Passaic County
NJ · Pop. 518,289 · Urban County
Passaic County sits in New Jersey across 186 square miles, home to 518,289 people at 2786.5 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, tomatoes, cucumbers. The median home price is $439,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.28%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Chilton Medical Center is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Chilton Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A median household income of $87,137 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.28% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $439,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Passaic County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 9/100
- Median home price
- $439k
- Property tax
- 2.28%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.5"
- Broadband
- 97.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Chilton Medical Center, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Passaic County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Passaic County?
- Passaic County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are hay, tomatoes, cucumbers.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $439,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.28%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Chilton Medical Center is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
Explore New Jersey Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in New Jersey
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The closest counties to Passaic County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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