Explore Paterson, New Jersey, with this interactive street and satellite map.
This page also offers TOPO MAPS — the official USGS topographic sheets — plus USGS aerial imagery, a labelled USNG grid overlay, a distance and bearing tool, and a GPS grid-reference readout. See How to Use This Map below.
This interactive map shows the street layout and satellite imagery for Paterson, New Jersey. Use the Map and Satellite buttons above to switch between street map and aerial imagery views. Use the + and − buttons to zoom in or out, or scroll your mouse wheel while holding the Control key to zoom. On a touchscreen, use a two-finger pinch gesture. Drag the map to pan to any area of New Jersey or beyond.
Click ⛶ Fullscreen to expand the map to fill your screen. To return to the normal page view, press the Escape key, click the ✕ Exit Fullscreen button that appears above the map, or on a mobile device tap the back button (Android) or the close icon (iOS).
TOPO MAPS — NEW. Click the green 🔍 Search Maps button below the map to open a second map with a Base map row offering three choices. OSM is the standard OpenStreetMap street map. Topo shows the official USGS topographic maps from The National Map — contours, hydrography, land cover and shaded relief, the same mapping used for hiking, hunting and back-country navigation in the Adirondacks, the Catskills and the Finger Lakes. Imagery shows USGS aerial photography, mostly 1-metre NAIP. The search box finds any US town, county or landmark by name, so you are not limited to Paterson.
Reading the map like a paper quad. Click Grid to overlay the U.S. National Grid (USNG), labelled along the edges exactly as a printed topographic sheet is — at normal zoom the squares are one kilometre across, so you can read a six-figure grid reference by eye and judge distance directly off the map. Click Measure, then tap two points, to get the distance between them together with the grid bearing in degrees and mils, the true bearing, and the magnetic bearing to set on a compass.
Click 📍 My position to take a single GPS reading from your device. It marks where you are and reports your position as a USNG grid reference as well as plain latitude and longitude — USNG being the format FEMA and US search and rescue teams work from — with a Copy position button so you can paste it straight into a text message. It takes one reading and stops, rather than tracking continuously, to conserve your battery. Note that map tiles need cell coverage, but a GPS reading does not — your coordinates stay correct even where the map itself cannot load.
| City | Paterson |
| State | New Jersey (NJ) |
| County | Passaic County |
| Country | United States of America |
| Timezone | Eastern Time (America/New_York) |
| Latitude | 40.916765 |
| Longitude | -74.171811 |
| Population | 159,732 |
| Density | 7330.7 /km² |
| Incorporated | Yes |
| ZIP Codes | 07505, 07501, 07502, 07503, 07504 |
| Area Code | 973, 862 |
| County Seat | Paterson |
| School District | Paterson City School District |
Paterson anchors itself firmly within a landscape defined by the powerful, rushing currents of the Passaic River, which carves a dramatic path through the urban terrain. It lies 2.0 miles north-northeast of West Paterson, NJ (from West Paterson, NJ: bearing 25°T), and is situated 9.7 miles north-northeast of Essex. The physical character of Paterson is defined by its dramatic elevation changes, most notably the stunning Passaic Falls, where the water plunges into a deep gorge that serves as a visceral reminder of the raw, kinetic energy inherent to the region. To the west, the silhouettes of the Second Watchung Mountain rise against the sky, framing a horizon that feels both industrial and grounded. While the region remains inland, the air carries a distinct, humid weight reminiscent of the coastal influence drifting from the Atlantic, roughly 17 miles away. Residents often find quiet refuge at the Stanley M Levine Reservoir, a serene mile-away expanse of water that offers a sharp contrast to the bustling streets, while Cianci Park provides an immediate, local green space for the community to gather under the changing light of the evening.
Alexander Hamilton envisioned Paterson as a center of American industry, selecting the site specifically for the immense potential of its waterpower. The founding of Paterson was driven by the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures, which sought to harness the energy of the falling water to fuel the nation’s nascent economy. Over the decades, the evolution of Paterson mirrored the broader shifts in American labor, transforming from a powerhouse of textile production and locomotive manufacturing into a diverse, multifaceted urban center. The legacy of these early innovators remains visible in the architecture of the old mills, which stand as sturdy, brick-faced monuments to a time when the roar of the falls dictated the rhythm of the workweek. This historical foundation informs the identity of Paterson, rooting its modern progress in the grit and ambition of those who first harnessed the river’s force.
Economic life in Paterson today thrives on a blend of small-scale manufacturing, diverse retail, and regional trade, supported by a network of infrastructure that connects the local workforce to the wider metropolitan area. The proximity to the Preakness Valley allows for distinct logistical advantages, while the local transit systems facilitate the movement of goods and people across the dense suburban landscape. Educational aspirations are met by institutions such as Passaic County Community College, which serves as a vital anchor for professional development and local advancement. Though the industrial landscape has shifted away from the heavy factories of the past, the underlying infrastructure remains resilient, adapting to the needs of a contemporary population. The daily flow of traffic and the persistent hum of commerce reflect a spirit of endurance, ensuring that Paterson maintains its role as a significant hub of activity.
Cultural identity in Paterson is a vibrant mosaic, shaped by the many immigrant communities that have brought their unique traditions and flavors to the local festivals and street life. While the city does not host major professional sports franchises, the passion for athletics is deeply ingrained in the local high school rivalries and community leagues that utilize the available public fields. Famous individuals such as the poet Allen Ginsberg and the actor Lou Costello have emerged from the streets of Paterson, carrying the distinct energy of the city into the wider world. Annual events and local celebrations frequently highlight the rich, multicultural heritage of the residents, turning public squares into lively theaters of music and dance. Even the nearby Ramapo Mountain State Forest or the distant Wallington Reach offer a reprieve from the urban density, providing the people of Paterson with a necessary connection to the natural world that lies just beyond the city limits.
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This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Paterson, New Jersey. Coordinates: 40.916765, -74.171811. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.
Detailed location data for Paterson includes the ZIP code (07505, 07501, 07502), telephone area code (973, 862), county seat of Passaic County (Paterson), and school district assignment (Paterson City School District).
Search Maps opens a second, independent map. It searches OpenStreetMap for any US town, county or landmark by name; offers USGS topographic maps and USGS aerial imagery as base layers; overlays a labelled U.S. National Grid (USNG) so the map can be read like a printed topographic quad; measures distance and grid, true and magnetic bearings between any two points; and takes a single GPS fix reporting your position as a USNG grid reference and as latitude and longitude. Map tiles require cell coverage, but a GPS position does not, so the coordinates remain correct even where the map cannot load.
Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.
| Page generated | September 2026 |
| Location data | SimpleMaps US Cities Database; coordinates matched to USGS GNIS definitive data |
| Map layers | Google Maps; © OpenStreetMap contributors; USGS The National Map topographic and aerial imagery (public domain); magnetic declination from NOAA NCEI (World Magnetic Model) |
| Wikipedia validation | Article content matched to USGS GNIS coordinates via Wikipedia geosearch API. |