Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city of 55,236 people in Union County, New Jersey, founded in 1847.
Why visit Plainfield
Townapedia lists 29 museums and landmarks, 21 parks and trails, 31 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Cinemark Watchung and XD, Bowcraft Amusement Park, Crescent Area Historic District and Dr. John Vermeule House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 24°F, and about 21 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Plainfield
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Plainfield
Plainfield is a city in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Nicknamed "The Queen City," it serves as both a regional hub for Central New Jersey and a bedroom suburb of the New York Metropolitan area, located in the Raritan Valley region. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population, majority Latino for the first time, was 54,586. This was an increase of 4,778 (+9.6%) from the 2010 census count of 49,808, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,979 (+4.1%) from the 47,829 counted in the 2000 census.
From the Wikipedia article Plainfield, New Jersey (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Bowcraft Amusement Park
Monument and historic site · 3.8 mi
Amusement park in New Jersey, United States
Museums and landmarks29
Crescent Area Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic district in Plainfield, New Jersey
Dr. John Vermeule House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Historic house in Green Brook, New Jersey
Elizabeth and Gershom Frazee House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Historic house in Union County, New Jersey
Fanwood
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
NJ Transit rail station
Firehouse No. 4
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Fire station in New Jersey, United States of America
George A. Strong House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic house in Plainfield, New Jersey
Hillside Avenue Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic district in Plainfield, New Jersey
Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Historic house at Oak Ridge Park, New Jersey
John De Camp House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi
Historic house in New Jersey, United States
Laing House of Plainfield Plantation
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Historic house in New Jersey, United States
Littel-Lord Farmstead
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Building in New Jersey, United States
Nathaniel Drake House
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic house in Plainfield, New Jersey
17 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds21
Cedar Brook Park
Park · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic park in New Jersey
_at_Union_County_Route_601_(7th_Street)_in_Plainfield,_Union_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Green Brook Park
Park · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Park in Plainfield and North Plainfield, New Jersey
9 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes31
Brisas Bakery & Restaurant
Restaurant · Latin American, Colombian, Bakery, Coffee Shop · 0.7 mi
The Official Empanada of the New York Red Bulls
214 Somerset Street, North Plainfield
Mo-Su 05:00-21:00
IHOP
Restaurant · Breakfast, Pancake · 2.0 mi
1120 Route 22, North Plainfield
Mo-Th,Su 07:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 07:00-23:00
Texas Roadhouse
Restaurant · Steak House · 2.0 mi
1258 Route 22, North Plainfield
Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Red Tower II
Restaurant · Breakfast, Burger, Fries · 1.6 mi
Restaurant
864 US- 22, North Plainfield
The Brook
Restaurant · Burger · 1.2 mi
Burgers, Fries, Shakes
58 Greenbrook Road, North Plainfield
19 more on the map.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship42
Grace Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places
Old Baptist Parsonage
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Saint Mary's Catholic Church Complex
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Scotch Plains Baptist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Terrill Road Bible Chapel
Church · Evangelical · 1.9 mi
535 Terrill Road, Fanwood
Saint Stephen the Protomartyr Church
Church · Antiochian Orthodox · 1.9 mi
609 Lane Avenue, South Plainfield
Evangel Church
Church · Assemblies Of God · 2.2 mi
1251 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains
Shopping13
Gas and EV charging14
Schools, colleges and libraries91
College Achieve Central Charter School
School · 1.4 mi
365 Emerson Ave, Plainfield
Cresthaven Academy Charter School
School · 0.6 mi
530 West 7Th Street, Plainfield
Healthcare4
JFK-Muhlenberg Campus Satellite Emergency Department
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.8 mi
Atlantic Health Urgent Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.8 mi
2301 Park Avenue, South Plainfield
Map of Plainfield
248 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 24°F | 3.8 in | 5.1 in |
| Feb | 44°F | 26°F | 3.1 in | 8.3 in |
| Mar | 53°F | 32°F | 4.3 in | 5.3 in |
| Apr | 66°F | 42°F | 3.6 in | 0.1 in |
| May | 75°F | 51°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 60°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 66°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 86°F | 64°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 79°F | 58°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 66°F | 46°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 56°F | 36°F | 3.5 in | 0.2 in |
| Dec | 46°F | 29°F | 4.2 in | 2.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Plainfield Hcn (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Union County has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2021-09-05: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida (Hurricane)
- 2021-09-02: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2016-03-14: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Severe Storm)
- 2012-10-30: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Linden Airport (LDJ) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- North Plainfield 1 mi west, about 2 min by car
- Middlesex 5 mi southwest, about 8 min by car
- Colonia 6 mi east, about 9 min by car
- Metuchen 6 mi southeast, about 9 min by car
- New Providence 6 mi north, about 9 min by car
- Iselin 6 mi southeast, about 10 min by car
- Bound Brook 7 mi southwest, about 12 min by car
- Fords 8 mi southeast, about 12 min by car
- Avenel 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
- Highland Park 8 mi south, about 13 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Plainfield, New Jersey aerial view, Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Grace Episcopal Church, Plainfield, NJ - 7th Street view, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 105 East 7th Street, Masonic Temple entrance, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 724 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- All Souls Church; Plainfield, New Jersey, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2018-06-20 16 41 54 View south along Union County Route 531 (Park Avenue) at Union County Route 601 (7th Street) in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Plainfield Masonic Temple, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Architectural detail, Plainfield Masonic Temple, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Park Avenue, Plainfield Masonic Temple, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Swains Galleries; Crescent Area HD; Plainfield, NJ, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 213–17 East Ninth Street, Plainfield, NJ, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- YMCA Building, Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- City Hall, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Plainfield Christian Science Church, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2020-09-16 15 20 08 View east along New Jersey State Route 28 (Fifth Street) at Union County Route 531 (Park Avenue) in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Antique Castle (WT Orville House); Plainfield, NJ, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Grace Episcopal Church; Plainfield, New Jersey, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2018-06-20 17 05 28 View east along New Jersey State Route 28 (Fifth Street) at Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-06-20 16 15 54 View west along New Jersey State Route 28 (Fourth Street) between Cleveland Avenue and Union County Route 531 (Park Avenue) in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-06-20 16 14 04 View west along New Jersey State Route 28 (Roosevelt Avenue) between Fifth Street and Fourth Street in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 171-185 North Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2021-09-20 09 09 19 View south along Union County Route 531 (Park Avenue) from the overpass for the rail line between Depot Street and North Avenue in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rahway and Plainfield Friends Monthly Meeting, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2021-09-20 09 10 05 View north along Union County Route 531 (Park Avenue) from the overpass for the rail line between Depot Street and North Avenue in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- North Avenue, Plainfield, NJ - view 1, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- North Avenue, Plainfield, NJ - view 3, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- North Avenue, Plainfield, NJ - view 2, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2018-06-20 16 12 59 View west along New Jersey State Route 28 (Fifth Street) between Richmond Street and Franklin Place in Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 935 Central Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 901 Madison Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 305 Stelle Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Plainfield, New Jersey Fire Department Headquarters, Dreamyunicorn123, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Union CR 620 wb, Plainfield, NJ (1), Oct. 2026, Mr. Matté, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Union CR 620 wb, Plainfield, NJ (2), Oct. 2026, Mr. Matté, CC BY-SA 4.0
- CR 531 sb entering Plainfield, NJ, Oct. 2026, Mr. Matté, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-05-30 10 10 47 View north along Somerset County Route 531 (Somerset Street) at Regent Street-Union Street in North Plainfield, Somerset County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-05-30 10 11 27 View north along Somerset County Route 531 (Pearl Street) at Somerset Street in North Plainfield, Somerset County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shakespeare Garden, Cedar Brook Park, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Playground and flowering trees, Green Brook Park, Plainfield, NJ, Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0
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_from_the_overpass_for_the_rail_line_between_Depot_Street_and_North_Avenue_in_Plainfield,_Union_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
_from_the_overpass_for_the_rail_line_between_Depot_Street_and_North_Avenue_in_Plainfield,_Union_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
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