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CITY · 2020 ACS

Plainfield

New Jersey · 54,586 residents · 5.959 sq mi
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The short version

Plainfield has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,400. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $268,000. At a median age of 33.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 31% less than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
54,586
+14%since 2000
from 47,829 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
9,160 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 8,026 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.8
+3%since 2000
from 32.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
45K48K51K53K56K1990201020202024Plainfield
202455K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,400
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,683 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,647
+35%since 2000
from $19,052 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 33.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Finance & insurance12.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical10.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade10.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade10.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Information10.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$268,000
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $137,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,260
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $726 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 50.1% in 2000
55.1% rent
Afford Score
4.6
+56%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Plainfield on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic11.5%(5,508)
Black60%(28,698)
Hispanic / Latino25.2%(12,033)
Asian0.9%(428)
Other0%
Diversity Score67.7%(32,364)
2020
White, non-Hispanic6.2%(3,383)
Black34.9%(19,034)
Hispanic / Latino54.6%(29,792)
Asian0.9%(500)
Other3.4%(1,857)
Diversity Score71.9%(39,244)
Diversity Score
72
+6%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
77.5%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.9 min
+58%since 2000
from 20.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
65.9%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 60.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
18.3%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 13.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2011
from 74.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
23.9%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
48.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
36.2%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
24.7%
−46.5 ptssince 2013
from 71.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Plainfield to nearby cities

PLAINFIELD VS
North Plainfield
Income$87,349+50%
Home value$374,700+40%
Population22,879−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PLAINFIELD VS
Fanwood
Income$195,529+235%
Home value$635,200+137%
Population8,035−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PLAINFIELD VS
South Plainfield
Income$130,239+123%
Home value$470,900+76%
Population24,891−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PLAINFIELD VS
Dunellen
Income$86,967+49%
Home value$393,500+47%
Population8,337−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Plainfield, New Jersey?

Plainfield, New Jersey has about 54,586 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The typical household in Plainfield, New Jersey earns about $58,400 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 $268,000, and the typical rent is about $1,260 a month.

How educated are people in Plainfield, New Jersey?

About 20.8% 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 18.1% 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 8,019 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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