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CITY

South Plainfield

New Jersey · 24,891 residents (2025 est.) · 8.296 sq mi
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The short version

South Plainfield is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $130,239. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $470,900. Poverty is rare here, at 3.0% of residents. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 26% more than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,473
+12%since 2000
from 21,810 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,950 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 2,629 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.7
+10%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:24,891 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K22K24K25K1990201020202024South Plainfield
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$130,239
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,466 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$51,315
+103%since 2000
from $25,270 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
76.9%
+17.0 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.343
+6%since 2010
from 0.324 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade10.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Information8.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$470,900
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $166,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,107
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $976 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
14.1% rent
Vacancy rate
2.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.6%
−11.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.8%
+21.1 ptssince 2009
from 25.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+46%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Plainfield on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.9%(15,902)
Black8.2%(1,798)
Hispanic / Latino8.7%(1,888)
Asian7.5%(1,632)
Other0%
Diversity Score52.2%(11,380)
2024
White, non-Hispanic47.9%(11,726)
Black9.7%(2,375)
Hispanic / Latino17%(4,159)
Asian21.3%(5,217)
Other4.1%(996)
Diversity Score85.6%(20,956)
Diversity Score
86
+64%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.0%
+19.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.5%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.8%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.7 min
+65%since 2000
from 18.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.0%
−11.6 ptssince 2009
from 83.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.4%
+13.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.4%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 72.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.9%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
50.3%
−15.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
23.9%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.9%
−45.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2012
from 9.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.2%
−88.0 ptssince 2013
from 91.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.5%
+9.0 ptssince 2017
from 86.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
65.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 66.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 13.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare South Plainfield to nearby cities

SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Plainfield
Income$85,908−34%
Home value$410,800−13%
Population57,141+130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Dunellen
Income$86,967−33%
Home value$393,500−16%
Population8,337−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
North Plainfield
Income$87,349−33%
Home value$374,700−20%
Population22,879−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Metuchen
Income$158,052+21%
Home value$604,300+28%
Population15,363−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Plainfield, New Jersey?

South Plainfield, New Jersey has about 24,473 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in South Plainfield, New Jersey earns about $130,239 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Plainfield, New Jersey expensive?

In South Plainfield, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $470,900, and the typical rent is about $2,107 a month.

How educated are people in South Plainfield, New Jersey?

About 44.0% of adults age 25 and over in South Plainfield, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Plainfield, New Jersey?

About 3.0% of people in South Plainfield, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Plainfield, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, South Plainfield, New Jersey has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,984 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →