Plainfield, NJ Demographics

A map of Plainfield's Population by Race

Plainfield, New Jersey has an estimated population of 55,236, a slight increase from the 54,586 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 57.1% Hispanic, 32.5% Black, 6.6% White, 1.8% Multiracial, 1.2% Native American/Other, and 0.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Plainfield, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Plainfield has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New Jersey overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Plainfield, that probability was 57.6% in 2020 and 56.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Plainfield is ranked the 18th most populous place in New Jersey, out of 700 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Plainfield was ranked the 18th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Plainfield's White Population

3,634 residents of Plainfield, or 6.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Plainfield is significantly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Plainfield ranks 699th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Plainfield's White population has grown by an estimated 7.4%. White residents' share of Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.6%.

Plainfield is less White than neighboring North Plainfield (15.8% White), Watchung (69.9% White), Fanwood (69.4% White), South Plainfield (47.9% White), and Dunellen (39.7% White).

Plainfield's Black Population

17,962 residents of Plainfield, or 32.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Plainfield is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Plainfield ranks 21st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Plainfield's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Black residents' share of Plainfield's population has decreased from 34.9% to 32.5%.

Plainfield is more Black than neighboring North Plainfield (22.1% Black), Watchung (3.2% Black), Fanwood (3.9% Black), South Plainfield (9.7% Black), and Dunellen (4.9% Black).

Plainfield's Asian Population

428 residents of Plainfield, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Plainfield is lower than in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Plainfield ranks 574th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Plainfield's Asian population has declined by an estimated 14.4%. Asian residents' share of Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Plainfield is less Asian than neighboring North Plainfield (4.1% Asian), Watchung (12% Asian), Fanwood (6.9% Asian), South Plainfield (21.3% Asian), and Dunellen (6.1% Asian).

Plainfield's Hispanic Population

31,556 residents of Plainfield, or 57.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Plainfield is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Plainfield ranks 17th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Plainfield's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 5.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Plainfield's population has increased from 54.6% to 57.1%.

Plainfield is more Hispanic than neighboring North Plainfield (54.7% Hispanic), Watchung (8.8% Hispanic), Fanwood (11.2% Hispanic), South Plainfield (17% Hispanic), and Dunellen (45.2% Hispanic).

Plainfield's Native American/Other Population

662 residents of Plainfield, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Plainfield is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Plainfield ranks 51st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Plainfield's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Plainfield is more Native American/Other than neighboring Watchung (0.6% Native American/Other), Fanwood (0.6% Native American/Other), South Plainfield (1% Native American/Other), and Dunellen (0% Native American/Other).

Plainfield's Multiracial Population

994 residents of Plainfield, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Plainfield is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Plainfield ranks 592nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Plainfield's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Plainfield is less Multiracial than neighboring North Plainfield (2% Multiracial), Watchung (5.5% Multiracial), Fanwood (8% Multiracial), South Plainfield (3.1% Multiracial), and Dunellen (4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.