Plainfield, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plainfield, Illinois had a total population of 46,708, the 32nd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $144,000, which is 73% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 73% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.2% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 56.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Plainfield Quick Facts
How Plainfield Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,705 | 46,708 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $142,265 | $144,000 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $398,000 | $431,400 | +8.4% |
How Plainfield Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Plainfield Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Will County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | 150,445 | $92,201 | 11.1% | $265,800 |
| Romeoville | 41,152 | $106,325 | 5.5% | $257,100 |
| Oswego | 36,375 | $123,792 | 2.6% | $344,500 |
| New Lenox | 28,006 | $140,865 | 1.5% | $399,900 |
| Lockport | 26,409 | $111,981 | 6.8% | $316,000 |
| Crest Hill | 20,628 | $73,033 | 12.0% | $232,900 |
| Mokena | 20,021 | $123,889 | 4.5% | $401,400 |
| Shorewood | 18,343 | $122,105 | 5.2% | $337,800 |
| Channahon | 13,927 | $119,494 | 5.9% | $327,900 |
| Minooka | 12,891 | $115,445 | 2.6% | $315,600 |
Cities Similar to Plainfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenview | 47,752 | $143,056 | $609,600 | 68.3% | 6.0% |
| Elmhurst | 45,671 | $149,644 | $545,400 | 64.2% | 3.3% |
| Buffalo Grove | 42,891 | $129,395 | $412,300 | 68.7% | 7.2% |
| Downers Grove | 50,054 | $115,114 | $449,800 | 58.2% | 5.5% |
| Bartlett | 40,501 | $133,240 | $375,700 | 49.5% | 4.2% |
Population Overview
Plainfield is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Will County. The total population is 46,708. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainfield is 37.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Plainfield has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainfield is $144,000. This is 73% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 78% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.2%. This is 65% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $431,400. Housing costs are 64% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 88.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainfield is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.5% vs 5.9%).
Education
56.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Plainfield in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%. Notably, 20.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainfield, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Plainfield, Illinois?
Plainfield, Illinois has a population of 46,708 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainfield, IL?
The median household income in Plainfield is $144,000, which is 78% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plainfield, IL?
The poverty rate in Plainfield is 4.2%. This means approximately 1,932 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainfield, Illinois?
Plainfield's population is 66.4% White, 9.0% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainfield, IL?
The median home value in Plainfield is $431,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Plainfield, Illinois?
56.0% of adults (25+) in Plainfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.