City · New Jersey
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield, city, in Union County, New Jersey. Plainfield had 57,141 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 54,586 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 55,236 (±56). GEOID 3459190.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
57,141
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 54,586 · ACS 2020-2024: 55,236 ±56
Median household income
$85,908
±$3,620 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$410,800
±$14,895 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,767
±$49 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
Where is Plainfield and what county is it in?
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey. It covers 6.0 square miles of land, 9,160 residents per square mile in 2020.
Plainfield is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 22 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Plainfield, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 57,141 people lived in Plainfield on July 1, 2025, up 4.7% since 2020, faster than New Jersey (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 54,586 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 55,236 (±56).
| Measure | Plainfield | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 55,236 ±56 | 579,290 | +4,874 |
| Households | 15,907 ±615 | 203,277 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.41 ±0.13 | 2.82 | +0.28 |
| Housing units | 16,712 ±610 | 212,385 | no clear change |
Plainfield's population since 2000
From 47,829 in 2000 to 57,141 in 2025: up 19.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Plainfield as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Plainfield?
The median resident of Plainfield is 32.4 years old; 28.9% are under 18 and 10.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 57.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 32.5%. 41.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Plainfield | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.4 ±0.9 | 39.1 | −2.2 |
| Under 18 years | 28.9% ±1.4 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.1% ±0.9 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Male | 50.7% ±1.5 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 57.1% ±2.6 pts | 35.2% | +11.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 6.6% ±1.1 pts | 35.4% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 32.5% ±2.5 pts | 19.1% | −6.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 41.9% ±2.1 pts | 33.6% | +4.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 58.4% ±3.0 pts | 47.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.0% ±0.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| With a disability | 7.5% ±1.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 28.0% ±2.0 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 71.8% ±2.3 pts | 86.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.0% ±2.5 pts | 38.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.4% ±1.2 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.8% ±2.4 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Plainfield earn?
Half of Plainfield's 15,907 households earn less than $85,908 a year (±$3,620), against $103,202 in Union County and $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 the median was $69,336 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $16,572 after inflation. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Plainfield | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $85,908 ±$3,620 | $103,202 | +$16,572 |
| Mean household income | $106,305 ±$5,258 | $149,595 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,960 ±$1,578 | $52,874 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.5% ±2.4 pts | 9.2% | −5.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.7% ±5.2 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.1% ±2.8 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±0.8 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.0% ±1.5 pts | 93.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Plainfield?
Owners occupy 44.8% of Plainfield's occupied homes and renters 55.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $410,800 by its owner (±$14,895). The median renter pays $1,767 a month including utilities, and 43.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Plainfield | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $410,800 ±$14,895 | $529,200 | +$94,266 |
| Median gross rent | $1,767 ±$49 | $1,730 | +$275 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.8% ±4.4 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,689 ±$84 | $3,203 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 44.8% ±2.5 pts | 57.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 55.2% ±2.5 pts | 42.6% | – |
| Housing units | 16,712 ±610 | 212,385 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6% ±1.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 42.3% ±2.7 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.1% ±0.8 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 35.7% ±2.8 pts | 23.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.7% ±1.9 pts | 10.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Plainfield building?
Builders took permits for 246 new housing units in Plainfield in 2025 (4 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 6 of 12 months), 4.3 per 1,000 residents against 2.9 across New Jersey.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Plainfield work and get to work?
58.0% of Plainfield's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.9%.
| Measure | Plainfield | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 73.5% ±1.9 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.9% ±1.7 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 58.0% ±2.5 pts | 60.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.8% ±1.5 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 5.2% ±1.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.7% ±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8% ±1.1 pts | 14.2% | +4.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.5 min ±1.2 | 30.2 min | −3.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Plainfield?
12 census tracts lie mostly in Plainfield (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $49,175 (Tract 393.02) to $149,956 (Tract 391).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 389Union County | 6,269 | $71,174 |
| Tract 392Union County | 6,255 | $83,828 |
| Tract 394Union County | 6,231 | $88,315 |
| Tract 397Union County | 5,596 | $101,010 |
| Tract 388Union County | 5,194 | $82,402 |
| Tract 390Union County | 4,557 | $85,294 |
| Tract 396Union County | 4,114 | $106,094 |
| Tract 395.02Union County | 3,603 | $67,604 |
| Tract 393.01Union County | 3,492 | $62,083 |
| Tract 391Union County | 3,410 | $149,956 |
| Tract 395.01Union County | 3,364 | $87,500 |
| Tract 393.02Union County | 3,151 | $49,175 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Plainfield) · Census block assignment files
How does Plainfield compare with other places in New Jersey?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Plainfield is the 725th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 14th-most populous of 323 in New Jersey.
Plainfield ranks 611th of 771 places in New Jersey with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 14th | 323 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 87th | 532 |
| Residents per square mile | 45th | 787 |
| Median household income | 611th | 771 |
| Per capita income | 741st | 785 |
| Median home value | 441st | 777 |
| Median gross rent | 358th | 701 |
| Poverty rate | 56th | 539 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 711th | 780 |
| Median age | 762nd | 786 |
| Owner-occupied share | 715th | 777 |
| Work from home | 655th | 695 |
| Travel time to work | 443rd | 787 |
Plainfield's figures with every place in New Jersey (CSV)
Every place in New Jersey, sortable · Compare Plainfield with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Plainfield?
6 of the 57 figures for Plainfield on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Plainfield are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Plainfield.