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South Plainfield, New Jersey
Borough
Borough of South Plainfield
CSX Train Q410 going through the Metuchen Road Crossing in South Plainfield in 2005
CSX Train Q410 going through the Metuchen Road Crossing in South Plainfield in 2005
Motto(s): 
Vision - Family - Industry
Map of South Plainfield in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of South Plainfield in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of South Plainfield, New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of South Plainfield, New Jersey.
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Middlesex
Incorporated April 6, 1926
Government
 • Type Borough
 • Body Borough Council
Area
 • Total 8.33 sq mi (21.58 km2)
 • Land 8.30 sq mi (21.49 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2)  0.42%
Area rank 228th of 565 in state
12th of 25 in county
Elevation
82 ft (25 m)
Population
 • Total 23,385
 • Estimate 
(2019)
24,052
 • Rank 106th of 566 in state
12th of 25 in county
 • Density 2,808.5/sq mi (1,084.4/km2)
 • Density rank 17th of 25 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
07080
Area code(s) 732 and 908
FIPS code 3402369390
GNIS feature ID 0885402
Website

South Plainfield is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. It is located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 23,385, reflecting an increase of 1,575 (+7.2%) from the 21,810 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,321 (+6.4%) from the 20,489 counted in the 1990 Census.

South Plainfield was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1926, from portions of Piscataway Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on April 6, 1926. The borough's name derives from Plainfield, which derived its name from a local estate or from its scenic location.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 8.361 square miles (21.653 km2), including 8.327 square miles (21.566 km2) of land and 0.034 square miles (0.087 km2) of water (0.40%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Avon Park, Hadley Airport, Holly Park and Samptown.

The borough is bordered by Piscataway Township on the south and west, Edison Township on the east, both in Middlesex County, and Plainfield on the north and Scotch Plains both in Union County.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1930 5,047
1940 5,379 6.6%
1950 8,008 48.9%
1960 17,879 123.3%
1970 21,142 18.3%
1980 20,512 −3.0%
1990 20,489 −0.1%
2000 21,810 6.4%
2010 23,385 7.2%
2019 (est.) 24,052 2.9%
Population sources:1930
1930-1990 2000 2010

Census 2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 23,385 people, 7,876 households, and 6,175 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,808.5 per square mile (1,084.4/km2). There were 8,093 housing units at an average density of 971.9 per square mile (375.3/km2)*. The racial makeup of the borough was 66.74% (15,607) White, 10.10% (2,361) Black or African American, 0.37% (87) Native American, 14.68% (3,433) Asian, 0.03% (8) Pacific Islander, 4.79% (1,120) from other races, and 3.29% (769) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.24% (3,097) of the population.

There were 7,876 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the borough, the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 92.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $92,263 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,066) and the median family income was $98,913 (+/- $4,289). Males had a median income of $61,480 (+/- $7,597) versus $48,639 (+/- $4,924) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,495 (+/- $1,546). About 2.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 21,810 people, 7,151 households, and 5,856 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,609.8 people per square mile (1,007.3/km2). There were 7,307 housing units at an average density of 874.3 per square mile (337.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 77.74% White, 8.56% African American, 0.22% Native American, 7.57% Asian, 3.48% from other races, and 2.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.66% of the population.

There were 7,151 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $67,466, and the median income for a family was $72,745. Males had a median income of $47,465 versus $34,329 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,270. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Roads and highways

2021-06-23 10 19 59 View south along Interstate 287 (Middlesex Freeway) from the overpass for Middlesex County Route 529 (Stenton Road) in South Plainfield, Middlesex County, New Jersey
View southbound along I-287 in South Plainfield

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 108.02 miles (173.84 km) of roadways, of which 96.48 miles (155.27 km) were maintained by the municipality, 9.66 miles (15.55 km) by Middlesex County and 1.88 miles (3.03 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Interstate 287 passes through in the southern area of the borough for almost 2 miles (3.2 km), including exits 4 and 5. The New Jersey Turnpike is accessible in neighboring Edison Township (via I-287).

The major county roads that pass through include CR 501 (New Durham Road) along the southern border with Piscataway Township, CR 529 (Stelton Road) along the southwestern border with Piscataway and CR 531 (Park Avenue) along the east side of the borough, from Edison Township to the south to Plainfield to the north.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provided bus service between the borough and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 114 route, to Newark on the 65 route and local service on the 819 line.

Economy

Tumi Inc. is a manufacturer of suitcases and bags for travel that was founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford after serving in Peru with the Peace Corps.

PTC Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of small molecule, orally administered treatments for orphan diseases.

Jem Records (also known as JEM Records) was a record label that existed from 1970 to 1988, at the time principally known as the parent company of Passport Records; The label was resurrected in 2013 as Jem Recordings.

Sports

The Plainfield Curling Club is a curling club that owns and operates the only dedicated curling facility in New Jersey. Established in 1963, the club's two-sheet structure was completed in 1967.

Education

The South Plainfield Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2017–18 school year, the district, comprised of seven schools, had an enrollment of 3,402 students and 270.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.6:1. The schools in the district (with 2017-18 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics). are Franklin Elementary School (240 students; in grades K-4), John F. Kennedy Elementary School (273; PreK-4), John E. Riley Elementary School (328; PreK-4), Roosevelt Elementary School (412; PreK-4), Grant School (521; 5-6), South Plainfield Middle School (560; 7-8) and South Plainfield High School (1,029; 9-12).

Holy Savior Academy is a Catholic school serving students in preschool through eighth grade that operates under the supervision of Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.

Al-Minhaal Academy is a private Islamic school serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Lincoln Technical Institute's campus in South Plainfield (formerly known as Engine City Technical Institute) is an accredited, diesel technology school that was established in 1969 as a training center to accommodate the need for diesel mechanics.

Notable people

See also (related category): People from South Plainfield, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with South Plainfield include:

  • Anthony Ashnault (born 1995), freestyle wrestler.
  • John Bundy, magician and magic consultant.
  • Patrick J. Diegnan (born 1949), represents the 18th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly.
  • Greg Garbowsky (born 1986), bassist for Jonas Brothers.
  • Joshua Gomez (born 1975), appeared in the NBC series Chuck.
  • Rick Gomez (born 1972), actor best known for portraying Sgt. George Luz, in the HBO television miniseries Band of Brothers.
  • Ricky Gonzalez (born 1966), stock car racing driver.
  • Dontae Johnson (born 1991), cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.
  • Dennis Madalone (born 1960), stunt coordinator and musician, best known for his patriotic song "America We Stand As One".
  • Josh Pauls (born 1992), ice sledge hockey player who was the youngest member of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team that won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver and won gold again at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.
  • Michael Price (born 1958), WGA Award and Emmy Award winning writer and producer best known for his work on The Simpsons and as co-creator of the Netflix series F is for Family.
  • Michelle Visage (born 1968), radio DJ, singer, actress, producer, media personality, and television host who has appeared as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.

See also

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