Paterson is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 149,222. Census population projections indicate a population of 148,708 as of 2006, making it New Jersey’s third largest city. It is the county seat of Passaic County. Paterson is known as the “Silk City” for its dominant role in silk production during the later 19th century.