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Plainfield, NJ


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Plainfield, New Jersey

Introduction to Plainfield, New Jersey

Plainfield, New Jersey, in Union county, is 8 miles N of Edison, New Jersey and 14 miles SW of Newark, New Jersey. Part of the surrounding Newark metro area, Plainfield is home to some 47,829 residents.

Plainfield History

Plainfield was first settled by Quakers in 1684. The city was incorporated in 1869. Originally, it was a part of the Westfield Township. The city includes a number of 18th-century buildings. Until March 6, 1878, Plainfield included parts of present-day Scotch Plains.

Plainfield and nearby Attractions

  • Drake House Museum
  • Washington Rock State Park
  • Crane Phillips Living Museum
  • Littell-Lord Farmhouse Museum

Things To Do In Plainfield

Plainfield is known as ‘The Queen City.’ There are several historic sites and museums in and around the city. You can also spend your leisure time in the local parks and playgrounds. The city of Plainfield also includes a number of restaurants, clubs and shopping centers.

Plainfield Transportation

Newark Liberty International is the closest major airport.

Plainfield Higher Education

Union County College is nearby.

High Points

Plainfield strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in New Jersey):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)
Top 4%trophyPlainfield Racial Diversity
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. State)
Top 8%Plainfield Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
(vs. Peers)
Top 11%Plainfield Public Transportation Use

Comparative Profile of Plainfield, NJ

Comparing Plainfield to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in New Jersey (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Racial Diversity1010
Children Under 5 Years Old810
Male Share of the Population77
Well-Paid Single Men52
Female Share of the Population44
Age of the Population41
Senior Citizens32

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size1010
Portion of People Married21

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Median Family Income52
People in Middle Class or Better41
College Educated Adults43
People Above Poverty31

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use98
Walking and Biking to Work910
Short Commute Times25
Working at Home12

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals99
Affordability of Rents47
People Living Alone34
Housing Recently Built12
Affordability of Property Taxes15
Seasonal and Vacation Housing12

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime62
Low Violent Crime11
Detailed pages on related topics: Colleges in Plainfield, Graduate Schools in Plainfield, Plainfield mortgage and property

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