South Plainfield, NJ Demographics

A map of South Plainfield's Population by Race

South Plainfield, New Jersey has an estimated population of 24,473, a less than 1% change from the 24,338 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 47.9% White, 21.3% Asian, 17.0% Hispanic, 9.7% Black, 3.1% Multiracial, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of South Plainfield, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

South Plainfield has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 South Plainfield, that probability was 69.1% in 2020 and 68.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

South Plainfield is ranked the 43rd 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). South Plainfield was ranked the 43rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

South Plainfield's White Population

11,726 residents of South Plainfield, or 47.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in South Plainfield is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. South Plainfield ranks 576th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Plainfield's White population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of South Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 47.9%.

South Plainfield is more White than neighboring Plainfield (6.6% White), North Plainfield (15.8% White), and Dunellen (39.7% White). South Plainfield is less White than neighboring Rutgers University-Livingston Campus (77.5% White), and Metuchen (58.7% White).

South Plainfield's Black Population

2,375 residents of South Plainfield, or 9.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in South Plainfield is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. South Plainfield ranks 116th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Plainfield's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.8%. Black residents' share of South Plainfield's population has decreased from 10.3% to 9.7%.

South Plainfield is more Black than neighboring Dunellen (4.9% Black), Rutgers University-Livingston Campus (4.4% Black), and Metuchen (4.7% Black). South Plainfield is less Black than neighboring Plainfield (32.5% Black), and North Plainfield (22.1% Black).

South Plainfield's Asian Population

5,217 residents of South Plainfield, or 21.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in South Plainfield is considerably higher than in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. South Plainfield ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Plainfield's Asian population has grown by an estimated 13.9%. Asian residents' share of South Plainfield's population has increased from 18.8% to 21.3%.

South Plainfield is more Asian than neighboring Plainfield (0.8% Asian), North Plainfield (4.1% Asian), Dunellen (6.1% Asian), Rutgers University-Livingston Campus (8.5% Asian), and Metuchen (17.9% Asian).

South Plainfield's Hispanic Population

4,159 residents of South Plainfield, or 17.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in South Plainfield is lower than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. South Plainfield ranks 141st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Plainfield's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 8.7%. Hispanic residents' share of South Plainfield's population has decreased from 18.7% to 17.0%.

South Plainfield is more Hispanic than neighboring Rutgers University-Livingston Campus (9.3% Hispanic), and Metuchen (8.4% Hispanic). South Plainfield is less Hispanic than neighboring Plainfield (57.1% Hispanic), North Plainfield (54.7% Hispanic), and Dunellen (45.2% Hispanic).

South Plainfield's Native American/Other Population

237 residents of South Plainfield, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in South Plainfield is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. South Plainfield ranks 48th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Plainfield's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 31.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of South Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

South Plainfield is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dunellen (0% Native American/Other), Rutgers University-Livingston Campus (0% Native American/Other), and Metuchen (0.8% Native American/Other). South Plainfield is less Native American/Other than neighboring Plainfield (1.2% Native American/Other), and North Plainfield (1.2% Native American/Other).

South Plainfield's Multiracial Population

759 residents of South Plainfield, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in South Plainfield is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. South Plainfield ranks 337th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Plainfield's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. Multiracial residents' share of South Plainfield's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

South Plainfield is more Multiracial than neighboring Plainfield (1.8% Multiracial), North Plainfield (2% Multiracial), and Rutgers University-Livingston Campus (0.3% Multiracial). South Plainfield is less Multiracial than neighboring Dunellen (4% Multiracial), and Metuchen (9.4% 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.