Paterson is an older industrial city, once known as the “Silk City” for its 19th-century textile manufacturing along the Great Falls of the Passaic River. It has a mix of dense urban neighborhoods, historic mills, immigrant communities, and pockets of redevelopment. Key districts include Downtown Paterson, South Paterson, the Great Falls historic district, and Eastside neighborhoods. Housing tends toward older row-houses, small single-family homes, some multi-family properties, and fewer large lots. The area as a whole is urban to transitional, with some suburbanized fringes but not rural. Average home value measured by Zillow is about $520,330. Average home value measured by Zillow is about $520,330. Other data show a median listing around $449,000 in 2025. For new build opportunities, redevelopment of older structures or infill housing may apply, though large tracts of raw land are less common. Proximity: Paterson is about 20 miles northwest of Manhattan and accessible via NJ Transit rail; it serves as a commuter city but also has independent economy. The home purchase range is more moderate compared to some nearby cities—but still firmly part of a major metro corridor.