Plainfield, NJ Local Data & Statistics

State: NJ

Total population: 55,236 Household income: $85,908 Rent: $1,767

Overview

Total population

55,236

Rent

$1,767

Year built

1952

Household income

$85,908

Per capita income

$30,960

Poverty rate

15.5%

Unemployment rate

6.3%

Household size

3.4 persons

Rent over 30% of income

54.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

New Jersey

Total population

55,236

Adults over 25

34,099

Total households

15,907

Household size

3.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$85,908

Per capita income

$30,960

Poverty rate

15.5%

Unemployment rate

6.3%

Rent over 30% of income

54.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,767

Year built

1952

Households that rent

55.2%

Households that own

44.8%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.2

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

9.1%

Black

33.4%

Asian

0.9%

Two or more races

8.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

57.1%

Not Hispanic or Latino

42.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

93.2%

Commute time to work

29 mins

Work from home

6.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

36.5%

High school graduate or GED

29.2%

Some college or associate degree

12.3%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

22%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Plainfield, NJ with: New Jersey United States

Plainfield, NJ

Total population55,236

Rent$1,767

Year built1952

Household income$85,908

Per capita income$30,960

Poverty rate15.5%

Unemployment rate6.3%

New Jersey State

Total population9,343,809

Rent$1,720

Year built1970

Household income$103,556

Per capita income$54,253

Poverty rate9.7%

Unemployment rate4.5%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityPlainfield, NJ	StateNew Jersey	CountryUnited States
Total population	55,236	9,343,809	334,922,499
Rent	$1,767	$1,720	$1,413
Year built	1952	1970	1980
Household income	$85,908	$103,556	$80,734
Per capita income	$30,960	$54,253	$44,673
Poverty rate	15.5%	9.7%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	6.3%	4.5%	4%

View the complete comparison of Plainfield, NJ, New Jersey and United States →

Summary for Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield is located in New Jersey.

Rent & Income

In Plainfield, the typical monthly rent is $1,767 and the typical household income is $85,908. Rent here is similar to New Jersey and higher than the U.S., and household income is lower than New Jersey and higher than the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 15.5%, which is higher than in both New Jersey and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 55.2% of households, making this a predominantly renter area. About 54.7% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 22% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, which is higher than both New Jersey and the national rate.

Plainfield, NJ — Rent vs Household Income

Plainfield, NJ — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Plainfield, NJ compares in New Jersey (17 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,767	14 / 17	from lower rent	$1,226 – $2,938
Household income	$85,908	4 / 17	from higher income	$40,546 – $180,579
Poverty rate	15.5%	5 / 17	from lower poverty	7.8% – 32%
Unemployment rate	6.3%	10 / 17	from lower unemployment	2.4% – 8.6%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in New Jersey with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Plainfield, NJ

Rent

Rent prices put Plainfield in 14th place among 17 large communities in New Jersey. Across New Jersey, rents range from $1,226 in Camden, NJ up to $2,938 in Hoboken, NJ.

Household income

For household income, Plainfield ranks 4th out of 17 large places. Across New Jersey, incomes range from $40,546 in Camden, NJ to $180,579 in Hoboken, NJ.

Poverty rate

Plainfield places 5th out of 17 large communities for poverty. Statewide figures move from 7.8% in Hoboken, NJ up to 32% in New Brunswick, NJ.

Unemployment rate

In terms of unemployment, Plainfield is ranked 10th out of 17 major areas. Across New Jersey, rates go from 2.4% in Hoboken, NJ up to 8.6% in Camden, NJ.

💰 Rent in Plainfield, NJ (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,767 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Plainfield, NJ

Annual Household Income: $85,908

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Plainfield, NJ

Estimated Rate: 15.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Plainfield, NJ

In Plainfield, NJ, households that rent: 8,782 (55.2%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	8,782	55.2%
Owner-Occupied	7,125	44.8%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Plainfield, NJ

In Plainfield, NJ, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 4,808 (54.7%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	4,808	54.7%
Other renter households	3,974	45.3%
Total renter households	8,782	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Plainfield, NJ

Less than High School: 12,446 people (36.5%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 9,972 people (29.2%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 4,190 people (12.3%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 7,491 people (22%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 34,099

📊 Unemployment Rate in Plainfield, NJ

Estimated Rate: 6.3%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Valdosta, GA55,222 Chicopee, MA55,213 Perth Amboy, NJ55,278 West Haven, CT55,147 Tigard, OR55,395 Smyrna, TN55,066 Bozeman, MT55,042 Tinley Park, IL55,007 Southaven, MS55,531 Anderson, IN54,930

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.