-usa Passaic County Courthouse/Administration Complex ]}}, [[Emporis]]. Accessed July 9, 2015.</ref> In Passaic County's commission form of government, the [[Board of County Commissioners (New Jersey)|Board of County Commissioners]] discharges both executive and legislative responsibilities. Seven Commissioners are elected at-large for three-year terms on a staggered basis. A Director and Deputy Director are elected from among the seven Commissioners, at an annual reorganization meeting in January.<ref name=PassaicCommissioners/> Passaic County operates through six standing committees of the Board of County Commissioners. They are: Administration & Finance; Health, Education and Community Affairs; Public Works and Buildings & Grounds; Law & Public Safety; Human Services and Planning and Economic Development. The Commissioners also appoint individuals to departments, agencies, boards, and commissions for the effective administration of the county government. In 2016, commissioners were paid $28,500, and the director was paid an annual salary of $29,500.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/how_much_your_county_freeholders_others_in_nj_earn.html "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?"], [[NJ.com]], March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder director: $29,500; Other freeholders: $28,500"</ref> The Commissioners select a County Administrator, who, in the role of chief administrative officer, supervises the day-to-day operation of the county government and its departments; County counsel Matthew Jordan took office as administrator in 2022, succeeding Anthony J. DeNova III, who had served as administrator for 19 years.<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/departments/administration Administration], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/anthony-tony-denova-says-goodbye-as-head-of-passaic-county-government/ar-AA15ON8d "Anthony 'Tony' DeNova Says Goodbye as Head of Passaic County Government"], [[MSN.com]], December 20, 2022. Accessed April 13, 2023. "Passaic County Business Administrator Anthony 'Tony' DeNova was 'clapped out' on Friday as he ended his 19-year tenure at the head of Passaic County's government. Earlier this month, DeNova announced that he would be stepping down at the end of the year and will be replaced by County Counsel Matthew Jordan."</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, Passaic County's Commissioners are (with terms for Chair and Vice-Chair ending every December 31):<ref name=PassaicCommissioners>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners 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)."</ref><ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/home/showpublisheddocument/5034/637822548988000587 2022 County Data Sheet], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref><ref name=PassaicDirectory>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/home/showpublisheddocument/1938/637667926512370000#page=9 ''Passaic County 2021 Directory''], Passaic County, New Jersey, updated as of April 2021. Accessed April 29, 2022.</ref><ref name=Passaic2021>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Passaic/111517/web.278093/#/summary 2021 General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results], Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Passaic2020>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3378/637678115691870000 November 3, 2020 Summary Report Official Results], Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref><ref name=Passaic2019>[http://www.passaiccountynj.org/Election%20Results/2019/General/Summary%20Report%20111819_1230.pdf 2019 General Election November 5, 2019 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031161827/https://www.passaiccountynj.org/Election%20Results/2019/General/Summary%20Report%20111819_1230.pdf |date=October 31, 2020 }}, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Commissioner 
! Party, Residence, Term End 
|-
| Director John W. Bartlett 
| D, [[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]], 2027<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/john-w-bartlett-esq John W. Bartlett Esq.], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Deputy Director Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara 
| D, [[Little Falls, New Jersey|Little Falls]], 2027<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/cassandra-sandi-lazzara Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Orlando Cruz 
| D, [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]], 2026<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/orlando-cruz Orlando Cruz], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed April 9, 2023.</ref>
|-
| Terry Duffy 
| D, [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]], 2025<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/terry-duffy Terry Duffy], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Rodney DeVore
| D, Paterson, 2027<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/nicolino-gallo Nicolino Gallo], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Bruce James 
| D, [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]], 2026<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/bruce-james Bruce James], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Pasquale "Pat" Lepore 
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]], [[Woodland Park, New Jersey|Woodland Park]], 2025<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-board-of-county-commissioners/pasquale-pat-lepore Pasquale "Pat" Lepore], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|}

Republicans have not won countywide office since 2021. Nicolino Gallo's 2021 third-place finish for the three Board seats at stake then represents the first time any Republicans have been in the county government since now-State Senator Kristin Corrado left her position as County Clerk to win that seat in 2017, as well as the first time the Board has had any Republican members at all since 2012, when then-Freeholders Deborah E. Ciambrone, Michael Marrotta, and Edward O'Connell were defeated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wildstein |first=David |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Passaic freeholders face challenge at Dem screening committee |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/passaic-freeholders-face-challenge-at-dem-screening-committee/ |access-date=April 13, 2023 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2023, the commission swore Orlando Cruz, the president of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce (as well as its counterpart in neighboring Wayne), into office to replace retiring commissioner T.J. Best, who resigned at the beginning of the month to spend time with family members down in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passaic County commissioner resigns to spend more time with his children |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/2023/02/15/passaic-county-nj-commissioner-tj-best-resign-term/69906435007/ |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Orlando Cruz Sworn-In as New Passaic County Commissioner |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/paterson/sections/passaic-county-news/articles/orlando-cruz-sworn-in-as-new-passaic-county-commissioner |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=TAPinto |language=en}}</ref>

Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis, are:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! County Office 
! Party, Residence, Term End 
|-
| County Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof 
| D, [[Hawthorne, New Jersey|Hawthorne]], 2028<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-clerk County Clerk], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref><ref>[http://coanj.com/member-list/clerks/ Clerks], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Sheriff Thomas Adamo
| D, Wayne, 2027<ref>[https://www.pcsheriff.org/office_of_the_sheriff/sheriff_richard_h_berdnik.php Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik], Passaic County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/sheriffs/ Sheriffs], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|-
| Surrogate Zoila S. Cassanova 
| D, Wayne, 2026<ref>[https://www.passaiccountynj.org/government/passaic-county-surrogate/our-surrogate Our Surrogate], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://coanj.com/member-list/surrogates/ Surrogates], Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 21, 2022.</ref>
|}

The Passaic County Prosecutor is Camelia M. Valdes of [[Bloomingdale, New Jersey|Bloomingdale]], who was appointed by Governor of New Jersey [[Jon S. Corzine]] in May 2009, and renominated by Governor [[Chris Christie]] in June 2015.<ref>[https://www.pcponj.org/administration/prosecutor_br_camelia_m._valdes.php Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 18, 2019.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552015/approved/20150614b.html "Governor Chris Christie Files Nominations"], [[Governor of New Jersey]] [[Chris Christie]], press release dated June 15, 2015. Accessed October 29, 2017. "PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR - Nominate for reappointment Camelia M. Valdes (Bloomingdale, Passaic))"</ref> Passaic County constitutes Vicinage 11 of the [[New Jersey Superior Court]] and is seated at the Passaic County Court House in Paterson; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 11 is Ernest M. Caposela.<ref>[https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/courts/vicinages/passaic.html Passaic Vicinage], New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref> Law enforcement at the county level is provided by the Passaic County Sheriff's Office and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, which occasionally assist local police forces with investigations and patrol efforts.

===Federal representatives ===
Three [[New Jersey's congressional districts|Congressional District]]s cover the county, with most of the northern portion of the county in the 5th District, most of the southern portion of the county in the 9th District, and the central portion of the county in the 11th District.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/leg-cong-district-info/2012-congressional-districts-by-county.pdf 2012 Congressional Districts by County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2011. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref> {{NJ Congress 05}} {{NJ Congress 09}} {{NJ Congress 11}}

=== State representatives ===
The 16 municipalities of Passaic County are represented by seven separate legislative districts.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!District
!Senator<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=New Jersey Legislative Roster of Members {{!}} NJ Legislature|url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us//legislative-roster|access-date=January 12, 2022|website=New Jersey Legislature}}</ref>
!Assembly<ref name=":0" />
!Municipalities 
|-
|[[New Jersey's 25th legislative district|25th]]
|[[Anthony M. Bucco]] [[Republican Party (United States)|(R)]]
|[[Christian Barranco]] (R)
[[Aura Dunn]] (R)
|[[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]]. 
|-
|[[New Jersey's 26th legislative district|26th]]
|[[Joseph Pennacchio]] [[Republican Party (United States)|(R)]]
|[[Brian Bergen]] (R)
[[Jay Webber]] (R)
|[[Bloomingdale, New Jersey|Bloomingdale]], [[Pompton Lakes, New Jersey|Pompton Lakes]], [[Ringwood, New Jersey|Ringwood]], and [[Wanaque, New Jersey|Wanaque]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]]. 
|-
|[[New Jersey's 27th legislative district|27th]]
|[[John F. McKeon]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|(D)]]
|[[Rosaura Bagoile]] (D)
[[Alixon Collazos-Gill]] (D)
|[[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]].
|-
|[[New Jersey's 35th legislative district|35th]]
|[[Benjie E. Wimberly]] (D)
|[[Shavonda E. Sumter]] (D)
[[Al Abdelaziz]] (D)
|[[Haledon, New Jersey|Haledon]], [[North Haledon, New Jersey|North Haledon]], [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]], and [[Prospect Park, New Jersey|Prospect Park]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen County]].
|-
|[[New Jersey's 36th legislative district|36th]]
|[[Paul Sarlo]] (D)
|[[Gary Schaer]] (D)
[[Clinton Calabrese]] (D)
|[[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]]. The remainder of this district covers portions of [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen County]].
|-
|[[New Jersey's 40th legislative district|40th]]
|[[Kristin Corrado]] (R)
|[[Al Barlas]] (R)
[[Christopher DePhillips]] (R)
|[[Hawthorne, New Jersey|Hawthorne]], [[Little Falls, New Jersey|Little Falls]], [[Totowa, New Jersey|Totowa]], [[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]], and [[Woodland Park, New Jersey|Woodland Park]]. The remainder of this district includes portions of [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen]] and [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex]] counties.
|}

{{NJhighlands|The northwestern area of the county, comprising the municipalities of [[Bloomingdale, New Jersey|Bloomingdale]], [[Pompton Lakes, New Jersey|Pompton Lakes]], [[Ringwood, New Jersey|Ringwood]], [[Wanaque, New Jersey|Wanaque]] and [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]],|preservation=some}}

===Law enforcement===
The Passaic County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement functions throughout the entirety of the county, plus unincorporated county area police patrol, detective, crime scene investigation, SWAT, K-9 function, operation of the Passaic County Jail, and the security of all county-owned facilities, including the Passaic County Court House and Administration Building. All of the incorporated municipalities within the county also have separate local police departments, almost always exclusively providing law enforcement operations within their physical boundaries.

In January 2024, Sheriff Richard Berdnik committed suicide inside a Turkish restaurant.<ref>Malinconico, Joe; Balcerzak, Ashley; and Fagan, Matt. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/passaic/paterson/2024/01/23/richard-berdnik-passaic-county-nj-sheriff-fatally-shoots-himself-restaurant/72328475007/ "Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shoots himself inside Clifton restaurant"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', January 23, 2024. Accessed January 24, 2024. "Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, a longtime law enforcement officer with deep ties to North Jersey, fatally shot himself Tuesday afternoon at a well-known Turkish restaurant in Clifton, multiple sources said."</ref>

==Transportation==
===Public transportation===
Passaic County has a number of [[NJ Transit]] stations, including [[Montclair State University station|Montclair State University]], [[Little Falls station|Little Falls]], [[Wayne Route 23 Transit Center|Wayne/Route 23]], and [[Mountain View station (NJ Transit)|Mountain View]] on the [[Montclair-Boonton Line]]. The “[[Main Line (NJ Transit)|Main Line]]” corridor also runs through the county and includes the following stations: [[Hawthorne station (NJ Transit)|Hawthorne]], [[Paterson station|Paterson]], [[Clifton station (NJ Transit)|Clifton]], [[Passaic station (NJ Transit)|Passaic]], and [[Delawanna station|Delawanna]].

===Roads and highways===
Passaic County has numerous important roads that travel within its borders:<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/passaic.pdf Passaic County Highway Map], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed December 12, 2022.</ref>

Major county roads that pass through include: [[County Route 502 (New Jersey)|CR 502]] (only in [[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]]), [[County Route 504 (New Jersey)|CR 504]], [[County Route 509 (New Jersey)|CR 509]] [[County Route 511 (New Jersey)|CR 511]] and [[County Route 513 (New Jersey)|CR 513]].

[[New Jersey Route 19|Route 19]] runs entirely through the county, connecting the Garden State Parkway with Interstate 80 and Paterson. Both [[New Jersey Route 20|Route 20]] and [[New Jersey Route 21|Route 21]] run along the eastern border alongside the [[Passaic River]]. [[New Jersey Route 23|Route 23]] runs through the western section of the county, while both [[New Jersey Route 3|Route 3]] and [[New Jersey Route 161|Route 161]] go through [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]]. [[New Jersey Route 62|Route 62]] also runs passes through entirely in [[Totowa, New Jersey|Totowa]]. [[U.S. Route 202 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 202]] runs roughly north–south only in Wayne Township while [[U.S. Route 46]] traverses east–west.

[[Interstate 80 in New Jersey|Interstate 80 (Bergen-Passaic Expressway)]] runs east–west through the county, while [[Interstate 287]] passes through the mountainous sections of Passaic. The [[Garden State Parkway]] also runs through the county solely in Clifton.

== Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Passaic County, New Jersey|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=June 10, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|15,437|9,280|1,530|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|15,619|12,892|973|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|17,705|11,532|2,150|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|17,638|11,960|1,918|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|5,349|10,810|14,372|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|18,754|13,340|1,810|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|42,692|11,873|4,660|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|43,384|11,644|14,571|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|57,708|47,167|959|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|49,218|54,576|5,610|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|49,046|71,384|1,760|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|65,523|69,880|504|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|67,856|68,737|589|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|59,675|60,147|10,608|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|89,083|70,727|4,380|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|101,182|61,859|3,635|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|80,853|90,950|7,599|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|63,114|113,919|2,666|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|79,862|74,442|18,353|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|108,511|62,302|4,110|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|85,102|76,194|4,930|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|82,531|61,486|14,934|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|101,951|69,590|3,399|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|88,070|66,254|3,189|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|71,147|70,030|23,711|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|53,594|85,879|13,478|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|61,043|90,324|5,206|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|75,200|94,962|1,149|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|72,552|113,257|1,904|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|64,523|115,926|1,765|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|72,902|116,759|6,567|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|92,009|129,097|3,224|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|100,954|95,156|7,243|New Jersey}}
{{PresFoot}}

Passaic County was historically a [[swing county]], as it voted for the national winner all but twice (in 1976 and 1992) between 1920 and 1992. Since 1996, the county has leaned Democratic until recently, as Republicans have made significant gains in the country, especially in the more urban parts. In the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], Democratic support declined to 59.5%, although nominee [[Hillary Clinton]] still won the county comfortably overall, and the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]] saw Democratic support decline to 57.5% - a margin of 16.5% for former [[Joe Biden|Vice President Joe Biden]] over [[Donald Trump|Republican President Donald Trump]], which was a slightly wider margin than the state as a whole. Passaic County's namesake municipality, the small city of Passaic, saw the biggest overall drop for Biden compared to Clinton among its municipalities, which helped Trump narrow the gap in the county overall in 2020 compared to 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Presidential Election Results - Passaic County |url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-passaic.pdf}}</ref> This outcome was in correspondence with the rightward trend of the county in recent years, which was also seen in the [[2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2021 gubernatorial election]]. Democratic governor [[Phil Murphy]] won the county by just a 4% margin, while winning statewide by 3.2%. This was far below his 22% margin in [[2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2017]], when he won statewide by 14%.

In the [[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024 presidential election]], Donald Trump flipped the county Republican, and most notably, its cities of [[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]] and [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]]. The county voted to the right of the state, which voted for Democratic nominee [[Kamala Harris]] by 6%. Trump became the first Republican to win a presidential election in the county since [[George H. W. Bush|George H.W. Bush]] in the [[1992 United States presidential election in New Jersey|1992 presidential election]]. Democrat [[Andy Kim]] won the county by just 3% in the concurrent [[2024 United States Senate election in New Jersey|2024 U.S. Senate election in New Jersey]], even as he won statewide by 10%. 

However, Passaic County flipped blue in the [[2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2025 gubernatorial election]], where [[Mikie Sherrill|Mikie Sherrill]] won the county by 16% over [[Jack Ciattarelli|Jack Ciattarelli]], voting to the left of the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Jersey Governor |website=VoteHub |date=2025-11-03 |url=https://votehub.com/nj-gov-2025 |access-date=2025-11-03}}</ref>

As of August 1, 2020, there were a total of 318,029 registered voters in Passaic County, of which 128,114 (40.3%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 64,389 (20.3%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 120,282 (37.8%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 5,244 (1.7%) voters registered to other parties.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NJ Voter Registration by County|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/svrs-reports/2020/2020-08-voter-registration-by-county.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920183502/https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/svrs-reports/2020/2020-08-voter-registration-by-county.pdf |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |url-status=live|website=NJ DOS - NJ Division of Elections}}</ref> Among the county's 2010 Census population, 53.2% were registered to vote, including 70.8% of those ages 18 and over.<ref name="VoterRegistration">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-passaic-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Passaic], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 13, 2013.</ref><ref>[https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 13, 2013.</ref>

{{U.S. SenHead|place=Passaic County, New Jersey|Seat=1|source=<ref name="Leip">{{cite web|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=36&f=0&off=99|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections – Sate Data|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Democratic|86,654|91,719|7,857|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. SenRow|2018|Democratic|58,382|86,242|4,700|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. SenRow|2012|Democratic|54,149|105,286|2,780|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Passaic County, New Jersey|Seat=2|source=<ref name="Leip" />}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2020|Democratic|80,827|131,195|6,736|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. SenRow|2014|Democratic|32,612|52,533|1,508|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. SenRow|2013|Democratic|25,263|37,378|744|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}
{{clear}}

===State elections===
{{U.S. GovHead|place=Passaic County, New Jersey|source=<ref name="Leip">{{cite web|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=36&f=0&off=99|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections – Sate Data|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. GovRow|Year|Winning party|Dem vote #|Gop vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. GovRow|2025|Democratic|61,966|86,053|1,081|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|2021|Democratic|53,551|57,812|961|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|2017|Democratic|36,230|57,415|1,810|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|2013|Republican|53,858|46,825|1,140|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|2009|Democratic|48,500|57,010|981|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|2005|Democratic|41,532|61,803|3,413|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|2001|Democratic|43,806|62,390|1,238|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1997|Democratic|55,541|60,256|6,966|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1993|Republican|65,220|55,086|3,083|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1989|Democratic|55,541|60,256|2,271|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1985|Republican|70,896|29,263|1,429|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1981|Republican|62,273|58,573|2,271|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1977|Republican|57,545|49,223|3,193|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1973|Democratic|44,844|71,673|2,102|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1969|Republican|81,079|61,816|4,320|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1965|Democratic|55,998|78,193|2,581|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovRow|1961|Democratic|61,176|72,175|1,221|New Jersey}}
{{U.S. GovFoot}}

== Municipalities ==
The 16 municipalities in Passaic County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area in square miles) are:<ref>[https://archive.today/20150420050648/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34031 GCT-PH1: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Passaic County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 19, 2014.</ref> Other, [[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|unincorporated communities]] in the county are listed next to their parent municipality. Most of these areas are [[census-designated place]]s (CDPs) that have been created by the [[United States Census Bureau]] for enumeration purposes within a [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]. Other communities and enclaves that exist within a municipality are also listed next to the name.

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{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Municipality
! Mun.<br />type
! Pop.
! Housing<br />units
! Total<br />area
! Water<br />area
! Land<br />Area
! Pop.<br />density
! Housing<br />density
! School district
! Unincorporated<br />communities / notes
|-
|[[Bloomingdale, New Jersey|Bloomingdale]] || borough || 7,777 || 3,089 || 9.17 || 0.45 || 8.71 || 878.6 || 354.5 || [[Butler Public Schools|Butler]] (9–12) ([[Sending/receiving relationship|S/R]])<br />[[Bloomingdale School District|Bloomingdale]] (K–8) ||
|-
|[[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]] || city || 90,296 || 31,946 || 11.40 || 0.14 || 11.26 || 7,472.0 || 2,837.1 || [[Clifton Public Schools|Clifton]] ||
|-
|[[Haledon, New Jersey|Haledon]] || borough || 9,052 || 2,932 || 1.16 || 0.00 || 1.15 || 7,203.9 || 2,539.3 || [[Manchester Regional High School|Manchester]] (9–12)<br />[[Haledon School District|Haledon]] (PK–8) ||
|-
|[[Hawthorne, New Jersey|Hawthorne]] || borough || 19,637 || 7,756 || 3.36 || 0.03 || 3.33 || 5,635.3 || 2,326.0 || [[Hawthorne Public Schools|Hawthorne]] ||
|-
|[[Little Falls, New Jersey|Little Falls]] || township || 13,360 || 4,925 || 2.81 || 0.07 || 2.74 || 5,276.2 || 1,800.5 || [[Passaic Valley Regional High School|Passaic Valley]] (9–12)<br />[[Little Falls Township Public Schools|Little Falls]] (K–8) || [[Great Notch, New Jersey|Great Notch]] CDP (3,289)<br />[[Singac, New Jersey|Singac]] CDP (3,602)
|-
|[[North Haledon, New Jersey|North Haledon]] || borough || 8,927 || 3,213 || 3.50 || 0.04 || 3.45 || 2,436.8 || 930.2 || [[Manchester Regional High School|Manchester]] (9–12)<br />[[North Haledon School District|North Haledon]] (PK–8) ||
|-
|[[Passaic, New Jersey|Passaic]] || city || 70,537 || 20,432 || 3.24 || 0.10 || 3.15 || 22,179.6 || 6,494.2 || [[Passaic City School District|Passaic]] ||
|-
|[[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] || city || 159,732 || 47,946 || 8.70 || 0.28 || 8.43 || 18,948.0 || 5,688.7 || [[Paterson Public Schools|Paterson]] ||
|-
|[[Pompton Lakes, New Jersey|Pompton Lakes]] || borough || 11,127 || 4,341 || 3.19 || 0.28 || 2.91 || 3,809.1 || 1,490.1 || [[Pompton Lakes School District|Pompton Lakes]] ||
|-
|[[Prospect Park, New Jersey|Prospect Park]] || borough || 6,372 || 1,931 || 0.48 || 0.00 || 0.48 || 12,347.2 || 4,065.2 || [[Manchester Regional High School|Manchester]] (9–12)<br />[[Prospect Park School District|Prospect Park]] (PK–8) ||
|-
|[[Ringwood, New Jersey|Ringwood]] || borough || 11,735 || 4,331 || 28.17 || 2.96 || 25.21 || 485.0 || 171.8 || [[Lakeland Regional High School|Lakeland]] (9–12)<br />[[Ringwood Public School District|Ringwood]] (K–8) ||
|-
|[[Totowa, New Jersey|Totowa]] || borough || 11,065 || 3,918 || 4.07 || 0.07 || 3.99 || 2,704.9 || 980.9 || [[Passaic Valley Regional High School|Passaic Valley]] (9–12)<br />[[Totowa Borough Public Schools|Totowa]] (PK–8) ||
|-
|[[Wanaque, New Jersey|Wanaque]] || borough || 11,317 || 4,184 || 9.25 || 1.26 || 7.99 || 1,391.2 || 523.7 || [[Lakeland Regional High School|Lakeland]] (9–12)<br />[[Wanaque Borough Schools|Wanaque]] (PK–8) || [[Haskell, New Jersey|Haskell]]
|-
|[[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]] || township || 54,838 || 19,768 || 25.17 || 1.45 || 23.73 || 2,306.0 || 833.1 || [[Wayne Public Schools|Wayne]] || [[Packanack Lake, New Jersey|Packanack Lake]] CDP (6,261)<br />[[Pines Lake, New Jersey|Pines Lake]] CDP (3,033)<br />[[Preakness, New Jersey|Preakness]] CDP (18,487)<br>[[William Paterson University|William Paterson University of New Jersey]] CDP (1,417)
|-
|[[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]] || township || 24,862 || 10,419 || 80.32 || 5.23 || 75.09 || 344.3 || 138.8 || [[West Milford Township Public Schools|West Milford]] || [[Cooper, Passaic County, New Jersey|Cooper]]<br />[[Hewitt, New Jersey|Hewitt]] CDP (1,912)<br />[[Macopin, New Jersey|Macopin]] CDP (2,199)<br />[[Newfoundland, New Jersey|Newfoundland]] CDP (part; 1,145)<br />[[Oak Ridge, New Jersey|Oak Ridge]] CDP (part; 10,996)<br>[[Upper Greenwood Lake, New Jersey|Upper Greenwood Lake]] CDP (part; 3,687)
|-
|[[Woodland Park, New Jersey|Woodland Park]] || borough || 13,484 || 4,835 || 3.11 || 0.15 || 2.96 || 3,987.9 || 1,631.4 || [[Passaic Valley Regional High School|Passaic Valley]] (9–12)<br />[[Woodland Park School District (New Jersey)|Woodland Park]] (K–8) || (formerly West<br />Paterson)
|-
|Passaic County || county || 524,118 || 175,966 || 197.11 || 12.51 || 184.59 || 2,715.3 || 953.3 ||
|}

===Historic municipalities===
* West Paterson Borough (renamed [[Woodland Park, New Jersey|Woodland Park]] in 2009)

=== Other communities ===
* [[Montclair State University]] CDP (part; 2,180)

==Economy==
The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] calculated that the county's [[gross domestic product]] was $20.5&nbsp;billion in 2021, which was ranked 13th in the state and was a 4.8% increase from the prior year.<ref>[https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/lagdp1222.pdf Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021], [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]], released December 8, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref>

===Corporation headquarters in Passaic County===

*[[Toys "R" Us]]' former US [[corporate headquarters]]<ref>[http://www.toysrusinc.com/about-us/ About Toys "R" Us, Inc.], [[Toys "R" Us]], Inc. Accessed August 22, 2014. "Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys"R"Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 employees worldwide."</ref> was in Wayne.
*[[Valley National Bank]]'s [[corporate headquarters]] is in Wayne.<ref>[https://www.valleynationalbank.com/About/Company.aspx Company Information], [[Valley National Bank]]. Accessed August 22, 2014. "Valley National Bancorp is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey with $16 billion in assets."</ref>
*[[Linens ‘n Things]]'s headquarters office was in Clifton and employed 17,500 before closing in 2009.
*[[JVC]] has their US office in Wayne and employ approximately 19,040.<ref>http://www.jvc.com › Company</ref>

==Education==
*[[Passaic County Community College]], founded in 1971, serves students from Passaic County at campuses in [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]], [[Wanaque, New Jersey|Wanaque]] and [[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]].<ref>[http://www.pccc.edu/about-pccc/presidents-message President's Message], [[Passaic County Community College]]. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref>
*[[William Paterson University]], established in 1855, is a public university located in Wayne.<ref>[http://www.wpunj.edu/university/universityfacts/ University Facts], [[William Paterson University]]. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref>
*[[Montclair State University]], founded in 1908, is a public university located in [[Montclair, New Jersey|Montclair]], as well as portions of [[Little Falls, New Jersey|Little Falls]] and [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]].<ref>[http://www.montclair.edu/about-montclair/at-a-glance/ At a Glance], [[Montclair State University]]. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref>
* [[Passaic County Technical Institute]], founded in 1975, serves grades 9–12 with a higher level vocational schooling system.

==Media==
Passaic County is served by New York City-based commercial television & radio stations and New Jersey Network public television.
*[http://www.westmilfordmessenger.com The West Milford Messenger, community newspaper in West Milford area]
*[http://www.northjersey.com The Record, Suburban Trends and AIM West Milford, a weekly community newspaper]

==Points of interest==
*[[Dey Mansion]], in Preakness, [[Wayne, New Jersey|Wayne]], served as Washington's Headquarters on several occasions during the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref>[http://passaiccountynj.org/facilities/facility/details/25 Dey Mansion], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[Garret Mountain Reservation]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] and [[Woodland Park, New Jersey|Woodland Park]] is a [[National Natural Landmark]] covering {{convert|568|acres}}.<ref>[http://www.passaiccountynj.org/facilities/Facility/Details/28 Garret Mountain Reservation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526233604/http://www.passaiccountynj.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/28 |date=May 26, 2018 }}, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park]] in Paterson<ref>[https://www.nps.gov/pagr/index.htm Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park], [[National Park Service]]. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[High Mountain Park Preserve]] in Wayne<ref>[https://www.nynjtc.org/park/high-mountain-park-preserve High Mountain Park Preserve], [[New York–New Jersey Trail Conference]]. Accessed October 27, 2017.</ref>
*[[Hinchliffe Stadium]] in [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] is a stadium with 7,000 seats that was used as a venue for [[Negro league baseball]], and is the home of the [[New Jersey Jackals]] of the [[Frontier League]]. After 25 years at [[Yogi Berra Stadium]] on the campus of [[Montclair State University]], the Jackals relocated to Hinchliffe Stadium for the 2023 season starting in May 2023.<ref>[https://www.frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/releases/20220914l8lyy8 "New Jersey Jackals Baseball Team Secures New Home At Landmark Hinchliffe Stadium In Paterson, NJ"], [[Frontier League]], September 14, 2022. Accessed April 19, 2023. "The New Jersey Jackals, a member team of the Frontier League, a Professional Baseball League of 16 teams and Partner League of Major League Baseball (MLB), today announced the team is relocating from Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair, NJ to its new, larger home at landmark Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ. The Jackals will kick-off a 96-game season in May of 2023 at Hinchliffe, a 7,000-seat stadium that sits on a dramatic escarpment above Paterson's National Historic Great Falls and surrounded by the city's national historic district – the first planned industrial settlement in the nation in 1792."</ref>
*[[Lambert Castle]] in Paterson<ref>[http://www.passaiccountynj.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/10 Lambert Castle], Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[Long Pond Ironworks State Park]] in [[West Milford, New Jersey|West Milford]]<ref>[http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/longpond.html Long Pond Ironworks State Park], [[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]] Division of Parks and Forestry. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[Paterson Museum]], housed in the [[Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works]] in Paterson<ref>[http://www.patersonnj.gov/department/?structureid=16 Paterson Museum], [[Passaic, New Jersey]]. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[Ringwood State Park]] in [[Ringwood, New Jersey|Ringwood]]<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ringwood.html Ringwood State Park], [[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]] Division of Parks and Forestry. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref>
*[[Skylands (estate)|Skylands]], the [[New Jersey State Botanical Garden]] in Ringwood, are formal gardens that are open to the public year-round. Originally constructed for Clarence MacKenzie Lewis in the 1920s, the entire property was acquired by the State of New Jersey in 1966 to form a State Botanical Garden covering {{convert|4000|acre|km2|adj=on}} which include a [[Lilac]] Garden, [[Magnolia]] Walk, the Wild Flower Garden, the Crab Apple Vista, an allée of 166 trees extending almost a half-mile, and the Perennial Garden.<ref>[http://www.njbg.org/about.shtml About NJBG], [[New Jersey State Botanical Garden]]. Accessed August 31, 2014. "Skylands was sold in 1922 to Clarence McKenzie Lewis (1877-1959), an investment banker and also a trustee of the New York Botanical Garden. When Mr. Lewis purchased the property, he set out to make it a botanical showplace.... In 1966, New Jersey purchased the 1,117 acres of Skylands from Shelton College, which had used it as a campus."</ref>
*[[Yogi Berra Stadium]] in [[Little Falls, New Jersey|Little Falls]] - Located on the campus of [[Montclair State University]], the stadium was home to the [[New Jersey Jackals]] until 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reichard |first=Kevin |date=August 17, 2022 |title=Jackals departing Yogi Berra Stadium; Hinchliffe Stadium pitched as new team home - Ballpark Digest |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2022/08/17/jackals-departing-yogi-berra-stadium-hinchliffe-stadium-pitched-as-new-team-home/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> as well as Montclair State's baseball team. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000, with permanent seating of 3,784, and lawn seating, which holds an additional 1,500.<ref>[http://www.jackals.com/content.asp?ID=1 Yogi Berra Stadium History], [[New Jersey Jackals]]. Accessed August 31, 2014.</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|New Jersey}}
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Passaic County, New Jersey]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Passaic County, New Jersey}}
*[http://www.PassaicCountyNJ.org Passaic County web site]

{{Passaic County, New Jersey}}
{{Passaic River}}
{{New Jersey}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Passaic County, New Jersey
|North     = [[Rockland County, New York]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Bergen County, New Jersey|Bergen County]]
|Southeast = [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]]
|South     = [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Sussex County, New Jersey|Sussex County]]
|Northwest = [[Orange County, New York]]
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Passaic County, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1837 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Counties in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in New Jersey]]
[[Category:North Jersey]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1837]]