Passaic

Passaic is a city in Passaic County in northern New Jersey that sits at roughly 100 feet (30 meters) elevation along the river of the same name. Residential areas with apartment buildings alternate with older industrial structures and smaller commercial streets.

Dutch traders settled near the river starting in 1679 and established one of the first European communities in this region. In the decades before 1900, the settlement grew into a manufacturing hub with numerous textile factories.

The name derives from a Lenape word referring to the valley through which the river flows. Many shops along Main Avenue carry signs in different languages and sell foods from Central and Eastern Europe.

Several bus lines run from the main terminal at Main and Lexington to New York City and nearby towns. Most residential streets are easy to explore on foot, while shops and markets often sit near bus stops.

In the late 1800s, local factories produced much of the silk processed in the United States. Many of the old brick mill buildings still stand along the riverfront today and serve other purposes.

Location: Passaic County

Inception: 1679

Elevation above the sea: 30 m

Shares border with: Clifton, Wallington, Garfield, Rutherford, East Rutherford

Website: https://cityofpassaic.com

GPS coordinates: 40.85750,-74.12889

Latest update: December 13, 2025 01:16