Location of South Plainfield in Middlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
South Plainfield was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1926, from portions of Piscataway, based on the results of a referendum passed on April 6, 1926.[23] The borough's name derives from Plainfield, which derived its name from a local estate[24] or from its scenic location.[25]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 8.33 square miles (21.58 km2), including 8.30 square miles (21.49 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (0.42%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Avon Park, Hadley Airport, Holly Park and Samptown.[citation needed][26]
The 2010 United States census counted 23,385 people, 7,876 households, and 6,175 families 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 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 or Latino of any race were 13.24% (3,097) of the population.[20]
Of the 7,876 households, 35.2% had children under the age of 18; 62.1% were married couples living together; 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 18.2% 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.[20]
23.0% of the population were 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, the population had 94.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.1 males.[20]
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.[34]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 21,810 people, 7,151 households, and 5,856 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,609.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,007.6/km2). There were 7,307 housing units at an average density of 874.3 per square mile (337.6/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.[32][33]
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.[32][33]
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.[32][33]
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.[32][33]
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.[35]
PTC Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of small molecule, orally administered treatments for orphan diseases.[36]
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.[37]
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.[38]
Government
Local government
South Plainfield is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[39] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[7] The borough form of government used by South Plainfield is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[40][41]
As of 2024[update], the mayor of South Plainfield is Republican Matthew P. Anesh, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.[3] Members of the South Plainfield Borough Council are Council President Robert A. Bengivenga Jr. (R, 2024), Christine Noonan Faustini (R, 2026), Melanie McCann-Mott (R, 2025), Peter D. Smith (R, 2025), Derryck C. White (R, 2026) and Joseph Wolak (R, 2024).[42][43][44][45][46]
Federal, state and county representation
South Plainfield is located in the 6th Congressional District[47] and is part of New Jersey's 18th state legislative district[48][49][50]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director.[56] As of 2025[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 14,119 registered voters in South Plainfield, of which 4,368 (30.9%) were registered as Democrats, 2,235 (15.8%) were registered as Republicans and 7,511 (53.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[72]
As of April 2024, there were a total of 17,380 registered voters in South Plainfield, of which 6,217 (35.77%) were registered as Democrats, 3,667 (21.10%) were registered as Republicans and 7,315 (42.10%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[citation needed]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.9% of the vote (5,720 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 40.9% (4,043 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (114 votes), among the 9,974 ballots cast by the borough's 14,424 registered voters (97 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.1%.[73][74] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.4% of the vote (5,723 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.7% (4,797 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (110 votes), among the 10,720 ballots cast by the borough's 14,454 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.2%.[75] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 49.9% of the vote (4,893 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 49.0% (4,808 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (67 votes), among the 9,803 ballots cast by the borough's 13,191 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 74.3.[76]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.7% of the vote (3,950 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 35.2% (2,186 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (68 votes), among the 6,289 ballots cast by the borough's 14,512 registered voters (85 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 43.3%.[77][78] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 51.6% of the vote (3,616 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 39.0% (2,736 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.6% (534 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (55 votes), among the 7,010 ballots cast by the borough's 14,053 registered voters, yielding a 49.9% turnout.[79]
Education
The South Plainfield Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.[80] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of seven schools, had an enrollment of 3,400 students and 304.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.2:1.[81] The schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics).[82] are
Franklin Elementary School[83] with 264 students in grades K-4,
John F. Kennedy Elementary School[84] with 268 students in grades PreK-4,
John E. Riley Elementary School[85] with 333 students in grades PreK-4,
Roosevelt Elementary School[86] with 448 students in grades PreK-4,
Grant School[87] with 444 students in grades 5-6,
South Plainfield Middle School[88] with 529 students in grades 7-8 and
South Plainfield High School[89] with 1,076 students in grades 9-12.[90][91]
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.[92]
Lincoln Tech'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.[94]
Transportation
Roads and highways
View southbound along Interstate 287 in South Plainfield
As of May 2010[update], 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.[95]
Interstate 287 passes through the southern area of the borough for almost 2 miles (3.2 km), including exits 4 and 5.[96] The New Jersey Turnpike is accessible in neighboring Edison (via I-287).
The major county roads that pass through include CR 501 (New Durham Road) along the southern border with Piscataway,[97]CR 529 (Stelton Road) along the southwestern border with Piscataway[98] and CR 531 (Park Avenue) along the east side of the borough, from Edison to the south to Plainfield to the north.[99]
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[112]
^Siler, Julia Flynn. "Business People; Jem Records President Confident Despite Woes", The New York Times, August 22, 1988. Accessed October 7, 2015. "For two decades, Martin L. Scott, the 38-year-old president and co-founder of Jem Records Inc., has tied his fortunes to those of the pioneering independent record company.... As a result, the future of the South Plainfield, N.J., company and Mr. Scott in the industry is unclear, but in an interview he expressed confidence in the company's restructuring plan and his own future."
^About, Plainfield Curling Club. Accessed March 8, 2020. "The Plainfield Curling Club (PCC) was founded in 1963 and is the only curling club active with its own indoor ice facility in New Jersey."
^Biography, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Frank Pallone, Jr., was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he grew up and still resides."
^Board of County Commissioners, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2022. "The residents of Middlesex County's 25 municipalities elect seven persons to serve as members of the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large to staggered three-year terms in the November general election. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Commissioner to be County Commissioner Director and another to be County Commissioner Deputy Director."
^South Plainfield Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, South Plainfield Public Schools. Accessed July 7, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the South Plainfield School District. Composition: The South Plainfield School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of South Plainfield in the County of Middlesex."
^Cooper, Darren. "Anthony Ashnault finishes his Rutgers wrestling career with national title", The Record, March 23, 2019. Accessed March 19, 2020. "Anthony Ashnault was second, but he was also number one.... Ashnault, who is from South Plainfield, became a media darling this season and his mother captivated the ESPN audience by sitting in the stands and, well, not watching her son wrestle."
^Howell, Dave. "Spotlight On John Bundy's Spooktacular High-tech Show Owes As Much To Broadway As To Magic", The Morning Call, May 3, 1997. Accessed October 7, 2015. "John Bundy and his assistant, Morgan, will present their 'Spooktacular' during the second half of the two-hour show. Bundy, who sawed Martin Short in half last month on Late Night with David Letterman, said in a telephone interview from his home in South Plainfield, N.J., that the show is the star of his high-tech production."
^Gacser, Ava. "Singled out Forget 'Brian,' what about Dave?", Home News Tribune, April 14, 2006. Accessed July 11, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "His friend and business partner Dave (Rick Gomez, a former South Plainfield resident) struggles to meet halfway with his free-spirited stay-at-home wife and mother of three little girls, Deena (Amanda Detmer)."
^Oberto, Dina. "ARCA Series marks 40th visit to Pocono Raceway", Standard-Speaker, June 11, 2005. Accessed October 31, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Ricky Gonzalez of South Plainfield, NJ, is a former runner at nearby Mahoning Valley Speedway in Legends Cars and Micro Stocks."
^Branch, Eric. "Dontae Johnson steps up to next level admirably", San Francisco Chronicle, September 13, 2014. Accessed November 8, 2017. "Eure first saw Johnson’s potential at the Pennington School in Pennington, N.J., a private school for grades 6-12 located less than 10 miles from Princeton University. Johnson, who grew up about 40 miles away in South Plainfield, was a boarder at Pennington, which he attended because of its academic prowess."
^Abbott, Patricia. "Homecoming was overdue", Courier News, June 5, 2002. Accessed May 28, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "Dennis 'Danger' Madalone, Hollywood stunt man turned singer/songwriter recently returned to his home town of South Plainfield with the message 'America, We Stand As One,' a message he hopes to share with the entire country."
^Johnson, Brent. "Jersey Paralympian goes to Vancouver as youngest member of sled hockey team", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 28, 2010, updated April 4, 2012. Accessed October 7, 2015. "'He's a rink rat,' Tony Pauls said of his son, who splits time between his divorced parents' homes: mom in Green Brook, dad in South Plainfield."
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