What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).

Jefferson has the oldest population (median age 58).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Plainfield	Jefferson
People
Population	1,314Highest	1,013Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-0.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	48.1±5.5Lowest 24% above U.S.	58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S.
Kids under 18	16.3%±4.7Highest U.S.: 22%	12.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 22%
	Plainfield and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	21.1%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	33.7%±9.1Highest U.S.: 17.2%
	Jefferson and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	48.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	2.2%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Jefferson and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$69,250±$31kHighest 14% below U.S.	$67,188±$13kLowest 17% below U.S.
	Plainfield and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$318,400±$34kHighest 4% below U.S.	$296,700±$92kLowest 11% below U.S.
	Plainfield and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,153±$103Highest 18% below U.S.	$867±$156Lowest 39% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,806Highest 54% above U.S.	$4,196Lowest 35% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	73.2%±53.9Highest U.S.: 51.1%	16.7%±71.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Plainfield and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	11.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	8.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	80.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1955Lowest 25 yrs older than U.S.	1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	24 minLowest 9% below U.S.	35 minHighest 31% above U.S.
Work from home	16.4%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	17.5%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Jefferson and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.