Communities
Paterson has 33 neighborhoods. While Prospect Park, Haledon, Totowa, West Paterson, Hawthorne, Clifton, North Haledon, Elmwood Park, and Fair Lawn are towns neighboring Paterson, they are also considered to be suburbs of the city.
The Great Falls Historic District is the most well-known area of Paterson, because of the historic landmark Great Falls of the Passaic River. This area has undergone a major revitalization in the past few years as the city converts its old industrial buildings into apartments and retail establishments. Many artists call this section of the city home as well.
The main commercial district of the city is Downtown Paterson. In previous years, it had a reputation as being the shopping mecca for northern New Jersey. However, like many other old downtown districts in the U.S., downtown Paterson suffered as shoppers and retailers moved to the suburban shopping malls setting. In recent years, the city has started initiatives in hopes of reviving this area.
Eastside is a residential neighborhood located east of the downtown area. During the city’s industrial boom, the Eastside served as home to its industrial and political leaders who fled when the boom ended. Recently, people have begun returning to the neighborhood and are restoring some of the area's historic houses.
South Paterson is a diverse neighborhood, with a significant Arab, Turkish, Persian, and Hispanic presence centered south of Montclair Avenue. Many of the retail shops and restaurants in this neighborhood cater to this diverse population.
Hillcrest is a mostly residential, middle class area located to the west of the downtown area. Wrigley Park is mostly a residential neighborhood that has suffered from years of poverty, crime, and neglect. The Northside suffers from some of the social problems currently facing the Wrigley Park neighborhood. This section is known for its hilly landscape and great views of New York City.
Riverside is bound by the Passaic River to the north and east, separating the city from Hawthorne and Fair Lawn. Riverside is mostly a quiet working-class neighborhood. The neighborhood is residential with some industrial. Lakeview, located in the southern part of Paterson, is a middle class area. Interstate 80 runs north of this district.