Clifton City Hall
900 Clifton Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
973-470-5800
Clifton, New Jersey
One of New Jersey's largest and most diverse cities, combining established neighborhoods, major highway shopping, two commuter-rail stations, historic districts, parks, arts and an unusually international food scene.
About Clifton
Clifton was incorporated as a city in 1917 from the former Acquackanonk Township. Today it occupies about 11.3 square miles in southern Passaic County, roughly 12 miles west of New York City, and functions as both a residential community and a major North Jersey commercial hub.
Clifton is made up of many distinct neighborhoods rather than one single downtown. Areas such as Allwood, Athenia, Botany Village, Delawanna, Dutch Hill, Lakeview and Richfield each have their own local character, while Routes 3, 21 and 46 connect the city to the broader region.
90,2962020 Census population
91,1272025 population estimate
11.26 sq. mi.Approximate city area
1917City incorporation
Government & Community Services
Clifton Public Library
Main Library: 292 Piaget Avenue
Allwood Branch: 44 Lyall Road
The Main Library's major HVAC project concluded with upper-floor reopening in February 2026.
Clifton Recreation
The city runs youth, adult and family programming and adopted its first Open Space & Recreation Plan in late 2025.
Clifton Arts Center
900 Clifton Avenue
973-472-5499
Municipal gallery and sculpture setting with rotating visual-art exhibitions, performances and community programs.
Schools
Clifton Public Schools operates a large citywide district with Clifton High School, three middle schools, multiple neighborhood elementary schools and the Clifton Early Learner Academy.
Clifton High School
The city's comprehensive public high school serving Clifton students in grades 9–12.
Middle Schools
Christopher Columbus Middle School, Maple Valley Middle School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School serve the city's middle-grade population.
Elementary Schools
Neighborhood schools include Schools 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
Early Learning
Clifton Early Learner Academy supports the district's youngest students and early-childhood programming.
Parks, Open Space & Recreation
Weasel Brook Park
794 Park Drive. Passaic County park with walking paths, bike path, basketball, soccer, playground, picnic areas, fitness equipment and a seasonal spray park.
Main Memorial Park
1395 Main Avenue. A historic 12.5-acre city park with softball, tennis, playgrounds and walking paths; major improvements have been planned through the city's Green Acres program.
Anzaldi Park
Large recreation complex with athletic fields and active city programming; formerly known as the Athenia Steel Recreation Complex.
Nash Park
Neighborhood recreation site used for city events and youth activities, including seasonal programming.
Robin Hood Park
Community park and recreation area serving Clifton's western neighborhoods.
City Green Farm Eco-Center
Five-acre preserved former Schultheis Farm on Grove Street with organic food production, learning farm, chickens, goats, beehives, greenhouse, programs and farm events.
History, Arts & Neighborhood Identity
Historic Botany District
A long-established commercial and residential district connected to Clifton's industrial history and still recognized by the city as a special improvement district.
Clifton Arts Center
Gallery exhibitions, sculpture, music and cultural programs provide a dedicated municipal arts destination.
Farm Heritage
Although Clifton is densely developed, the preserved Schultheis Farm property and a small number of agricultural parcels continue the city's farming story.
Commercial Crossroads
Route 3, Route 46, Route 21 and the Garden State Parkway make Clifton one of North Jersey's most accessible shopping and employment centers.
Transportation
Clifton Station
Elm and Fornelius Streets. NJ Transit Main/Bergen County Line service with substantial commuter parking and bike racks.
Delawanna Station
Delawanna and Oak streets near Route 3. Main/Bergen County Line service with parking, bike racks and a ticket vending machine.
Highway Access
Route 3, Route 21, Route 46 and the Garden State Parkway connect Clifton to New York City, the Meadowlands, Newark and the rest of North Jersey.
Neighboring Municipalities
Clifton borders Paterson, Passaic, Little Falls and Woodland Park in Passaic County; Elmwood Park, Garfield, Rutherford and Lyndhurst in Bergen County; and Nutley, Bloomfield and Montclair in Essex County.
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