Paterson is a city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, in the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third-most-populous city reflecting a decline of 3,023 (-2.0%) from the 149,222 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 8,331 (+5.9%) from the 140,891 counted in the 1990 Census. The Census Bureau estimated a 2012 population of 145,219, a decrease of 980 (-0.7%) since 2010. Detailed analysis of 2011 U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that Paterson continues to carry the second-highest density of any U.S. city with over 100,000 people, behind only New York City. Paterson is known as the "Silk City" for its dominant role in silk production during the latter hal