United States › New Jersey › South Plainfield CITY · 1990 CENSUS
South Plainfield New Jersey · 20,489 residents · 8.30 sq mi
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The short version
South Plainfield is a city of 20,489 people in New Jersey. 91% of homes are owner-occupied. The typical home is worth $161,200. Households take in $51,198 a year at the median, 70% more than the country as a whole. Renters pay $734 a month at the median. The poverty rate is 2.8%, under the national 13.2%.
At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 35.3
US median: 33.0
Average education
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01
Population & growth vs 38.0 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K 21K 22K 24K 25K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 South Plainfield Age distribution, 1990
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $51,198
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $67,466 in 2000
US average: $30,130
vs $25,270 in 2000
US average: $14,340
vs 3.4% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
$161,200
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $166,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
$734
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $976 in 2000
US average: $450
vs 89.1% in 2000
9.2% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 2000
White, non-Hispanic 72.9%(15,902)
Hispanic / Latino 8.7%(1,888)
1990
White, non-Hispanic 87.8%(17,981)
Hispanic / Latino 4.5%(920)
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
+ 35 more ancestry groups with data vs 24.0% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
vs 84.3% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
vs 6.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06
Commute & transportation vs 18.0 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married 28.5%(2,885)
Women 15+
Never married 23.9%(2,426)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 8.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 73.1% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 15.5% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 18.1% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 8.9% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 1.2% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 84.5% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 25.3% 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) 9.5%(54)
Gulf War (1990s) 23.6%(134)
Share of the 569 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 South Plainfield Head to head
Compare South Plainfield to nearby cities SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Plainfield
Income $85,908 +68%
Home value $410,800 +155%
Population 57,141 +130%
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SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Dunellen
Income $86,967 +70%
Home value $393,500 +144%
Population 8,337 −67%
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SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
North Plainfield
Income $87,349 +71%
Home value $374,700 +132%
Population 22,879 −8%
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Metuchen
Income $158,052 +209%
Home value $604,300 +275%
Population 15,363 −38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in South Plainfield, New Jersey? South Plainfield, New Jersey has about 20,489 residents according to the 1990 Census.
What is the median household income in South Plainfield, New Jersey? The typical household in South Plainfield, New Jersey earns about $51,198 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 $161,200, and the typical rent is about $734 a month.
How educated are people in South Plainfield, New Jersey? About 18.6% 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 2.8% of people in South Plainfield, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.
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