New Jersey, nestled between two of the most powerful metro areas in the world — New York City and Philadelphia — has long served as a gateway for immigrants. Known for its industrial roots, suburban diversity, and historic cities, the state is home to more than 2 million foreign-born residents. Many of them live, work, and raise families without yet obtaining U.S. citizenship — contributing to every sector of the economy. So where do most non-citizens live in New Jersey?

Using the latest available data, we compiled a list of the top cities in the state with the largest number of non-U.S. citizens.

Top New Jersey Cities by Non-Citizen Population

1. Newark – 71,455
2. Jersey City – 59,370
3. Paterson – 40,734
4. Elizabeth – 38,206
5. Trenton – 24,371
6. Union City – 22,865
7. Passaic – 22,407
8. West New York – 19,722
9. North Bergen – 18,770
10. Perth Amboy – 17,500
11. Camden – 11,255
12. Bayonne – 10,494
13. Hackensack – 10,394
14. Plainfield – 10,269
15. East Orange – 9,471
16. Lakewood – 8,318
17. Linden – 7,932
18. Bridgeton – 6,742
19. Fairview – 6,438

Newark

Newark tops the list with 71,455 non-citizens among its 304,943 residents. As New Jersey’s largest city, it has long been a hub for immigration — especially from Latin America, West Africa, and the Caribbean. The city’s strong transportation infrastructure, including Newark Liberty International Airport and direct trains to NYC, make it a strategic home for new arrivals.

Newark is known for its thriving arts scene, university campuses, and large working-class neighborhoods. It’s a leader in logistics and health care employment and is currently undergoing significant real estate development downtown.

Cultural Highlights:

• Ironbound neighborhood (Portuguese/Brazilian)
• Rutgers University–Newark
• African American Heritage Parade
• La Casa de Don Pedro (immigration services)
• Weequahic Park

Jersey City

Jersey City ranks second with 59,370 non-citizens, or roughly 20% of its 291,663 residents. The city is famously one of the most diverse in the United States, with large Indian, Filipino, Dominican, and Egyptian populations.

It’s known for its iconic skyline views, easy PATH access to Manhattan, and dynamic growth in Journal Square and the waterfront. With a mix of high-rise condos, public housing, and historic brownstones, Jersey City offers housing for every type of resident.

Cultural Highlights:

• India Square (Newark Avenue)
• Journal Square Immigrant Hub
• Mana Contemporary arts complex
• Hudson County Community College ESL programs
• Oren’s Community Cultural Center

Paterson

Paterson is home to 40,734 non-citizens in a population of 156,419. It’s one of the most heavily immigrant-populated cities in NJ, known for its large Peruvian, Dominican, Arab, and Turkish communities.

The city is rich with industrial history and is undergoing major redevelopment. Immigrants play a significant role in local small business growth and workforce participation. Paterson is also home to vibrant cultural parades, mosques, and global cuisine.

Cultural Highlights:

• Great Falls National Historical Park
• South Paterson (Little Istanbul)
• Peruvian Parade of New Jersey
• Islamic Center of Passaic County
• Paterson Museum

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Elizabeth

Elizabeth, with 38,206 non-citizens, is one of the most important ports of entry in the tri-state area. Located adjacent to Newark Airport and Port Newark, it’s a major center for logistics and warehousing — employing thousands of immigrants.

Elizabeth is known for its multicultural population, historic downtown, and strong sense of community. Residents come from Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, and Portugal, among others.

Cultural Highlights:

• Union County College Elizabeth Campus
• Elizabeth Public Library ESL classes
• Goethals Bridge immigrant transport hub
• Portuguese Instructive Social Club
• Morris Avenue shopping district

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Trenton

The state capital, Trenton has 24,371 non-citizens in a population just under 90,000. Many are from Central America and the Caribbean, working in construction, cleaning, and services.

Trenton is known for its governmental buildings, riverfront location, and working-class neighborhoods. Though it faces economic challenges, local nonprofits and churches provide extensive support for new immigrants.

Cultural Highlights:

• Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund
• Trenton Catholic Academy
• Princeton Area Community Foundation
• Historic Mill Hill District
• El Centro Catholic Charities

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Union City

Union City has 22,865 non-citizens among its 68,000+ population. With one of the highest population densities in the U.S., this city is a cultural melting pot of Cuban, Dominican, and Central American families.

It’s known for its vibrant arts scene, close-knit neighborhoods, and stunning views of the NYC skyline. Immigrant-owned bodegas and restaurants line Bergenline Avenue, the city’s commercial spine.

Cultural Highlights:

• Union City Performing Arts Center
• Bergenline Avenue Corridor
• José Martí STEM Academy
• Las Palmas Restaurant
• Celia Cruz Park

Passaic

Passaic is home to 22,407 non-citizens, making up a significant portion of its roughly 70,000 residents. Located along the Passaic River and just minutes from Paterson, the city is densely populated and known for its working-class roots and entrepreneurial spirit.

The city has one of the largest immigrant populations per capita in the state, with residents from Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Bangladesh. Many immigrants find work in local factories, food processing plants, and service jobs. Passaic’s rental market is high in demand due to its proximity to New York City.

Cultural Highlights:

• Main Avenue commercial corridor
• Passaic Latino Festival
• Bangladesh Islamic Center of Passaic
• Passaic County Community College satellite campus
• Iglesia Cristiana Amor Eterno

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West New York

West New York, with 19,722 non-citizens, is located along the Hudson River and is part of New Jersey’s “Gold Coast.” Despite its small size, the city is one of the most densely populated in the country and is known for its vibrant immigrant communities.

Cuban Americans have historically shaped West New York, but recent decades have seen large influxes of Ecuadorian, Dominican, and Peruvian residents. The town features mid-rise apartments, walkable shopping districts, and multilingual support services.

Cultural Highlights:

• Boulevard East skyline views
• Celina’s Bakery (Ecuadorian-owned)
• Miller Stadium (community events)
• Memorial High School dual-language programs
• West New York Community Center

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North Bergen

North Bergen has 18,770 non-citizens and continues the dense, diverse stretch of Hudson County bordering Union City and West New York. Its steep hills, proximity to NYC, and major bus routes make it attractive to commuters and first-generation families.

The city has seen strong immigrant growth from Central and South America, especially from El Salvador and Colombia. North Bergen also has a growing Muslim and Arab population, with new mosques and grocers emerging in recent years.

Cultural Highlights:

• James J. Braddock North Hudson Park
• North Bergen Public Library ESL services
• Mi Bandera Supermarket (Latin American imports)
• Al-Farooq Mosque
• Broadway and Bergenline Ave retail corridors

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Perth Amboy

Located along the Raritan Bay, Perth Amboy is home to 17,500 non-citizens and has long been a hub for maritime activity and shipping. Today, it’s a majority Hispanic city with large communities from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Perth Amboy offers relatively affordable housing, strong Catholic school networks, and community services for immigrants. The historic waterfront area and cultural parades reflect the city’s vibrant roots.

Cultural Highlights:

• Waterfront Promenade & Marina
• Perth Amboy Center for Latino Arts (PACLA)
• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
• Puerto Rican Festival of Perth Amboy
• NJ Community College of Middlesex satellite programs

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Bayonne

Bayonne, with 10,494 non-citizens, is a port-side city that has undergone major redevelopment in recent years. Once largely industrial, the city now attracts young professionals and immigrant families with new housing, ferry access to Manhattan, and revitalized parks.

Bayonne’s immigrant communities hail from the Philippines, Pakistan, Egypt, and Poland. The city balances working-class tradition with new development on the former Military Ocean Terminal.

Cultural Highlights:

• Bayonne Community Museum
• Hudson County Schools of Technology ESL programs
• Bayonne Islamic Center
• Gdynia Polish Home
• 16th Street Park

Hackensack

Hackensack has 10,394 non-citizens among its roughly 46,000 residents, making it one of Bergen County’s most diverse cities. It serves as the county seat and is a regional hub for courts, hospitals, and retail.

Known for its urban-suburban mix, Hackensack has seen significant downtown redevelopment, attracting both professionals and immigrant families. Its central location between major highways and bus/train lines makes it ideal for commuters. Immigrant communities include populations from Haiti, Korea, Colombia, and Jamaica.

Cultural Highlights:

• Hackensack Main Street Business District
• Foschini Park cultural events
• Korean Community Center of NJ
• Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC)
• Bergen County Justice Center (immigration legal aid access)

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Plainfield

Plainfield is home to 10,269 non-citizens out of approximately 54,000 residents. The city is known for its historic homes, strong civic associations, and immigrant diversity, especially from Central America, the Caribbean, and South Asia.

Its location in Union County offers easy access to major highways and rail service into New York City. While often overlooked, Plainfield has a tight-knit immigrant community supported by churches, legal clinics, and multilingual schools.

Cultural Highlights:

• Plainfield Performing Arts Center
• Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church (multicultural events)
• Plainfield Latin American Festival
• United Youth of NJ (youth services)
• Queen City Coffee Roasters (immigrant-owned)

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East Orange

East Orange has 9,471 non-citizens and a total population of approximately 69,000. Known for its deep African American roots, it is also home to growing immigrant communities from West Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

The city’s urban infrastructure, affordable rental housing, and revitalization projects continue to attract new families. East Orange has a strong arts and activism scene and is closely linked to Newark’s job market and transit system.

Cultural Highlights:

• East Orange General Hospital (immigrant workforce)
• Cicely Tyson Community School of Performing & Fine Arts
• City Hall Plaza cultural festivals
• Haitian-American Charitable Alliance
• African Caribbean International Cultural Organization

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Lakewood

Lakewood Township has 8,318 non-citizens and a total population that exceeds 135,000 — making it one of the fastest-growing cities in New Jersey. Known primarily for its large Orthodox Jewish community, Lakewood is also home to sizable immigrant populations from Latin America, especially Mexico and Guatemala.

The local economy centers around religious schools, healthcare, and construction, with immigrants contributing significantly across all sectors. Lakewood’s unique cultural identity combines suburban living with intense urban-style growth.

Cultural Highlights:

• Lakewood Town Square events
• Georgian Court University ESL programs
• The Strand Theater
• Iglesia El Redentor
• CHEMED (Federally Qualified Health Center)

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Linden

Linden reports 7,932 non-citizens in a population of around 45,000. This Union County city has a growing immigrant presence from Poland, Ukraine, Colombia, and Nigeria, and is known for its proximity to industrial employers and Port Newark.

Linden’s suburban layout, schools, and parks make it appealing to families, while recent development near the train station continues to draw interest from new buyers and renters.

Cultural Highlights:

• John T. Gregorio Recreation Center
• Linden Multicultural Festival
• Polish National Home
• Union County Vo-Tech immigrant support programs
• St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish (bilingual services)

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Bridgeton

Bridgeton, located in Cumberland County, has 6,742 non-citizens out of a population of just under 27,000. It has long been a hub for migrant agricultural labor and food processing jobs. Most non-citizens here hail from Mexico, Guatemala, and Haiti.

The city has faced economic struggles but remains culturally rich, with a large Spanish-speaking population and grassroots support for immigrant families.

Cultural Highlights:

• Bridgeton Unity Day Parade
• Casa PRAC (Puerto Rican Action Committee)
• Alms Center (community hub)
• Bridgeton High School ESL and dual-language programs
• Cohanzick Zoo (family-focused landmark)

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Fairview

Fairview has 6,438 non-citizens among its approximately 15,000 residents — one of the highest percentages on the list. This small, densely populated Bergen County borough sits just west of Edgewater and is a stone’s throw from New York City.

It is known for its large Peruvian and Ecuadorian communities and features dozens of immigrant-owned restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings with multigenerational families.

Cultural Highlights:

• Anderson Avenue corridor (Latin American retail)
• Fairview Public Library bilingual programming
• Iglesia Cristiana La Esperanza
• Bodeguita de Fairview
• Annual Peruvian Independence Day Parade

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Camden

Camden, with 11,255 non-citizens, was covered earlier in the top 20 but deserves its own spotlight. Once an industrial powerhouse, the city is undergoing redevelopment and remains home to a large Puerto Rican population, as well as newcomers from Bangladesh, Mexico, and West Africa.

Camden is known for its universities, medical campuses, and deep social challenges — but also for its resilience and community-building efforts through immigrant churches and nonprofits.

Cultural Highlights:

• Rutgers University–Camden Immigrant Student Services
• Camden Center for Law and Social Justice
• Camden County Historical Society
• Camden Waterfront Park
• Esperanza Neighborhood Project

Conclusion

From the packed high-rises of Union City to the historic streets of Newark and the revitalizing neighborhoods of Camden, New Jersey is a powerful reminder that America’s future is built on diversity. Non-citizens — whether here on work visas, green cards, or pursuing a path to permanent residency — are vital contributors to the state’s economic growth, small business success, and cultural fabric.

These communities aren’t just data points — they’re neighborhoods filled with families starting businesses, sending children to bilingual schools, attending mosques, churches, and temples, and shaping the future of the Garden State. Whether it’s the global cuisine of Jersey City, the entrepreneurial energy in Passaic, or the civic pride in Elizabeth, non-citizen residents are deeply woven into the life of New Jersey’s cities.

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