Population 6,036 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Plainsboro
Household size in Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.23 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.11 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.96 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.94 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.29 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Plainsboro are large by national standards, averaging 2.94 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has dropped from 3.23 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.8 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.0 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.7 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.2 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.5 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.2, Plainsboro is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 38.8 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the northeast.
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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.1% of households in Plainsboro, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Plainsboro has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five New Jersey cities.
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 Plainsboro
Renters in Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.6% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Plainsboro is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 37.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 1.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.6% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.7% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Plainsboro: just 4.1% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.6 points, a smaller 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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Plainsboro has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Only 16 of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people have newer 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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,626 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,653 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,294 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,229 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$603 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
The median renter in Plainsboro pays $2,229 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $603 a month from 2006–10, a 37% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.3% of the typical renter's income, just under 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 Plainsboro
Bachelor's degrees in Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.7% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 75.9% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 82.0% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 84.5% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.8 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Plainsboro is highly educated: just over eight in ten adults 25 and older (84.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only three have a higher 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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.9% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.9% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.8% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.0% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Plainsboro: 97.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Plainsboro has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five New Jersey cities.
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 Plainsboro
| Period | Plainsboro | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Plainsboro has been strong: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only seven of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Plainsboro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainsboro | 2.94 | 46.2 | 4.1% | 18.9% | 4.1% | 1992 | $2,229 | 84.5% | 97.0% | 2.3% |
| Princeton Meadows | 2.49 | 35.9 | 6.3% | 69.3% | 2.8% | 1985 | $2,022 | 79.1% | 98.4% | 4.6% |
| Kingston | 2.27 | 51.6 | 1.9% | 22.1% | 2.9% | 1954 | $1,953 | 59.9% | 98.5% | 2.4% |
| Penns Neck | 2.71 | 33.6 | 21.5% | 52.8% | 6.7% | 2002 | $2,207 | 81.7% | 95.8% | 7.3% |
| Princeton | 2.56 | 40.2 | 7.0% | 38.1% | 7.8% | 1977 | $2,272 | 83.3% | 97.1% | 4.4% |
| Cranbury | 2.60 | 51.5 | 5.6% | 30.9% | 3.8% | 1986 | $1,801 | 59.9% | 96.3% | 3.5% |
| Heathcote | 2.38 | 41.9 | 4.1% | 26.2% | 1.5% | 1988 | $1,891 | 65.7% | 93.8% | 3.9% |
| Princeton Junction | 2.79 | 46.9 | 4.2% | 25.3% | 3.2% | 1987 | $2,515 | 84.4% | 98.3% | 3.1% |
| Monmouth Junction | 2.82 | 40.0 | 5.5% | 36.1% | 2.2% | 1989 | $2,094 | 65.6% | 94.8% | 5.7% |
| Dayton | 2.97 | 42.3 | 2.6% | 11.3% | 2.2% | 1992 | $2,531 | 71.1% | 94.4% | 5.9% |
| Rocky Hill | 2.34 | 50.6 | 7.5% | 34.4% | 0.7% | 1973 | $1,922 | 71.0% | 97.7% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Clinton, NJ · Cold Spring, KY · Colby, KS · Colbert, GA · Cohutta, GA · Cohasset, MN · Cochranville, PA · Cochituate, MA · Cobleskill, NY · Coats, NC
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 Plainsboro. 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.
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