Vailsburg is a neighborhood in the city of Newark in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Part of the West Ward, its elevation is 280 feet (85 m). As of 2000[update], Vailsburg had a population of 34,348. The Vailsburg section of Newark is on a hill which closely aligns with the suburban and park areas outside it. Vailsburg includes the two smaller neighborhoods of upper Vailsburg and lower Vailsburg, both of which have Sanford Avenue as a focal point. Upper Vailsburg is closer to Maplewood and South Orange.