City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

South Plainfield, NJ

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

24,231
Residents
$126,063
Median income
$443,900
Median home
$2,486
Median rent (state)

South Plainfield - the verdict

South Plainfield ranks in the 89th percentile for household income and the 31st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

89th
percentile, household income
81st
percentile, home value
91st
percentile, median rent
31st
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: South Plainfield, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 24,231 residents in South Plainfield, a small city within New Jersey. South Plainfield households earn a median of $126,063 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.0%. Typical homes in South Plainfield are valued around $443,900, and the median resident age is 41.7 years. Educational attainment runs 42.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 64.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 63 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 142% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2048.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Jersey at 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,486 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for South Plainfield workers runs 24.6 minutes, with 75.6% driving alone and 12.3% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

24,231 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$126,063 /yr

Poverty 3.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does South Plainfield compare to other US cities?

South Plainfield measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 89% higher than other cities
Home value 81% pricier than other cities
Median rent 91% pricier than other cities
Safety 31% 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, South Plainfield ranks #189 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 South 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.

89thIncome percentile
31stSafety percentile

89th percentile nationally for median household income · 31st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Plainfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South 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 45 Avg. percentile National median
South 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 South Plainfield's home value compares nationally

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

$443,900 19th percentile more affordable than 19% 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%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. South 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 - South Plainfield, NJ South Plainfield, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South 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 South Plainfield, NJ median $126,063/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%
South 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 South Plainfield, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 42.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.4%

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

Population
24,231
Median Income
$126,063
Median Home Value
$443,900
Median Age
41.7
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Labor force participation
64.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
42.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2048.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
117.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1930.5
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
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
24,000 residents24,200 residents24,400 residents24,600 residents24,800 residents25,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 24,273 residents 24,891 residents ▲ +2.5%
South Plainfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
63
housing units authorized
Single-Family
33
detached homes
Multifamily
30
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 26
2020 31
2021 98
2022 73
2023 88
2024 63

Permit volume increased 142% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.6 minutes
Drive Alone
75.6%
Carpool
8.0%
Public Transit
2.1%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
12.3%
Other
0.7%

Based on 12,402 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 South Plainfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,486/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Somerset
23,851 people
Glassboro
23,375 people
Carteret
25,187 people
Cliffside Park
25,580 people
North Plainfield
22,667 people
Lodi
25,946 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Plainfield's 24,231 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Frederickson, WA
24,219 people
Palmetto Bay, FL
24,247 people
Westmont, IL
24,201 people
Johnston, IA
24,196 people
Columbus, NE
24,188 people
Liberty Triangle, FL
24,178 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Plainfield's $126,063 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Dogtown, CA
$126,042 median income
East Richmond Heights, CA
$126,042 median income
Upper Red Hook, NY
$126,042 median income
Lemont, IL
$126,100 median income
Hainesville, IL
$126,125 median income
Detroit, KS
$126,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South 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 South Plainfield, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 54.9% 11.0% 16.0% 9.2% 8.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.6% White 54.9% Black or African American 11.0% Asian 16.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 9.2% Two or more races 8.4% 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 South 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
South Plainfield (this city) 24,231 $126,063
Somerset 23,851 $113,603
Glassboro 23,375 $80,388
Carteret 25,187 $87,553
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Plainfield, NJ?

What is the population of South Plainfield, NJ? +

24,231 people live in South Plainfield, NJ according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in South Plainfield runs $126,063, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Plainfield? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South 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 South Plainfield, NJ safe? +

South Plainfield has a total crime rate of 2048.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 South Plainfield, NJ? +

South Plainfield's median home value sits at $443,900, 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

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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.