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CITY · 2020 ACS

South Plainfield

New Jersey · 24,338 residents · 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 $108,244. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $352,200. Poverty is rare here, at 3.1% of residents. Households here earn about 27% more than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,338
+12%since 2000
from 21,810 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,934 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 2,629 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.7
+7%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K22K24K25K1990201020202024South Plainfield
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$108,244
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,466 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,875
+62%since 2000
from $25,270 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
69.2%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
3.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade10.4%
US avg: 10%
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$352,200
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $166,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,675
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $976 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.7%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
19.3% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+32%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic47.6%(11,588)
Black10.3%(2,496)
Hispanic / Latino18.7%(4,555)
Asian18.8%(4,579)
Other3.3%(795)
Diversity Score85.4%(20,775)
Diversity Score
85
+64%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.9%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 24.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.7%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 84.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.9%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.7 min
+65%since 2000
from 18.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 83.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.4%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 72.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
43.1%
−22.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
21.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.6%
−86.6 ptssince 2013
from 91.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare South Plainfield to nearby cities

SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Plainfield
Income$85,908−21%
Home value$410,800+17%
Population57,141+130%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Dunellen
Income$86,967−20%
Home value$393,500+12%
Population8,337−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
North Plainfield
Income$87,349−19%
Home value$374,700+6%
Population22,879−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH PLAINFIELD VS
Metuchen
Income$158,052+46%
Home value$604,300+72%
Population15,363−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Plainfield, New Jersey?

South Plainfield, New Jersey has about 24,338 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in South Plainfield, New Jersey earns about $108,244 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 $352,200, and the typical rent is about $1,675 a month.

How educated are people in South Plainfield, New Jersey?

About 38.9% 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 3.1% 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 3,849 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

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