South Plainfield, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Plainfield, New Jersey had a total population of 24,473, the 43rd largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $130,239, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.0% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
South Plainfield Quick Facts
How South 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 | 24,231 | 24,473 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $126,063 | $130,239 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $443,900 | $470,900 | +6.1% |
How South 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+)
South Plainfield Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | 56,345 | $65,810 | 32.0% | $353,800 |
| Perth Amboy | 55,855 | $61,977 | 20.2% | $370,600 |
| Sayreville | 45,838 | $99,979 | 6.2% | $444,100 |
| Old Bridge | 28,236 | $111,996 | 6.9% | $485,800 |
| Carteret | 25,496 | $96,862 | 8.2% | $405,800 |
| Woodbridge | 20,756 | $104,926 | 11.1% | $390,000 |
| Iselin | 19,551 | $109,500 | 7.9% | $426,800 |
| Colonia | 18,587 | $122,713 | 7.4% | $493,100 |
| Avenel | 17,121 | $101,670 | 7.9% | $401,000 |
| South River | 16,124 | $96,147 | 12.5% | $405,200 |
Cities Similar to South Plainfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 22,720 | $121,028 | $438,800 | 62.0% | 4.5% |
| Hillsborough | 22,585 | $144,112 | $435,700 | 60.6% | 2.7% |
| Paramus | 26,568 | $144,349 | $813,900 | 51.8% | 4.7% |
| Bergenfield | 28,450 | $130,045 | $491,500 | 48.3% | 7.1% |
| Secaucus | 21,778 | $139,821 | $571,900 | 63.1% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
South Plainfield is a small city located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 24,473. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Plainfield is 41.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Plainfield is $130,239. This is 26% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 61% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 69% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $470,900. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 85.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Plainfield is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 21.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (21.3% vs 10.1%).
Education
44.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 92.5%. Notably, 17.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South 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.
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 South Plainfield, New Jersey?
South Plainfield, New Jersey has a population of 24,473 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Plainfield, NJ?
The median household income in South Plainfield is $130,239, which is 61% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Plainfield, NJ?
The poverty rate in South Plainfield is 3.0%. This means approximately 723 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Plainfield, New Jersey?
South Plainfield's population is 47.9% White, 9.7% Black, 17.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 21.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Plainfield, NJ?
The median home value in South Plainfield is $470,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is South Plainfield, New Jersey?
44.0% of adults (25+) in South Plainfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.