Plainfield, NJ
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Plainfield to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Plainfield, New Jersey

Life in Plainfield research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Plainfield over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Plainfield based on the most recently available data.

55,236 Population
$511,835 Median home value
$85,908 Median income
122 Cost of living +22% vs US
$1,767 Median rent
8.9% Unemployment
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Plainfield SnackAbility

6
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 6/10
Housing 8.5/10
Affordability 4/10
Diversity 9.5/10
Safety 6/10
Amenities 10/10
Education 5/10
Commute 4/10

Crime in Plainfield summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Plainfield. Key points include:

  • There were 1,131 total crimes in Plainfield in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Plainfield is 2,020.5 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Plainfield is 410.9 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Plainfield is 1,609.6 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Plainfield is -4.66% below the national average.

1,131
Total Crimes
-4.66%
Below National Average
Plainfield
US

Crime In Plainfield Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Plainfield
/ 100k People
New Jersey
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 1,131 2,020.5 1,645.1 2,119.2
Violent Crime 230 410.9 217.7 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 2.3 5.0
Robbery 58 103.6 49.3 61.0
Aggravated Assault 164 293.0 148.8 256.0
Property Crime 901 1,609.6 1,427.3 1,760.0
Burglary 76 135.8 145.3 229.0
Larceny 753 1,345.2 1,119.4 1,272.0
Car Theft 72 128.6 162.6 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Plainfield summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Plainfield. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around New Jersey. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Plainfield is 122 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Plainfield is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Plainfield is $511,835.

  • The median income in Plainfield is $85,908.

122
Plainfield's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average
Plainfield
US

Cost Of Living In Plainfield Comparison Table

Living Expense Plainfield New Jersey National Average
Overall 122 125 100
Services 109 107 100
Groceries 114 113 100
Health 146 155 100
Housing 116 116 100
Transportation 111 112 100
Utilities 115 113 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Plainfield, NJ Weather

  • The average high in Plainfield is 63.8° and the average low is 42.9°.

  • There are 78.6 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 48.5 inches of precipitation each year with 23.6 inches of snow.

StatPlainfield
Average Annual High63.8
Average Annual Low42.9
Annual Precipitation Days78.6
Average Annual Precipitation48.5
Average Annual Snowfall23.6
63.8°
Average High
78.6
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Plainfield, NJ Photos

Plainfieldc New Jersey Aerial View
Source: Wikipedia User Ken Lund | CC BY-SA 2.0
Bungalow In Plainfieldc New Jersey
Source: Wikipedia
Plainfield Neighborhood
Source: Wikipedia
Mcgreevyplainfieldhouse
Source: Wikipedia User David Liao | GFDL
Mg
Source: Wikipedia User Dreamyunicorn123 | CC BY-SA 3.0

1 Reviews & Comments About Plainfield

HomeSnacks User · None
rating starrating starrating star

I moved to Plainfield when I was two and lived in a big Victorian house w/ my 4 siblings, maternal grandmother, and parents. My parents had marital problems, etc. Lived there until age seven. A hard but happy family life. It was the best, most memorable place I lived in, and I've moved a lot. We knew all our neighbors. Plainfield used to be a grand" place to live, including the downtown district. My paternal grandparents lived there a while also. Wonderful memories too numerous to go into...a shame about the deterioration, crime, etc. That's partly why we had to move ! :-)"

Rankings & Articles For Plainfield

Locations Around Plainfield

Map Of Plainfield, NJ

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1

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2

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3

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4

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5

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6

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7

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8

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9

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10

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Plainfield Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Plainfield

The current population in Plainfield is 55,236. The population has increased 12.6% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 55,236 1.3%
2023 54,515 0.3%
2022 54,358 0.3%
2021 54,183 7.8%
2020 50,252 -0.2%
2019 50,362 -0.3%
2018 50,508 -1.2%
2017 51,097 1.0%
2016 50,578 -0.2%
2015 50,678 0.5%
2014 50,423 0.7%
2013 50,065 0.7%
2012 49,701 0.7%
2011 49,365 0.7%
2010 49,043 -

Race / Ethnicity in Plainfield

White 6.6% (3,634)
African American 32.5% (17,962)
American Indian 0.0% (0)
Asian 0.8% (428)
Hawaiian 0.0% (0)
Other 1.2% (662)
Two Or More 1.8% (994)
Hispanic 57.1% (31,556)
See the full breakdown

Plainfield is:

  • 6.6% White with 3,634 White residents.

  • 32.5% African American with 17,962 African American residents.

  • 0.0% American Indian with 0 American Indian residents.

  • 0.8% Asian with 428 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 1.2% Other with 662 Other residents.

  • 1.8% Two Or More with 994 Two Or More residents.

  • 57.1% Hispanic with 31,556 Hispanic residents.

Race Plainfield NJ USA
White 6.6% 50.9% 57.4%
African American 32.5% 12.2% 11.9%
American Indian 0.0% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 0.8% 10.0% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 1.2% 0.8% 0.6%
Two Or More 1.8% 3.5% 4.3%
Hispanic 57.1% 22.5% 19.3%

Gender in Plainfield

Female 49.3% (27,238)
Male 50.7% (27,997)
See the full breakdown
  • Plainfield is 49.3% female with 27,238 female residents.

  • Plainfield is 50.7% male with 27,997 male residents.

Gender Plainfield NJ USA
Female 49.3% 50.8% 50.5%
Male 50.7% 49.2% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Plainfield for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 18.0% (9,942)
9-12th Grade 10.0% (5,523)
High School / GED 29.0% (16,018)
Some College 15.0% (8,285)
Associate's Degree 5.0% (2,761)
Bachelor's Degree 15.0% (8,285)
Master's Degree 6.0% (3,314)
Professional Degree 1.0% (552)
Doctorate Degree 1.0% (552)
See the full breakdown
  • 18.0% of adults in Plainfield completed < 9th grade.

  • 10.0% of adults in Plainfield completed 9-12th grade.

  • 29.0% of adults in Plainfield completed high school / ged.

  • 15.0% of adults in Plainfield completed some college.

  • 5.0% of adults in Plainfield completed associate's degree.

  • 15.0% of adults in Plainfield completed bachelor's degree.

  • 6.0% of adults in Plainfield completed master's degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Plainfield completed professional degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Plainfield completed doctorate degree.

Education Plainfield NJ USA
< 9th Grade 18.0% 4.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 10.0% 5.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 29.0% 25.0% 26.0%
Some College 15.0% 15.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 5.0% 7.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 15.0% 26.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 6.0% 13.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 1.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 1.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Plainfield, New Jersey

Less than $10,000 3.2% (176,399)
$10,000 to $14,999 2.3% (127,438)
$15,000 to $24,999 4.3% (237,167)
$25,000 to $34,999 5.5% (301,407)
$35,000 to $49,999 10.8% (596,564)
$50,000 to $74,999 17.5% (967,419)
$75,000 to $99,999 15.4% (849,009)
$100,000 to $149,999 19.7% (1,088,955)
$150,000 to $199,999 11.2% (619,829)
$200,000 or more 10.1% (559,409)
See the full breakdown
  • 3.2% of households in Plainfield earn Less than $10,000.

  • 2.3% of households in Plainfield earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 4.3% of households in Plainfield earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 5.5% of households in Plainfield earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 10.8% of households in Plainfield earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 17.5% of households in Plainfield earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 15.4% of households in Plainfield earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 19.7% of households in Plainfield earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 11.2% of households in Plainfield earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 10.1% of households in Plainfield earn $200,000 or more.

Income Plainfield NJ USA
Less than $10,000 3.2% 4.1% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 2.3% 2.7% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 4.3% 4.8% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 5.5% 5.1% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.8% 7.6% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.5% 12.8% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 15.4% 11.3% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 19.7% 18.1% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 11.2% 11.8% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 10.1% 21.6% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)