City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

North Plainfield, NJ

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

22,667
Residents
$83,529
Median income
$350,700
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

North Plainfield - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, North Plainfield lands in the 65th percentile for household income and the 42nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

65th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
42nd
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: North Plainfield, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 22,667 residents in North Plainfield, a small city within New Jersey. The typical household in North Plainfield brings in $83,529 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.9%. Home values in North Plainfield run a median of $350,700, and the median resident age is 36.9 years. 25.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in North Plainfield (No Permits), per Census BPS data. North Plainfield reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1612.4 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Jersey scores 108.8 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,205 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Workers in North Plainfield report an average commute of 29.0 minutes, with 68.1% driving alone and 7.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

22,667 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$83,529 /yr

Poverty 7.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does North Plainfield compare to other US cities?

Here's how North Plainfield stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 65% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 42% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Jersey, North Plainfield ranks #168 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison 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 North 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 New Jersey, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

65thIncome percentile
42ndSafety percentile

65th percentile nationally for median household income · 42nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

North Plainfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

North 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 43 Avg. percentile National median
North 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 North Plainfield's home value compares nationally

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

$350,700 28th percentile more affordable than 28% 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%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. North 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 - North Plainfield, NJ North Plainfield, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not North Plainfield, NJ-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 North Plainfield, NJ median $83,529/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%
North Plainfield, NJ'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 North Plainfield, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.6%

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

Population
22,667
Median Income
$83,529
Median Home Value
$350,700
Median Age
36.9
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor force participation
67.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1612.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
151.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1460.7
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
22,600 residents22,700 residents22,800 residents22,900 residents23,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 22,745 residents 22,879 residents ▲ +0.6%
North Plainfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 4
2021 6
2022 8
2023 1
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
29.0 minutes
Drive Alone
68.1%
Carpool
11.1%
Public Transit
5.0%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
7.9%
Other
7.2%

Based on 11,992 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Jersey - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Jersey 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 New Jersey state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county North Plainfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,205/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Summit
22,512 people
Roselle
22,455 people
Hillsborough
22,302 people
Glassboro
23,375 people
Parsippany
21,869 people
Lindenwold
21,534 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to North Plainfield's 22,667 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Avon, IN
22,683 people
Crystal, MN
22,685 people
Sun Valley, NV
22,697 people
Hialeah Gardens, FL
22,634 people
Corcoran, CA
22,626 people
Anthem, AZ
22,622 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to North Plainfield's $83,529 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sussex, VA
$83,531 median income
Carrollton, MS
$83,523 median income
Quail Creek, TX
$83,523 median income
Riverhead, NY
$83,521 median income
Lawndale, CA
$83,538 median income
Rancho Viejo, TX
$83,512 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - North Plainfield, NJ 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 North Plainfield, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.5% 20.9% 31.2% 16.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 53.7% White 27.5% Black or African American 20.9% Asian 3.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 31.2% Two or more races 16.6% 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 North Plainfield compares to nearby New Jersey cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
North Plainfield (this city) 22,667 $83,529
Summit 22,512 $199,107
Roselle 22,455 $82,967
Hillsborough 22,302 $142,275
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about North Plainfield, NJ?

What is the population of North Plainfield, NJ? +

North Plainfield, NJ counts 22,667 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in North Plainfield, NJ? +

Median annual household income in North Plainfield runs $83,529, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in North Plainfield? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for North Plainfield; the closest available measure is the New Jersey state average, a cost of living index of 108.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Jersey vary by metro area.

Is North Plainfield, NJ safe? +

North Plainfield has a total crime rate of 1612.4 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 North Plainfield, NJ? +

Homes in North Plainfield carry a median value of $350,700, 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

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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.