Population 55,090 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Plainfield: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Plainfield
Household size in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.14 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.50 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.18 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.52 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.38 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Plainfield is a place of big households: 3.52 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Household size has climbed from 3.14 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only two have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.5 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.5 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.0 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.5 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.0, Plainfield is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has dropped from 34.5 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only seven are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.0% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.9% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 21.8% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 27.8% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than a quarter of households in Plainfield (27.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 6.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only four of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Plainfield
Renters in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.5% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 51.2% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 55.6% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 54.8% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Plainfield rent: 54.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 23.6% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 7.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Plainfield than nationally: 6.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The New York area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy is down 5.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1950 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1954 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1947 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1953 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Plainfield is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1953, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only 35 have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,143 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,180 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,246 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,822 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$679 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
Rent in Plainfield runs $1,822 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the New York area as a whole ($2,060). Rents are up $679 a month from 2006–10, a 59% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.6% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Plainfield
Bachelor's degrees in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.0% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.3% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.2% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.6% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Plainfield: 20.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.5 points, in line with the national trend. Only 17 of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.9% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 71.3% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.5% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 70.6% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About three in ten adults in Plainfield never finished high school, well above the national share: only 70.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has fallen 3.3 points, even as the national rate rose. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only four have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Plainfield
| Period | Plainfield | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Plainfield runs well above the national rate: 8.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only 34 of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Plainfield compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield | 3.52 | 33.0 | 27.8% | 54.8% | 6.8% | 1953 | $1,822 | 20.6% | 70.6% | 8.8% |
| North Plainfield | 3.27 | 36.7 | 12.8% | 40.2% | 2.9% | 1949 | $1,901 | 23.0% | 78.9% | 8.2% |
| Watchung | 2.63 | 45.6 | 11.6% | 24.9% | 5.9% | 1976 | $2,544 | 59.6% | 94.7% | 6.7% |
| South Plainfield | 2.92 | 42.5 | 4.8% | 14.1% | 3.8% | 1971 | $2,133 | 44.5% | 92.0% | 5.2% |
| Fanwood | 2.88 | 42.6 | 7.5% | 15.1% | 2.8% | 1952 | $2,518 | 74.3% | 97.6% | 2.6% |
| Scotch Plains | 2.98 | 42.6 | 7.5% | 19.6% | 5.0% | 1961 | $2,106 | 66.2% | 97.1% | 3.2% |
| Dunellen | 2.90 | 44.4 | 11.6% | 31.2% | 6.0% | 1968 | $1,968 | 42.0% | 86.3% | 6.5% |
| Berkeley Heights | 2.80 | 46.1 | 3.8% | 8.9% | 3.6% | 1968 | $2,243 | 76.4% | 98.6% | 3.1% |
| Westfield | 2.93 | 41.8 | 6.0% | 19.3% | 3.5% | 1951 | $2,260 | 78.1% | 97.8% | 4.0% |
| Piscataway | 2.98 | 37.0 | 8.0% | 37.4% | 6.6% | 1976 | $2,154 | 55.7% | 92.0% | 7.9% |
| Middlesex | 2.63 | 42.4 | 16.0% | 25.2% | 3.5% | 1972 | $1,556 | 38.0% | 90.0% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Potomac, MD · Hollister, CA · Hyattsville, MD · Aloha, OR · Methuen Town, MA · Normal, IL · North Fort Myers, FL · North Highlands, CA · Oak Park, IL · Paramount, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Plainfield. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.