Community Guide

Plainfield At A Glance

Coordinates: 40°36′55″N, 74°24′58″W / Elevation: 110 feet above sea level.

Plainfield, which has nine designated historic districts, was incorporated as a City in Union County, New Jersey, United Sates in 1869. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 49,808 It is located on the southwestern edge of Union County and is bordered by nine municipalities.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 49,808 people, 15,180 households, and 10,877 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,057.4/km² (7,921.7/mi²). There were 16,621 housing units at an average density of 1,034.3/km² (2,679.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 26.5% White, 52.1% African American, 1.9% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 22.6% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 40.4% of the population.

Local Government

Plainfield is governed by a mayor and a seven-member City Council, all of whom serve four-year terms in office.

The Mayor of the City of Plainfield is Adrian O. Mapp (D), whose first four-year term of office started on January 1, 2014.

Federal, state and county representation

Plainfield is in the 12th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey’s 22nd Legislative District.

The 12th Congressional District, covering portions of Union, Middlesex County and Monmouth County, is represented in the House by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark) and Andy Kim (D, Jersey City). The 22nd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Scutari (D, Linden) and in the Assembly by Linda S. Carter (D, Plainfield) and James J. Kennedy (D, Rahway). The Governor of New Jersey is Mikie Sherrill (D).

Transportation

Plainfield has two New Jersey Transit rail stations on the Raritan Valley Line, formerly the mainline of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The main Plainfield station is in the downtown and a second, smaller Netherwood station is in the Netherwood section, east of the downtown.

NJ Transit also provides bus service on the 113 and 114 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan; the 59, 65 and 66 (Limited) to Newark; and local service on the 822 and 819 routes. Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 25 minutes away.

Arts & Culture

Name	Description
Cedar Brook Park and Shakespeare Garden Pemberton Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 527-4900	Call to make picnic and ball field reservations or to obtain information on amenities and programs throughout the County’s 5600-acre parks.
Crescent Concerts 716 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 756-2468	These concerts feature a number of primarily classical themes. The Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church is handicapped accessible and large type programs are available.
Drake House Museum 602 W. Front Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 755-5831	Owned by the City of Plainfield, the museum is operated by the Historical Society of Plainfield. Built in 1746, it has been restored to its look in as it did in the 1880’s, displaying furniture, maps, and decorative arts. The museum is open to the public Sunday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and by appointment.
duCret School of Art 1030 Central Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 757-7171	Classes are for children and adults. duCret serves as an area educational institution for students pursuing a career in the arts.
Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission 515 Watchung Ave. Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-3580	The Commission educates the public on the benefits of historic preservation, taking actions that promote historic preservation, and participating in the protection and preservation of historic structures in Plainfield.
Plainfield Public Library 800 Park Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 757-1111	Presents concerts, lectures, programs and exhibits throughout the year. The fine arts collection features prominent local and international artists.
Swain Galleries 703 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 756-1707	Some products and services include: cleaning and restoration, conservation and restoration, fine art, and frame repair. The gallery features many rooms filled with a wide variety of original artwork.
The Plainfield Symphony PO Box 5093 Plainfield, NJ 07061 (908) 561-5140	Performs throughout the year. Concerts are held at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church.

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Business

Name	Description
Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce 135 Jefferson Avenue Elizabeth, NJ 07207 (908) 352-0900	Provides services such as networking events, advocacy, discounted business services, seminars, trade shows, and promotional opportunities.
The Incubator 320 Park Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 757-5155	Affiliate of the Small Business Development Center located in Newark. Resource for businesses starting out in Plainfield.
Plainfield Chamber of Commerce 320 Park Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07062 (908) 757-5155	Businesses in the City of Plainfield share a strong and renewed vision that emboldens a partnership with local government.
Plainfield Square Merchants (Dairy Queen) 1367 South Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060	Member businesses are located on South Avenue in Plainfield.
SCORE – Central Jersey 2 Gateway Center, 10th Floor Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 645-3982	Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) provides counseling services for small business.
Small Business Development Center for Union County Kean University: 1000 Morris Ave. Hynes Hall Room 303Y Union, NJ 07083 (908) 737-4190	Resource for business information on the Kean University Campus.

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Important Documents

Plainfield Schools Phone Listing

Education

Barack Obama Green Charter High School 35 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (877) 643-4064	Kean University 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 (908) 737-5326
Heirs of Promise Christian School 147 North Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 755-2626	New Horizons College Club PO Box 2722 Plainfield, NJ 07062 (908) 754-2721
Koinonia Academy 1040 Plainfield Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 668-9002	Queen City Academy Charter School 815 W. 7th Street Plainfield, NJ 07063 (908) 753-4700
Plainfield Board of Education 1200 Myrtle Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 731-4331	Union County College 1033 Springfield Avenue Cranford, NJ 07016 (908) 709-7550
Star Bright Christian Learning 145 Park Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 756-7927	Union County Vocational & Technical School 1776 Raritan Rd. Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 (908) 889-8288
Union County Technology, Engineering, Architecture, Math, and Science (TEAMS) Charter School  515-517 West Fourth Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 754-9043	CAPS Central Emerson Campus 365 Emerson Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07062 (908) 625-1879

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Careers

Name	Description
My Central Jersey	Job listings for the Central New Jersey area.
Department of Labor and Workforce Development – Career Services	A weekly listing of jobs in Union County, NJ from the Center of Economic and Workforce Development and UCC.
Federal Civil Service	You can search federal jobs here, and create and store resumes for jobs.
People Ready, Inc. 1945 Morris Avenue Suite 3 Union, NJ 07083 (908) 687-2436	A temp service provides labor for various industry and retail companies.
New Jersey Civil Service	Provides job vacancies for civil service jobs in New Jersey
NJ.com	Access to newspapers like the Star Ledger, provides local classifieds.
One Stop Career Center (Unemployment Office) 200 West 2nd Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 412-7980	Assistance in job searching, counseling, computer access, referrals.
Venture & Venture 525 E. Front Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 561-9600	A human skills training center and management consulting firm whose corporate office is in New Brunswick, New Jersey and also has a training center in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Department of Labor and Workforce Development Career Services	Help in finding jobs in many areas, career advice, labor market information, programs and services.

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Important Documents

Being an Educated Voter

City of Plainfield Website

City Council Meeting Agenda & Packets

Map of Plainfield’s Historic Districts

Plainfield Charter and Municipal Code

Polling Place Search
(enter your address and find out what ward and district you reside in as well as where to vote – Plainfield is in Union County)

Ward Map of Plainfield

Government Representatives

Local
Adrian O. Mapp Mayor 515 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-3310	Plainfield City Council c/o Plainfield City Clerk’s Office 515 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-3222
County
Joanne Rajoppi Union County Clerk 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207 (908) 527-4787	Union County Board of County Commissioners 10 Elizabethtown Plaza 6th Floor Elizabeth, NJ 07207 (908) 527-4100
State
Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter District 22 200 West 2nd Street Suite 102 Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 561-5547	Assemblyman James J. Kennedy District 22 1445 Main Street Rahway, NJ 07065 (732) 827-5916
Senator Nicholas P. Scutari District 22 1514 E. Saint Georges Avenue 2nd Floor Linden, NJ 07036 (908) 587-0404	Mikie Sherrill, Governor P.O. Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 292-6000
Federal
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman 12th District 50 Washington Rd. West Windsor, NJ 08550 (609) 750-9365
Senator Cory Booker 141 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3224	Senator Andy Kim Hart Senate Office Building, Suite 520 Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-4744

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Important Documents

Affordable Care Act Information

NJ Appellate Court Decision on the Closure of Muhlenberg Hospital (Docket #s A-0107-08T3 & A-0179-08T2)

Health

Name	Description
Families and Community Together (FACT) 1170 Route 22 West Mountainside, NJ 07092 (908) 789-8500	Families and Community Together (FACT) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the families of Union County who have children with emotional, behavioral, social, and mental health needs.
HealthyNJ	HealthyNJ (UMDNJ) contains information on health topics, diseases, statistics, and online reference.
Medemerge 1005 North Washington Avenue Green Brook, NJ 08812 (732) 968-8900	Walk in Clinic
Neighborhood Health Center – Plainfield 1700 Myrtle Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07063 (908) 753-6401	The Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (formerly Plainfield Health Center) offers a variety of healthcare programs for individuals and families.
New Jersey Affordable Care Act	The Health Insurance Marketplace will make it easy for residents of New Jersey to compare qualified health plans, get answers to questions, find out if they are eligible for lower costs for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enroll in health coverage.
Plainfield Division of Health 510 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-3092	The Plainfield Division of Health administers a variety of programs and services for Plainfield Residents including Animal Control, Communicable Disease Services, the Healthy Mothers – Healthy Babies Program, Project Alert, Vital Statistics, the W.I.C Program, and Bilingual Daycare.
Plainfield Rescue Squad 700 West 7th Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 755-0003	Provides Emergency Medical Services to the citizens of Plainfield and the surrounding areas.
Scotch Plains Medical Center – Urgent Care 1814 E. 2nd Street Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 (908) 322-6611	Urgent Care, Primary Care, Family Practice, Board Certified Physicians and Staff. No Appointment Necessary. Monday through Friday 9A-9P, Weekend 9A-7
United Family & Children’s Society 305 West 7th Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 755-4848	Professional counseling is offered to help individuals, children, couples and families cope better with a variety of problems. They also provide children’s services and special programs, as well as adoption services to prospective adoptive parents.

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Consumer Information

Name	Description
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau P.O. Box 2900 Clinton, IA 52733-2900 (855) 411-2372	Obtain information about federal consumer protection laws and submit a formal complaint regarding federal consumer financial products and services such as mortgages and credit cards.
Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 (202) 326-2222 (877) 382-4357 (Toll-free helpline)	The FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and episodes of violence in the media.
Legal Services of New Jersey PO Box 1357 Edison, NJ 08818 1-888-576-5529	Provides free legal assistance in civil matters to people who cannot afford the cost of legal representation.
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Division of Consumer Assistance (800) 624-0241 (Toll Free Number for Utility Complaints)	The Division of Customer Assistance helps utility customers resolve various types of problems with their utility company.
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance P.O. Box 471 Trenton, NJ 08625-0471 (609) 292-7272 (800) 446-7467 (Consumer Hotline)	File complaints or submit inquiries into banking, insurance or real estate related problems.
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs 124 Halsey Street Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 504-6200 (Consumer Hotline) (800) 242-5846 (toll free, NJ only)	File complaints, licensee search, licensing boards, information on housing, doctors, cars, where to get a free credit report.
New Jersey Office of Consumer Protection	Provides statutes about consumer fraud, and the Consumer Protection Leasing Act.
New Jersey Lemon Law	New Jersey consumer’s guide to the lemon law.
Plainfield Action Services 510 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-3519	Local arm of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
Union County Consumer Affairs 300 North Avenue East PO Box 186 Westfield, NJ 07091 (908) 654-9840	Protects the public from fraud, deceit and misrepresentation in the sale of goods and services.
US Department of Treasury Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks (800) 613-6743	File a complaint against a bank or financial institution.

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Social Services

Name	Description
NJHelps.gov	A quick and easy way to determine if you may qualify for food assistance, cash assistance, and state health insurance/Medicaid. There may be programs other than these people qualify for.
PlainfieldNJ.gov 515 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ (908) 753-3000	Features a city directory and municipal information.
Plainfield Action Services Rashara Fuller | Ph.D, Supervisor Annex Building 510 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ, 07060 (908) 226-2589	The mission of PAS is to provide services to Plainfield’s low-income families and individuals regardless of ethnicity, religion, or race through programs, direct monetary assistance (when available), information, and referrals.
Plainfield Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program 510 Watchung Avenue 1st Floor Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-3397	Women Infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program that provides various services, including breastfeeding education and support, referrals for free or reduced cost health care, immunization screening and referrals.
Meals on Wheels Rashara Fuller | Ph.D, Supervisor Annex Building 510 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ, 07060 (908) 226-2589	This program delivers hot meals to homebound elderly (aged 60 and over) in Plainfield. The center does this in cooperation with the Union County Division on Aging. Contact the Plainfield DHSS Senior Citizen Services Unit (below) for more information.
Plainfield DHSS Senior Citizen Services Unit Rashara Fuller | Ph.D, Supervisor Annex Building 510 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ, 07060 (908) 226-2589	Information and assistance, transportation, telephone reassurance, socialization and recreational programs such as Meals on Wheels, medical information, trips, parties, monthly birthday celebrations, healthy living programs, computer classes, ceramic and art classes, knitting classes, pool room, card room, Bingo, Pokeno, and much more. The Plainfield Senior Citizens have many wonderful programs, fashion shows, and plays.
Union County Department of Human Services Union County Administrative Building 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 (908) 527-4808	Union County service that includes departments on aging, drug abuse, mental health services, and the office for the disabled.
Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup of Northern NJ 2400 Morris Avenue Suite 106 Union, NJ 07083 24 Hour Hotline & Information: (908) 687-8566	Alcoholics Anonymous is a group who shares its experience, strength and hope that members may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Arc of Union County 70 Diamond Road Springfield, NJ 07081 (973) 315-0000	The Arc of Union County advances the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and provides meaningful choices and options for clients.
Boys and Girls Club of Union County 165 East Front Street (Rear) Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 822-8672	Provides programs and services that produce positive and lasting results for children. There is a membership fee associated with joining and service – visit their website or call for more information.
Cardinal Family Success Center 504 Madison Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07063 (908) 731-4200 ext. 5106	The Center’s goal is to empower families, professionals and other individuals interested in the well being and educational rights of children.
El Centro Hispano Americano 525 E. Front Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 753-8730	Primary purpose is to promote the rights and help meet the needs of immigrants and refugees through affordable legal services, advocacy, social services, community education and organizing, as well as cultural programs.
Families and Community Together (FACT) 240 Sheffield Street Mountainside, NJ 07092 (908) 789-8500	Families and Community Together (FACT) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the families of Union County who have children with emotional, behavioral, social, and mental health needs.
SAGE Eldercare 290 Broad Street Summit, NJ 07901 (908) 273-5550	SAGE Eldercare helps thousands of frail, older adults, their families and caregivers each year. We are proud to offer a wide range of programs and services that support seniors in the challenges they face during the later stages of life.
United Family and Children’s Society 305 West Seventh Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 755-4848	Professional counseling is offered to help individuals, children, couples and families cope better with a variety of problems.
United Way of Greater Union County 219 Central Avenue Rahway, NJ 07065 (908) 353-7171	Provides access to multiple help agencies throughout Union County, NJ.

Housing

Name	Description
Plainfield Housing Authority 510 East Front Street Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 769-6335	A source for home-related issues, whether you’re looking to buy a home, refinance, or just remodel.
Plainfield Shut-In Council Department of Recreation 510 Watchung Avenue (908) 753-3097 Contact: Anna Knight, President (908) 577-0543 (cell phones)	Provides assistance to home-bound members of the community.
Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity 2 Randolph Road Plainfield, NJ 07060 Admin Office Phone: (973) 891-1934	Provides assistance to home-bound members of the community.
The Salvation Army 615 Watchung Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060 (908) 756-2595	All Salvation Army facilities in New Jersey and the Army’s Service Extension Program are able to provide assistance for basic needs.

CWC 10/2025