North Plainfield, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, North Plainfield, New Jersey had a total population of 22,809, the 45th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $87,349, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
North Plainfield Quick Facts
How North 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 | 22,667 | 22,809 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $83,529 | $87,349 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $350,700 | $374,700 | +6.8% |
How North 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
North Plainfield Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Somerset County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 22,720 | $121,028 | 4.5% | $438,800 |
| Hillsborough | 22,585 | $144,112 | 2.7% | $435,700 |
| Bradley Gardens | 14,165 | $177,849 | 4.2% | $546,300 |
| Somerville | 13,410 | $103,760 | 5.9% | $435,700 |
| Franklin Park | 13,211 | $114,946 | 11.0% | $336,600 |
| Bound Brook | 12,219 | $90,571 | 11.1% | $397,100 |
| Martinsville | 11,559 | $205,000 | 1.4% | $720,400 |
| East Franklin | 11,070 | $115,458 | 5.9% | $385,900 |
| Manville | 10,921 | $93,333 | 11.7% | $354,300 |
| The Hills | 10,785 | $154,564 | 3.8% | $577,000 |
Cities Similar to North Plainfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roselle | 22,646 | $92,762 | $379,900 | 27.1% | 9.5% |
| Glassboro | 23,717 | $87,278 | $314,400 | 43.0% | 13.4% |
| Parsippany | 21,345 | $99,405 | $555,400 | 59.8% | 6.7% |
| Elmwood Park | 21,412 | $101,740 | $483,700 | 35.1% | 11.6% |
| Harrison | 20,369 | $93,013 | $505,800 | 50.7% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
North Plainfield is a small city located in New Jersey, within Somerset County. The total population is 22,809. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in North Plainfield is 36.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in North Plainfield is $87,349. This is 16% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $374,700. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 53.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in North Plainfield is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.8%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.1% vs 12.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (54.7% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for North Plainfield, New Jersey 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 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. 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 North Plainfield, New Jersey?
North Plainfield, New Jersey has a population of 22,809 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in North Plainfield, NJ?
The median household income in North Plainfield is $87,349, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in North Plainfield, NJ?
The poverty rate in North Plainfield is 13.2%. This means approximately 3,000 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of North Plainfield, New Jersey?
North Plainfield's population is 15.8% White, 22.1% Black, 54.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in North Plainfield, NJ?
The median home value in North Plainfield is $374,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is North Plainfield, New Jersey?
24.3% of adults (25+) in North Plainfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.