City profile
Plainfield, NJ
Union County · Population 55,236
Plainfield is a city in Union County, NJ with about 55,236 residents and a typical home value near $411,000. It is 15 miles from Newark, NJ, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
33°F
Summer avg
78°F
Sunny days / yr
205
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$410,800
Typical monthly housing
$2,995
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
121
Taxes
- Property tax
- 2.23%
- State income tax (top)
- 10.75%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.60%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 96/100
Top hazards: Strong wind, Winter weather, Riverine flooding
Nearest major airport
14 mi to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 61% Democratic / 37% Republican
Community
Population
55,236
Black population
33.4%
County
Union County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving NJ than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: coastal flooding, very high property taxes
Highlights
- About 55,236 residents
- Typical home value about $411,000
- 15 miles from Newark, NJ
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.