Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Plainfield, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#27/341 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

46,708

Median Agei

37.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

66.4%30,999

Asian

10.5%4,903

Hispanic/Latino

9.6%4,501

Black

9%4,220

Two or More

3.6%1,695

Other

0.5%230

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%160

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.2%360

High School Diploma

13.6%4,050

Some College (<1 yr)

5.8%1,726

Some College (1+ yr)

11.4%3,394

Associate's Degree

7.8%2,330

Bachelor's Degree

35.8%10,633

Master's Degree

16.4%4,857

Professional Degree

2.4%724

Doctorate

1.4%419

HS or Higher

96%

BA or Higher

56%

Graduate+

20.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$431,400

Median Renti

$2,119

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

88%12,880

Renter-Occupied

12%1,754

Total Units

14,889

Homeownership

88%

Vacancy Rate

1.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.9%248

$50K–$100K

1%125

$100K–$150K

0.1%10

$150K–$200K

1%123

$200K–$300K

13.2%1,701

$300K–$500K

55.5%7,148

$500K–$1M

26.8%3,457

$1M+

0.5%68

Rent Distribution

$750–$1,000

192

$1,000–$1,250

133

$1,250–$1,500

131

$1,500–$2,000

297

$2,000+

962

Year Built

2020 or later

4.7%704

2010–2019

10.4%1,547

2000–2009

51.4%7,653

1990–1999

19.6%2,921

1980–1989

4.1%613

1970–1979

2.7%406

1960–1969

2.3%346

1950–1959

0.9%132

1940–1949

0.7%106

1939 or earlier

3.1%461

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

89.7%13,134

Electricity

9.4%1,376

Bottled/LP Gas

0.4%58

No Fuel

0.3%47

Wood

0.1%12

Other

0%7

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$144,000

Mean Household Incomei

$169,555

Per Capita Incomei

$54,333

Poverty Ratei

4.1%

Unemploymenti

3.8%

Labor Forcei

25,403

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

1.2%172

$10K–$15K

1.3%193

$15K–$20K

0.5%79

$20K–$25K

1.4%208

$25K–$30K

0.6%81

$30K–$35K

2.4%347

$35K–$40K

1.4%204

$40K–$45K

1.1%167

$45K–$50K

0.6%90

$50K–$60K

3.5%518

$60K–$75K

4.8%704

$75K–$100K

11.5%1,677

$100K–$125K

9.4%1,381

$125K–$150K

13.5%1,971

$150K–$200K

16.5%2,416

$200K+

30.2%4,426

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

281

Avg. Tenant Renti

$662/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

10 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers91 homes86% occupied$662/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $144,000/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $43K/yr

71%

Very low income$43K–$72K/yr

13%

Low income$72K–$115K/yr

15%

Moderate / aboveOver $115K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

95% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

93% of subsidized households are minority

13% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

24,029

Avg. Commutei

33.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

24,431

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,204(3.6% of civilian adults)