City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Passaic, NJ

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Passaic - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

69,651
Residents
$56,780
Median income
$406,500
Median home
$2,324
Median rent (state)

Passaic - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Passaic lands in the 30th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
89th
percentile, median rent
21st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Passaic, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 69,651 residents in Passaic, a small city within New Jersey. Median household income here is $56,780 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 22.0%. Passaic's housing stock carries a median value of $406,500, and the median resident age is 30.9 years. Educational attainment runs 16.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 74 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 19% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2556.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Jersey at 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,324 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). The average commute for Passaic workers runs 23.8 minutes, with 48.9% driving alone and 8.2% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

69,651 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$56,780 /yr

Poverty 22.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Passaic compare to other US cities?

Here's how Passaic stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 89% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Jersey alone, Passaic ranks #208 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Passaic against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Jersey only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Jersey-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Passaic's strongest outlier among New Jersey cities

Among the 680 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Passaic ranks #27 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Passaic only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#618 of 659
6th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#221 of 686
57th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#327 of 672
51st percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#27 of 680
96th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#631 of 686
8th percentile in New Jersey

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Jersey only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

30thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Passaic's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Passaic's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 23 Avg. percentile National median
Passaic's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Passaic's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$406,500 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Passaic $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Passaic, NJ Passaic, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Passaic, NJ-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Passaic, NJ median $56,780/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Passaic, NJ's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Passaic, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
69,651
Median Income
$56,780
Median Home Value
$406,500
Median Age
30.9
Poverty Rate
22.0%
Labor force participation
59.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2556.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
719.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1837.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
22
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
69,000 residents70,000 residents71,000 residents72,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 70,313 residents 71,337 residents ▲ +1.5%
Passaic's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
74
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
52
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 62
2020 105
2021 119
2022 101
2023 50
2024 74

Permit volume increased 19% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.8 minutes
Drive Alone
48.9%
Carpool
16.5%
Public Transit
13.0%
Walk
11.3%
Work from Home
8.2%
Other
2.1%

Based on 29,438 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Jersey - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Jersey state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Jersey state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Passaic sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,324/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Lakewood
69,884 people
East Orange
69,183 people
Bayonne
70,468 people
Camden
71,471 people
Union City
66,375 people
Vineland
60,692 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Passaic's 69,651 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Yuba City, CA
69,545 people
Walnut Creek, CA
69,790 people
Redondo Beach, CA
69,814 people
West Des Moines, IA
69,893 people
St. Cloud, MN
69,926 people
Tulare, CA
69,984 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Passaic's $56,780 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Breckenridge, MI
$56,779 median income
Savannah, GA
$56,782 median income
Marseilles, IL
$56,777 median income
Hardinsburg, KY
$56,774 median income
Sheridan, MI
$56,786 median income
Elbow Lake, MN
$56,786 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Passaic, NJ Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Passaic, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 28.0% 7.0% 14.2% 45.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 73.0% White 28.0% Black or African American 7.0% Asian 4.8% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.2% Two or more races 45.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Passaic compares to nearby New Jersey cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Passaic (this city) 69,651 $56,780
Lakewood 69,884 $57,576
East Orange 69,183 $59,872
Bayonne 70,468 $81,285
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Passaic, NJ?

What is the population of Passaic, NJ? +

Passaic, NJ counts 69,651 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Passaic, NJ? +

The median household income in Passaic is $56,780 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Passaic? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Passaic; the closest available measure is the New Jersey state average, a cost of living index of 108.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Jersey vary by metro area.

Is Passaic, NJ safe? +

Passaic has a total crime rate of 2556.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Passaic, NJ? +

Passaic's median home value sits at $406,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.