City (pop., 2000: 149,222), northeastern New Jersey, U.S. It is located on the Passaic River, north of Newark , N.J. It was founded in 1791 as an industrial settlement by advocates of U.S. industrial independence from Europe.
The successful enterprise, begun by Alexander Hamilton , was known as the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. In the 19th century it was a centre of cotton textile production, the silk industry, and locomotive manufacturing. It received a city charter in 1851 and was the scene of many labour disputes. By the 20th century its industries were widely diversified.