Find Family Counselors Serving
Clifton, NJ

Frequently asked questions

Clifton, NJ

Clifton is a city in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Criss-crossed by several major highways, the city is a regional commercial hub for North Jersey and is a bedroom suburb of New York City in the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city retained its position as the state's 11th-most-populous municipality, just behind 2020 #10 Trenton, and well ahead of 2020 #12 Cherry Hill, with a population of 90,296, reflecting an overall increase of 6,160 (+7.3%) from the 2010 census count of 84,136, which in turn reflected an overall increase of 5,464 (+6.9%) from the 78,672 counted in the 2000 census. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated that the city's population was 88,709 in 2022, reflecting an overall decrease of 1,587 (1.8%) from the 90,296 counted in the 2020 census and ranking the city the 388th-most-populous in the country.

Clifton was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 26, 1917, replacing Acquackanonk Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. Clifton is listed under five different ZIP codes. 07011, 07012, 07013, 07014, and 07015. Clifton has been named one of the best cities to live in the United States.

The city of Clifton turned 100 years old in April 2017 but documented European settlements in the area date back to 1679, when a leader of the Lenape Native Americans gave a deed for 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) along the shores of the Passaic River to Hans Frederick. The modern name of "Clifton" was derived from the cliffs of Garrett Mountain, which borders the Albion Place neighborhood in the western part of the city. Clifton was once an agricultural hub, and home to the U.S. Animal Quarantine Station, which was operated in Clifton by the United States Department of Agriculture, starting in 1903. It was served by the Newark Branch of the Erie–Lackawanna Railroad. It was the primary location on the East Coast where animals from poultry, horses, and cattle, to zoo animals, were held in quarantine after being brought into the United States, to ensure that the animals were not infected with diseases that could be spread in the U.S. The federal station operated in Clifton until the late 1970s when the facility was relocated to Stewart International Airport.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 11.43 square miles (29.60 km2), including 11.27 square miles (29.19 km2) of land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) of water (1.37%).

Clifton is located off both Route 3 and Route 46 and is situated 15 miles (24 km) west of Midtown Manhattan, which is accessible via the Lincoln Tunnel. The city is also served by the Garden State Parkway, Route 19, and Route 21; all of those highways pass either around or through parts of the city.

The city borders the municipalities of Little Falls, Passaic, Paterson, and Woodland Park in Passaic County; Elmwood Park, Garfield, Lyndhurst, and Rutherford in Bergen County, and Bloomfield, Montclair, and Nutley in Essex County. The Passaic River provides part of the boundary of Clifton at its northeastern edge. Weasel Brook is a tributary of the Passaic, which links from Plog Brook, passing through its namesake Weasel Brook Park, before turning south and joining the Passaic River close to Route 21.

Health and wellness are paramount in Clifton, with a plethora of facilities and programs dedicated to promoting well-being. St. Mary's General Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in the region, offers comprehensive medical services to the community, ensuring access to quality care for residents. Clifton YMCA offers fitness classes, gym equipment, and personal training services. They also have programs for seniors and youth. Crunch Fitness Clifton is a gym with a variety of workout equipment, group fitness classes, and personal training options. Planet Fitness is known for its affordable memberships and it provides a range of cardio and strength training equipment. Kessler Rehabilitation Center specializes in physical therapy and rehabilitation services, including treatment for sports injuries, orthopedic conditions, and neurological disorders. Pro Staff Physical Therapy offers personalized physical therapy programs for individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries, as well as for those managing chronic conditions.
 

Top sites in Clifton, NJ are Brighton Asylum, Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park, Garret Mountain Reservation, and American Dream.  
 

Population: 88,709 (2022). Area: 11.43 sq mi (29.60 km2). Elevation: 197 feet (60 m). ZIP Code: 07011-07015. Area code(s): 973.

FAQs

What's the crime rate in Clifton, New Jersey?

Clifton is in the 21st percentile for safety, meaning 79% of cities are safer and 21% of cities are more dangerous. The rate of crime in Clifton is 27.52 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. People who live in Clifton generally consider the southern part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Clifton may be as high as 1 in 20 in the north neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 68 in the south part of the city.

Is Clifton, NJ a good area?

It's a fairly nice area with many local grocery stores around. People are highly respectful, and there is a lot of variety. Many residents have no complaints about growing up in Clifton, New Jersey. There are lots of pleasant neighborhoods with a park and a school close by. This is one of the reasons why moving to Clifton, New Jersey is a great idea.

What is the oldest town in Clifton, NJ?

Clifton’s Botany Village is one of the oldest towns in Clifton. It was once a thriving area populated with a population that worked in the Silk and Wool mills factories.  At the turn of the century and early 1900s, a staple of the American wool industry employed thousands of people and helped make the town progress. It got its name after the Botany Worsted Mills.

Sources

City of Clifton

Wikipedia

Historic Botany Village

Mover Junction

Crime Grade

Brighton Asylum 

Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park 

Garret Mountain Reservation 

American Dream

St. Mary's General Hospital

Clifton YMCA

Crunch Fitness Clifton

Planet Fitness

Kessler Rehabilitation Center

Pro Staff Physical Therapy 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should be kept from being current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.