North Plainfield, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

North Plainfield is a small city in New Jersey with a population of 22,667. Residents earn $83,529 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
22,667 Population 8,067/sq mi density
$83,529 Median Income $35,096 per capita
$350,700 Home Value $488,595 Zillow
$1,651 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
163 Violent Crime/100K 1,463 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$83,529 median income, 7.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$350,700 home value, $1,651/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
163 violent crimes/100K (57% below avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,529
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $350,700
24% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 163/100K
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.3%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,651
42% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.8%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.2%
100% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.9%
36% lower than US avg

How North Plainfield Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population22,667
Median Age36.9 yrs
Density8,067/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 28%

Economy

B+
Median Income$83,529
Per Capita$35,096
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty7.9%
County GDP$51,947M
Commute32 min

Housing

A
Home Value$350,700
Rent$1,651
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$488,595

Crime

F
Violent163/100K
Property1,463/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault72/100K
Burglary340/100K

Health

Obesity34.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.9%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain48.7 in/yr
Elevation80 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.3%
High School+83.8%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 61%
Commute32 min
EV Stations3
Libraries24

Is North Plainfield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, North Plainfield receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. North Plainfield offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in North Plainfield is $83,529, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 7.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in North Plainfield is $350,700, 24% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,651 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in North Plainfield is below the national average at 163 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,463 per 100,000, 25% below the national average.

Education

25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

North Plainfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.7 inches, including 21.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

North Plainfield has a population of 22,667 with a density of 8,067 people per square mile. The median age is 36.9 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (27.5%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 20.9% Black.

Population

22,667
Total Population
8,067
People / sq mi
36.9yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

North Plainfield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only45.5%
42% below US avg
Spanish54.5%
307% above US avg

Social Characteristics

North Plainfield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in North Plainfield is $83,529, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: North Plainfield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,529
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,096
Avg Weekly Wage$1,622
IRS Avg AGI$109,188

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.2%
100% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.9%
36% below US avg
Establishments (County)16,571
County GDP$51,947M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,317
Healthcare1,591
Retail1,861
Manufacturing523

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$13,532
287% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.5 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in North Plainfield is $350,700, 24% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,651 (42% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $488,595.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$350,700
24% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$488,595
Median List Price$489,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$489,000
$/Sq Ft$374
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio98.0%
Price Drops13.5%
Inventory37

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,651
42% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,226

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$13,532
287% above US avg
Effective Rate3.86%
In North Plainfield, 34.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.9% report depression. 30.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: North Plainfield vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.8%
8% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma8.9%
COPD5.0%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.6%
Physical Inactivity30.5%
Depression14.9%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.5%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death6,477/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access99.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,591
North Plainfield has a violent crime rate of 163 per 100,000 residents, 57% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,463 per 100,000 (25% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: North Plainfield vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent163.1/100K
57% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape4.5/100K
Robbery86.1/100K
Assault72.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,463.1/100K
25% below US avg
Burglary339.7/100K
Theft1,055.4/100K
Vehicle Theft67.9/100K
Arson18.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
North Plainfield has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.7 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall21.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation80 ft (24 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density8,067/sq mi
Coordinates40.6213°N, 74.4395°W
County FIPS34039
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 24.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37%
D 61.2%

Winner: Democrat by 24.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.3%
25% below US avg
High School+83.8%
School Test Score6.24
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density8,067/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities1,591
Restaurants1,317
Retail Stores1,861

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.5 min
Work from Home7.9%

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