North Plainfield borough, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, North Plainfield borough, New Jersey has a total population of 22,667, the 46th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $83,529, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
North Plainfield borough Quick Facts
How North Plainfield borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
North Plainfield borough Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Somerset County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerville borough | 12,958 | $103,869 | 6.2% | $403,600 |
| Bound Brook borough | 12,023 | $80,876 | 10.6% | $362,900 |
| Manville borough | 10,870 | $93,872 | 12.3% | $321,100 |
| Raritan borough | 8,192 | $103,699 | 7.0% | $449,200 |
| Bernardsville borough | 7,871 | $231,006 | 1.0% | $737,600 |
| Watchung borough | 6,429 | $166,536 | 2.1% | $833,300 |
| South Bound Brook borough | 4,833 | $102,019 | 16.4% | $345,300 |
| Peapack and Gladstone borough | 2,547 | $184,231 | 2.4% | $843,400 |
| Far Hills borough | 1,004 | $152,188 | 5.3% | $798,900 |
| Rocky Hill borough | 814 | $127,344 | 4.3% | $608,200 |
Cities Similar to North Plainfield borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roselle borough | 22,455 | $82,967 | $336,500 | 26.1% | 10.4% |
| Glassboro borough | 23,375 | $80,388 | $276,900 | 41.0% | 16.4% |
| Carteret borough | 25,187 | $87,553 | $370,200 | 27.7% | 10.0% |
| Parsippany CDP | 21,869 | $102,152 | $540,800 | 60.0% | 5.9% |
| Lodi borough | 25,946 | $84,570 | $449,200 | 28.2% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
North Plainfield borough is a small city located in New Jersey, within Somerset County. The total population is 22,667. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in North Plainfield borough is 36.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in North Plainfield borough is $83,529. This is 17% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 6% higher. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 9.6%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $350,700. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in North Plainfield borough is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.8%) is well below the state average of 51.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.0% vs 12.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (53.7% vs 21.9%). The Asian population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for North Plainfield borough, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of North Plainfield borough, New Jersey?
North Plainfield borough, New Jersey has a population of 22,667 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in North Plainfield borough, NJ?
The median household income in North Plainfield borough is $83,529, which is 6% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in North Plainfield borough, NJ?
The poverty rate in North Plainfield borough is 14.0%. This means approximately 3,180 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of North Plainfield borough, New Jersey?
North Plainfield borough's population is 18.8% White, 20.0% Black, 53.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in North Plainfield borough, NJ?
The median home value in North Plainfield borough is $350,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is North Plainfield borough, New Jersey?
25.3% of adults (25+) in North Plainfield borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.