Plainfield, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plainfield, New Jersey had a total population of 55,236, the 18th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $85,908, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
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 | 54,515 | 55,236 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $80,334 | $85,908 | +6.9% |
| Median home value | $383,300 | $410,800 | +7.2% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Plainfield Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 137,302 | $66,555 | 15.8% | $449,300 |
| Linden | 44,192 | $92,915 | 9.6% | $419,700 |
| Westfield | 31,111 | $232,629 | 1.8% | $953,400 |
| Rahway | 30,109 | $91,461 | 9.5% | $386,400 |
| Summit | 22,705 | $190,304 | 5.5% | $994,500 |
| Roselle | 22,646 | $92,762 | 9.5% | $379,900 |
| Roselle Park | 14,093 | $109,679 | 6.6% | $443,200 |
| New Providence | 13,727 | $161,599 | 2.1% | $769,900 |
| Kenilworth | 8,401 | $118,611 | 6.3% | $522,200 |
| Fanwood | 7,799 | $195,529 | 0.9% | $635,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West New York | 52,004 | $71,729 | $465,600 | 33.5% | 19.4% |
| New Brunswick | 56,345 | $65,810 | $353,800 | 23.4% | 32.0% |
| Perth Amboy | 55,855 | $61,977 | $370,600 | 15.7% | 20.2% |
| Hackensack | 46,057 | $84,277 | $393,700 | 42.1% | 12.1% |
| Vineland | 61,006 | $67,860 | $240,700 | 24.1% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Plainfield is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Union County. The total population is 55,236. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainfield is 32.4 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 28.9% 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 $85,908. This is 17% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $410,800. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 44.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainfield is Hispanic or Latino, making up 57.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.5% vs 12.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (57.1% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 71.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Plainfield, New Jersey?
Plainfield, New Jersey has a population of 55,236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainfield, NJ?
The median household income in Plainfield is $85,908, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plainfield, NJ?
The poverty rate in Plainfield is 15.5%. This means approximately 8,419 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainfield, New Jersey?
Plainfield's population is 6.6% White, 32.5% Black, 57.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainfield, NJ?
The median home value in Plainfield is $410,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Plainfield, New Jersey?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Plainfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.