Paterson, New Jersey
About Paterson
Set in the northeastern part of New Jersey, Paterson is a mid-size city counting 160,463 people who proudly call it home. It ranks as the 3rd largest city in New Jersey.
Officially, Paterson is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 8.41 square miles, giving it one of the denser urban centers in the region at roughly 19,080 residents per square mile.
📰 Paterson News Today
- One killed, three injured in Paterson shooting PIX11 · Aug 17
- See how Paterson's high schools fared on the 2026 US News rankings Bergen Record · Aug 18
- Friends, family say goodbye to 10-year-old Milian Dula, who drowned in Passaic River ABC7 New York · Aug 18
- Paterson Police Department Welcomes 10 New Officers TAPinto · Aug 18
- Paterson Police Department Welcomes 10 New Officers Following Academy Graduation - - New Jersey Office of Attorney General (.gov) · Aug 17
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Paterson Unique
- One of the 5 largest cities in New Jersey (#3 statewide).
- The only place in America named Paterson — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
- Big-city energy: 19,080 people per square mile.
- Positioned in northeastern New Jersey, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
Why People Love It Here
- Full urban amenities: dining, healthcare, education, and employment in one place.
- Serious economic gravity — one of the region's employment and cultural hubs.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 3 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Paterson
- Arabian Cafe (café)
- AsalBee
- Darna Resturant — middle eastern
- Doner Point — turkish
- Kanoon — middle eastern
- Kikiriki — chicken
- Kral Pide — turkish
- Nouri's Restaurant — lebanese
- The Cathedral Restaurant
- Abu Rass Mediterranean Cuisine
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Paterson Museum · Museum
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Paterson
- 21st Street Playground reviews ★
- Barbour Park reviews ★
- Brandes Field Playground reviews ★
- Federici Park reviews ★
- Juan Pablo Duarte Plaza reviews ★
- Lou Costello Memorial Park reviews ★
- MLK Park reviews ★
- Main & Hine Street Triangle reviews ★
- Mary Ellen Kramer Park reviews ★
- Overlook Park reviews ★
- PCCC Alumni Quad reviews ★
- Pan-American Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Paterson
- Alexander Hamilton Academy
- Alternative High School
- College Achieve Paterson Charter School
- Community Charter School of Paterson
- International High School
- John F. Kennedy High School
- Joseph A. Taub School
- New Roberto Clemente
- Paterson Arts and Science Charter School
- Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology
- Paterson P-TECH High School
- Paterson STEAM High School
- Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson
- Students Transitioning and Achieving Real Success
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- St Joseph'S University Medical Center Inc ★★★ (3/5 CMS rating)
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.