United States › New Jersey › Plainfield CITY · 2000 CENSUS
Plainfield New Jersey · 47,829 residents · 5.96 sq mi
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The short version
With 47,829 people, Plainfield is a city in New Jersey. Owners hold 50% of the housing stock. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Households here earn about 15% less than in New Jersey as a whole. The poverty rate is 15.9%, above the 12.4% national rate. Median home value sits at $137,500.
At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 32.8
US median: 35.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 31.3 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
45K 48K 51K 53K 56K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Plainfield Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $46,683
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $38,463 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $14,742 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 12.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$137,500
−26%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $140,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$726
−12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $627 in 1990
US average: $602
from 51.0% in 1990
49.9% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 26.4%(12,301)
Hispanic / Latino 14.5%(6,759)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 11.5%(5,508)
Hispanic / Latino 25.2%(12,033)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Hispanic origin
+ 6 more hispanic origin groups with data Ancestry
+ 32 more ancestry groups with data from 18.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 71.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 6.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 23.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 44.5%(7,829)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 28.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 38.0% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 7.5% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 12.4% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 29.0% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 1.5% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 43.7% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 38.8% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 19.9%(158)
Gulf War (1990s) 17.9%(142)
Share of the 795 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
Places similar to Plainfield Head to head
Compare Plainfield to nearby cities PLAINFIELD VS
North Plainfield
Income $87,349 +87%
Home value $374,700 +173%
Population 22,879 −60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PLAINFIELD VS
Fanwood
Income $195,529 +319%
Home value $635,200 +362%
Population 8,035 −86%
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PLAINFIELD VS
South Plainfield
Income $130,239 +179%
Home value $470,900 +242%
Population 24,891 −56%
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PLAINFIELD VS
Dunellen
Income $86,967 +86%
Home value $393,500 +186%
Population 8,337 −85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Plainfield, New Jersey? Plainfield, New Jersey has about 47,829 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Plainfield, New Jersey? The typical household in Plainfield, New Jersey earns about $46,683 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Plainfield, New Jersey expensive? In Plainfield, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $137,500, and the typical rent is about $726 a month.
How educated are people in Plainfield, New Jersey? About 18.5% of adults age 25 and over in Plainfield, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Plainfield, New Jersey? About 15.9% of people in Plainfield, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.
Has Plainfield, New Jersey grown since 1990? Yes, Plainfield, New Jersey has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,262 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.
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