Town · Vermont
Plainfield, Vermont
Plainfield, town, in Washington County, Vermont. Plainfield had 1,218 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,236 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,314 (±184). GEOID 5002355825.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,218
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,236 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,314 ±184
Median household income
$69,250
±$31,481 (90% margin)
Vermont: $81,203
Median home value
$318,400
±$33,672 (90% margin)
Vermont: $316,600
Median gross rent
$1,153
±$103 (90% margin)
Vermont: $1,234
Where is Plainfield and what county is it in?
Plainfield is a town in Washington County, Vermont. It covers 21.0 square miles of land, 59 residents per square mile in 2020.
One place lies inside Plainfield: Plainfield (CDP, 424 in 2020).
Plainfield is in the Barre, VT micropolitan statistical area (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 1,218 people lived in Plainfield on July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Vermont grew 0.2%. The 2020 Census counted 1,236 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,314 (±184).
| Measure | Plainfield | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,314±184 | 60,017 | no clear change |
| Households | 585±116 | 25,855 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.19±0.27 | 2.26 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 612±119 | 31,004 | no clear change |
Plainfield's population since 2000
From 1,286 in 2000 to 1,218 in 2025: down 5.3%. 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 48.1 years old; 16.3% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.8%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Plainfield | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.1±5.5 | 43.8 | +9.6 |
| Under 18 years | 16.3%±5.0 pts | 18.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.1%±5.1 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Male | 49.7%±5.5 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8%±2.8 pts | 2.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.4%±5.0 pts | 91.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±1.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±3.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0%±1.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±2.1 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 13.4%±4.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.5%±1.6 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.1%±1.5 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 48.2%±6.8 pts | 48.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 24.3%±5.4 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.5%±3.7 pts | 89.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3%±3.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 585 households earn less than $69,250 a year (±$31,481), against $83,449 in Washington County and $81,203 in Vermont. In 2015-2019 it was $61,535 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Plainfield | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,250±$31,481 | $83,449 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,980±$10,344 | $108,553 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,530±$4,368 | $47,977 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±5.8 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.3%±20.0 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.3%±3.0 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.8%±2.1 pts | 95.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7%±4.6 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 80.9% of Plainfield's occupied homes and renters 19.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $318,400 by its owner (±$33,672). The median renter pays $1,153 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Plainfield | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $318,400±$33,672 | $315,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,153±$103 | $1,163 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 19.6%±21.1 pts | 30.7% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,897±$170 | $1,942 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.9%±12.2 pts | 73.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 19.1%±12.2 pts | 26.3% | – |
| Housing units | 612±119 | 31,004 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±5.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±9.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.0%±11.9 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1%±1.3 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.7%±3.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 45.4%±10.5 pts | 27.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.2%±2.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
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 6 new housing units in Plainfield in 2025 (6 in single-family houses), 4.9 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across Vermont.
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?
79.2% of Plainfield's workers drive alone and 16.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.0 minutes.
| Measure | Plainfield | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.3%±6.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.2%±5.7 pts | 69.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.0%±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±3.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.4%±5.3 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.0 min±2.7 | 23.4 min | no clear change |
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?
No census tract lies mostly in Plainfield; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9540Washington County | 4,756 | $71,365 |
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 Vermont?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Plainfield is the 6,842nd-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 137th-most populous of 237 in Vermont.
Plainfield ranks 142nd of 198 places in Vermont with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 137th | 237 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 119th | 173 |
| Residents per square mile | 116th | 202 |
| Median household income | 142nd | 198 |
| Per capita income | 116th | 202 |
| Median home value | 76th | 201 |
| Median gross rent | 87th | 187 |
| Poverty rate | 59th | 162 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 59th | 200 |
| Median age | 67th | 202 |
| Owner-occupied share | 102nd | 201 |
| Work from home | 87th | 185 |
| Travel time to work | 110th | 202 |
Plainfield's figures with every place in Vermont (CSV)
Every place in Vermont, 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?
18 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' school search.