Plainfield city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Plainfield city, New Jersey has a total population of 54,515, the 18th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $80,334, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Plainfield city Quick Facts
How Plainfield city 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+)
Plainfield city Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth city | 135,887 | $63,874 | 15.3% | $393,500 |
| Linden city | 43,614 | $91,036 | 9.0% | $387,200 |
| Westfield town | 30,760 | $212,700 | 2.1% | $930,500 |
| Rahway city | 29,748 | $90,852 | 6.8% | $362,300 |
| Summit city | 22,512 | $199,107 | 3.9% | $969,900 |
| Roselle borough | 22,455 | $82,967 | 10.4% | $336,500 |
| Roselle Park borough | 13,965 | $104,418 | 5.1% | $405,800 |
| New Providence borough | 13,577 | $162,877 | 2.1% | $734,300 |
| Kenilworth borough | 8,339 | $126,295 | 6.0% | $521,100 |
| Fanwood borough | 7,714 | $176,667 | 1.4% | $610,600 |
Cities Similar to Plainfield city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West New York town | 51,683 | $67,139 | $410,200 | 33.5% | 21.4% |
| New Brunswick city | 55,744 | $60,248 | $316,800 | 24.0% | 31.6% |
| Perth Amboy city | 55,278 | $58,490 | $339,200 | 15.2% | 20.0% |
| Hackensack city | 45,768 | $82,212 | $370,300 | 41.7% | 11.3% |
| Vineland city | 60,692 | $65,854 | $218,200 | 23.4% | 13.9% |
Population Overview
Plainfield city is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Union County. The total population is 54,515. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainfield city is 33.0 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Plainfield city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainfield city is $80,334. This is 21% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 2% higher. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $383,300. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 42.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainfield city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 55.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.7%) is well below the state average of 51.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.6% vs 12.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (55.6% vs 21.9%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 72.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainfield city, 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.
Free data download: Get all New Jersey city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Plainfield city, New Jersey?
Plainfield city, New Jersey has a population of 54,515 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainfield city, NJ?
The median household income in Plainfield city is $80,334, which is 2% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Plainfield city, NJ?
The poverty rate in Plainfield city is 17.1%. This means approximately 9,196 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainfield city, New Jersey?
Plainfield city's population is 7.7% White, 32.6% Black, 55.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainfield city, NJ?
The median home value in Plainfield city is $383,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Plainfield city, New Jersey?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Plainfield city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.