South Plainfield, New Jersey Income Statistics
South Plainfield Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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B
South Plainfield Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | South Plainfield | New Jersey Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $132,460 | $103,817 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $79,772 | $76,200 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.8% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 21.5% | 19.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 26.7% | 21.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in South Plainfield is about 28% higher than in New Jersey. Income has been growing faster in South Plainfield (4.8%/yr) than in New Jersey (4.4%/yr).
About 21% of adults in South Plainfield earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the New Jersey average of 20%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in South Plainfield, New Jersey grew by 47.5% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $132,460 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in South Plainfield
| Metric | South Plainfield | New Jersey Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.517 | 0.544 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $91,778 | $87,197 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $80,754 | $70,502 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.0% | 19.1% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In South Plainfield, it is 0.517, lower than New Jersey's 0.544, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 14% more than women's income in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Over a 35-year career, a 14% wage gap accumulates to roughly $385,840 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in South Plainfield, New Jersey has narrowed from about 23% to 12% in 2024. Over that period the gap in 2022 women out-earned men by 1%. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,434 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | South Plainfield | New Jersey Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 16.4% | 16.8% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 27 | 26 | 22 |
Approximately 754 people are unemployed in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
The average commute time in South Plainfield is 27 minutes, longer than the 26 minutes in New Jersey.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in South Plainfield, New Jersey has fallen from 8.8% to 5.6% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.9% in 2013.
South Plainfield, NJ Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How South Plainfield, NJ compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Plainfield, NJ | 24,492 | $132,460 #1/3 | 4.8%/yr #2/3 | 5.6% #1/3 | 0.517 #1/3 |
| Plainfield, NJ | 55,158 | $85,453 | 5.6%/yr | 8.9% | 0.548 |
| North Plainfield, NJ | 22,787 | $86,051 | 2.3%/yr | 8.8% | 0.536 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, South Plainfield, New Jersey has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than New Jersey, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
How Rich Is South Plainfield, New Jersey?
South Plainfield has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $132,460, about 28% higher than the New Jersey average of $103,817.
Are incomes growing in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in South Plainfield, New Jersey rose 47%, from $89,830 to $132,460. Over the same years, income here lagged behind New Jersey as a whole: +47% against +50%.
What was the median household income in South Plainfield in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in South Plainfield, New Jersey was $126,734, up 3% from $123,124 in 2022. The New Jersey median that year was $101,191.
What was the median household income in South Plainfield in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in South Plainfield, New Jersey was $111,534. By 2024 it had risen 19% to $132,460.
What is the Gini coefficient in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The Gini coefficient in South Plainfield is 0.517. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in South Plainfield, New Jersey has narrowed from about 23% to 12% in 2024. Over that period the gap in 2022 women out-earned men by 1%. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,434 since 2009.
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