City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Plainfield, IN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Plainfield - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

35,783
Residents
$85,074
Median income
$263,900
Median home
$1,473
Median rent (state)

Plainfield - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Plainfield places in the 67th percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
58th
percentile, median rent
40th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Plainfield, IN

Indiana's Plainfield is a small city, with 35,783 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Plainfield households earn a median of $85,074 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.8%. Typical homes in Plainfield are valued around $263,900, and the median resident age is 38.0 years. 33.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 182 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 51% from five years earlier. Plainfield reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1693.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Indiana scores 93.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,473 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Indiana run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 76.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

35,783 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$85,074 /yr

Poverty 3.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Plainfield compare to other US cities?

Where Plainfield sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 58% pricier than other cities
Safety 40% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Indiana and the picture shifts: Plainfield ranks #75 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Plainfield's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Indiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

67thIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 40th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Plainfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Plainfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 50 Avg. percentile National median
Plainfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Plainfield's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$263,900 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Plainfield $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Plainfield, IN Plainfield, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Plainfield, IN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Plainfield, IN median $85,074/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Plainfield, IN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Plainfield, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
35,783
Median Income
$85,074
Median Home Value
$263,900
Median Age
38.0
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Labor force participation
59.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1693.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
246.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1447.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
34,000 residents36,000 residents38,000 residents40,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 34,903 residents 38,574 residents ▲ +10.5%
Plainfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
182
housing units authorized
Single-Family
140
detached homes
Multifamily
42
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 375
2020 217
2021 276
2022 355
2023 258
2024 182

Permit volume decreased 51% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.6%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
12.9%
Other
2.5%

Based on 17,101 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Indiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Indiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Plainfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,473/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.8 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Richmond
35,551 people
Merrillville
36,343 people
Valparaiso
34,377 people
Goshen
34,374 people
Crown Point
34,042 people
New Albany
37,589 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Plainfield's 35,783 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Norristown, PA
35,782 people
Inver Grove Heights, MN
35,772 people
Marion, OH
35,771 people
Parkland, FL
35,799 people
East Meadow, NY
35,806 people
Franklin, WI
35,751 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Plainfield's $85,074 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Oley, PA
$85,068 median income
Tipp City, OH
$85,081 median income
Aaronsburg CDP (Centre County), PA
$85,063 median income
Vamo, FL
$85,094 median income
South Vacherie, LA
$85,054 median income
Burnett, WI
$85,104 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Plainfield, IN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Plainfield, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.7% 8.7% 7.5% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.6% White 73.7% Black or African American 8.7% Asian 7.5% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 7.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Plainfield compares to nearby Indiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Plainfield (this city) 35,783 $85,074
Richmond 35,551 $46,395
Merrillville 36,343 $64,791
Valparaiso 34,377 $67,664
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Plainfield, IN?

What is the population of Plainfield, IN? +

Plainfield, IN counts 35,783 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Plainfield, IN? +

Plainfield households earn a median of $85,074 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Plainfield? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Plainfield; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Plainfield, IN safe? +

Plainfield has a total crime rate of 1693.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Plainfield, IN? +

A typical home in Plainfield is worth $263,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.