Plainfield, New Jersey

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Plainfield is a City located in Union County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 47,829.

Originally a part of Elizabeth and Westfield townships, Plainfield became it own township on March 4, 1847. It was incorporated as a village in 1867. On April 2, 1869, Plainfield became a city.

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History

It was settled in 1684 by Quakers, and incorporated as a city in 1869. Formerly a bedroom suburb in the New York metropolitan area, it has become the urban center of 10 closely allied municipalities, with diversified industries, including printing and the manufacture of chemicals, clothing, electronic equipment, and vehicular parts. Among the several 18th-century buildings remaining are a Friends' meetinghouse (1788), the Martine house (1717), and the Nathaniel Drake House (1746), known as George Washington's headquarters. Nearby Washington Rock, overlooking the Hudson River, is reputed to be the vantage point from which Washington watched British troop movements.

In music history, Plainfield is known as the birthplace of P-Funk. George Clinton founded The Parliaments while working in a barber shop in Plainfield.

Plainfield played an important role in the "Black Power" movement in the 1960s by serving as a gun-running center for the east coast.

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Civil disturbance

Plainfield was affected by the Plainfield riots in 1967. This civil disturbance was directly related to the much larger Newark riots that occurred at the same time.

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Geography

Plainfield is located at 40°36'55" North, 74°24'58" West (40.615352, -74.416070)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²). 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

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Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there are 47,829 people, 15,137 households, and 10,898 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,057.4/km² (7,921.7/mi²). There are 16,180 housing units at an average density of 1,034.3/km² (2,679.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 21.45% White, 61.78% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 10.78% from other races, and 4.55% from two or more races. 25.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 15,137 households out of which 35.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% are married couples living together, 24.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% are non-families. 21.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.10 and the average family size is 3.49.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $46,683, and the median income for a family is $50,774. Males have a median income of $33,460 versus $30,408 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,052. 15.9% of the population and 12.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.3% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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Government

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Local government

The Mayor, elected for a four year term of office, is the chief elected official. The Mayor exercises executive powers for the City of Plainfield and is responsible for direct appointments as well as advise and consent appointments of the Executive Cabinet, Corporation Counsel, and members of boards, commissions and committees. The mayor of Plainfield is Albert T. McWilliams, whose 4-year term ends On January 1, 2006.

The Plainfield City Council is the governing/legislative body of the City. Composed of seven elected officials, the primary purpose is to enact municipal laws via ordinances and resolutions. Formal meetings are held on the first and third Monday of every month except in the case of a holiday, then the meeting is held the next evening. Members of teh City Council are:

  • Ward 1 - Rayland Van Blake (2007)
  • Ward 2 - Cory Storch (2008)
  • Ward 3 - Don Davis (2009)
  • Ward 4 - Joanne Hollis (2006)
  • Council-at-Large - Ray Blanco (2009)
  • Council-at-Large, Wards 1 and 4 - Linda Carter (2008)
  • Council-at-Large, Wards 2 and 3 - Rashid Burney (Appointed 1/19/2005 until the next General Election to fill the unexpired term of Adrian O. Mapp, elected 11/05/2002)
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Federal, state and county representation

Plainfield is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 22nd Legislative District.

New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Mike Ferguson (R). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken) and Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park).

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 Jerry Green (D, Plainfield) and Linda Stender (D, Scotch Plains). The Acting Governor of New Jersey is Richard Codey (D, West Orange).

Union County is governed by a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Union County's Freeholders are: Freeholder Chairman Rick Proctor, Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Angel G. Estrada, Chester Holmes, Bette Jane Kowalski, Adrian O. Mapp, Deborah P. Scanlon, Daniel P. Sullivan and Nancy Ward.

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Education

The Plainfield Public Schools includes the following:

Elementary Schools (grades K-5)

  • Barlow Elementary School - 383 students
  • Cedarbrook Elementary School - 527 students
  • Clinton Elementary School - 273 students
  • Cook Elementary School - 286 students
  • Emerson Elementary School - 591 students
  • Evergreen Elementary School - 503 students
  • Jefferson Elementary School - 438 students
  • Stillman Elementary School - 262 students
  • Washington Community School - 601 students (including pre-K)
  • Woodland Elementary School - 267 students

Middle Schools (grades 6-8)

  • Hubbard Middle School - 681 students
  • Maxson Middle School - 985 students

High School (grades 9-12)

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Famous residents and natives

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External links

de:Plainfield (New Jersey)

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