Passaic, industrial city, Passaic County, northeastern New Jersey, on the Passaic River, near Newark; incorporated 1873. Major manufactures include machinery, chemicals, metal and rubber products, electronic equipment, printed materials, and processed food. The community, settled by the Dutch as Acquackanonk in 1678, was occupied by both American and British troops during the American Revolution. Its present name was adopted in 1854. The city formerly was a major textile center, and it was the scene of considerable labor unrest in the early 20th century, notably strikes in 1912 and 1926. Population 52,463 (1980); 58,041 (1990); 67,861 (2000).
