Page Contents for South Plainfield, New Jersey

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

---

Statistics & Facts

The New Jersey state capital is Trenton.
The population of South Plainfield is approximately 22,623 (2008).
The approximate number of families is 7,307 (2000).
The amount of land area in South Plainfield is 21.65 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in South Plainfield is 8.4 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.096 sq kilometers.
The distance from South Plainfield to Washington DC is 183 miles.
The distance to the New Jersey state capital is 30 miles. (as the crow flies)
South Plainfield is positioned 40.57 degrees north of the equator and 74.41 degrees west of the prime meridian.
South Plainfield elevation is 79 feet above sea level.
South Plainfield per capita income is $ 32,631 (2008).
South Plainfield median income is $ 84,740 (2008).
The South Plainfield median home price is $ 368,060 (2008).

Location

in the general Middlesex area of northeast New Jersey. Other nearby communities include Plainfield, Dunellen, North Plainfield, Edison, Metuchen, Society Hill, Watchung and Fanwood.

Here is a map page for South Plainfield.
Return to Index

History & History Related Items

Early industry in the area was logging when a sawmill and gristmill were opened in 1732. Two small hamlets were begun in the mid 1700’s – Sampton and Brooklyn. Outside of these two areas there was mostly small family farms. As the fight for independence grew, the area was involved in much activity from both sides of the war. General Washington moved his troops to an area now known as “Washington Rock” to flee the British army. The first post office opened in 1877 with the name of New Brooklyn. After about ten years, the name was changed to South Plainfield. The name was chosen because of the location being near to Plainfield which was an important area at the time. The railroad also came through South Plainfield for the same reason. Once the railroad came, more business, residences and people followed. Many historic homes, churches and businesses remain from this era, including the First Baptist Church of South Plainfield on Hamilton Blvd. The Volunteer Fire Department was created in 1907 and still exists today. By the early 1900’s, South Plainfield had grown quite a bit with many businesses, farms, school and even a movie theater. There was an airport built on the Hadley farm in 1924. Though used by private individuals, it was mainly built for the use of the postal service in the area.

South Plainfield was incorporated on 12 March 1926 with William Hamilton as the first Mayor. The following years included the Great Depression during which time the small town eked out an existence, surviving, but with not much growth. Finally, during the late 1930’s and early 40’s, prosperity began to sneak into the area with new employers who hired many local residents. By 1940 there was a population of about 5,300 people. During the 50’s many new housing developments sprang up and the town began to grow. The population was 8,000 in 1959 and 18,000 in 1960. By 1976, the population had grown to 23,000 residents. Since that time, the numbers have remained fairly stable.

Here is a history page for South Plainfield.
Return to Index

The incorporation of South Plainfield

12 March 1926

---

South Plainfield City Government

Borough of South Plainfield
2480 Plainfield Ave
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone: 908-226-7606
South Plainfield is governed by a Mayor and a Borough Council of six persons who are all elected at large. The Mayor is an elected position of a four year term while the council positions are three years terms elected on a staggered basis.

---

South Plainfield Police Department

South Plainfield Fire Department
Volunteering Since 1907

South Plainfield Chamber

South Plainfield NJ Chamber of Commerce
1315 Stelton Rd.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: 732-394-0223
Serving Piscataway, Middlesex and South Plainfield New Jersey

South Plainfield Organizations

South Plainfield NJ Chamber of Commerce
1315 Stelton Rd.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: 732-394-0223
Serving Piscataway, Middlesex and South Plainfield New Jersey

South Plainfield Libraries

South Plainfield Public Library
2484 Plainfield Ave
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone: 908-754-7885

South Plainfield Schools

South Plainfield Public Schools
125 Jackson AVenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone: 908-754-4620

---

South Plainfield High School
200 Lake St
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone: 908-754-4620 South Plainfield

Miscellany

The population of South Plainfield was:
1930 - 5,047
1940 - 5,379
1950 - 8,008
1959 - 8,000
1960 - 17,879
1970 - 21,142
1976 - 23,000
1980 - 20,512
1990 - 20,489
2000 - 21,810
2007 - 22,696
2008 - 22,623

Population Density:
2000 -
2007 - 2,609.8 persons per square mile

The number of housing units was:
1990 - 6,823
2000 - 7,307

---

Median Age:
2000 - 38.0 years

Median Household income:
2000 - $ 67,466
2008 - $ 84,740

Per Capita income:
2008 - $ 32,631

Median House Value:
2000 - $ 166,600
2008 - $ 368,060

South Plainfield is located in the Eastern Time Zone and does participate in Daylight Savings Time during a portion of the year.