Plainfield, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Plainfield is a small town in Iowa with a population of 379. Residents earn $75,500 per year, which is 0% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
379 Population 1,115/sq mi density
$75,500 Median Income $35,758 per capita
$132,700 Home Value $215,615 Zillow
$682 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$75,500 median income, 7.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$132,700 home value, $682/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,500
0% lower than US avg
Home Value $132,700
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.1%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $682
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.0%
94% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.8%
45% lower than US avg

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

People

Population379
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density1,115/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$75,500
Per Capita$35,758
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$1,581M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$132,700
Rent$682
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$215,615

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.4 in/yr
Elevation941 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.1%
High School+95.8%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 38%
Commute22 min
Libraries7

Is Plainfield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Plainfield receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Plainfield offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Plainfield is $75,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Plainfield is $132,700, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $682 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Plainfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Plainfield has a population of 379 with a density of 1,115 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

379
Total Population
1,115
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Plainfield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Plainfield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Plainfield is $75,500, which is 0% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Plainfield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,500
0% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,758
Avg Weekly Wage$1,011
IRS Avg AGI$84,332

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.0%
94% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.8%
45% below US avg
Establishments (County)749
County GDP$1,581M

Business (County)

Restaurants48
Healthcare73
Retail72
Manufacturing31

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,930
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Plainfield is $132,700, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $682 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $215,615.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$132,700
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$215,615
Median List Price$144,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$144,000
$/Sq Ft$130
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$682
41% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,930
41% above US avg
Effective Rate3.72%
In Plainfield, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 24.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.5%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity24.6%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.9%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death6,009/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access73.8%
Healthcare Facilities73

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Plainfield has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.4 inches
7% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation941 ft (287 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density1,115/sq mi
Coordinates42.8445°N, 92.5357°W
County FIPS19017
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 11.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.5%
D 38.3%

Winner: Republican by 22.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.1%
67% below US avg
High School+95.8%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,115/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities73
Restaurants48
Retail Stores72

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home7.9%

Nearby Cities

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