Plainfield, New Jersey

History It was settled in 1684 by Friends, and incorporated as a city in 1869. Formerly a bedroom suburb in the New York metropolitan area, it has become the urban center of 10 closely allied municipalities, with diversified industries, including printing and the manufacture of chemicals, clothing, electronic equipment, and vehicular parts. Among the several 18th-century buildings remaining are a Friends' meetinghouse (1788), the Martine house (1717), and the Nathaniel Drake House (1746), known as George Washington's headquarters. Nearby Washington Rock, overlooking the Hudson River, is reputed to be the vantage point from which Washington watched British troop movements.

Geography Plainfield is located at 40°36'55" North, 74°24'58" West (40.615352, -74.416070)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²). 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 47,829 people, 15,137 households, and 10,898 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,057.4/km² (7,921.7/mi²). There are 16,180 housing units at an average density of 1,034.3/km² (2,679.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 21.45% White, 61.78% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 10.78% from other races, and 4.55% from two or more races. 25.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 15,137 households out of which 35.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% are married couples living together, 24.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% are non-families. 21.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.10 and the average family size is 3.49.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $46,683, and the median income for a family is $50,774. Males have a median income of $33,460 versus $30,408 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,052. 15.9% of the population and 12.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.3% are under the age of 18 and 12.6% are 65 or older.