Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
50-59 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
25%
Over 65
18%
Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, NJ Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,231
Population
26,234
Renter Mix
22% Rent
Where folklore and legends live
Parks
•
Outdoors
•
Golf
•
Amusement Park
•
Historic
•
Walkable
•
Mass Transit
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Starting with the Watchung Reservation on the north end to Ash Brook Reservation on the southeast side, Scotch Plains is filled with parks and green space. The town is wedged between Plainfield and Westfield roughly 14 miles southwest of Newark. In addition to parks, Scotch Plains contains two golf courses, the Shackamaxon Country Club and Ash Brook Golf Course. Bowcraft, an amusement park offering roller coasters, thrill rides, and arcade games, is also located in Scotch Plains.
Scotch Plains is a historic location first claimed by Dutch explorers in 1609. The English conquered the area in 1664, and settlers from Scotland arrived around 1684. The Frazee House, built around 1720, played a crucial role in the American Revolution. It was in this house that Elizabeth Frazee ("Aunt Betty"), a prolific baker, turned away a British soldier who wanted her fresh-baked loaf of bread. Scotch Plains has a historic shopping district along Park Avenue, which features wide sidewalks and a great collection of boutiques, antique stores, gift shops, restaurants, and taverns.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$166,720
Average: $184,083
Education
12,530
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
14,206
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Scotch Plains has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
22%
Non-Renters
78%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
45%
Other Education
55%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Scotch Plains, NJ is $2,228 for one bedroom, $3,324 for two bedrooms, and $3,805 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Scotch Plains has decreased by -1.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,228/month
810 Sq Ft
House
$4,260/month
320 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Scotch Plains, NJ is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
20
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
535 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
406 Students
William J. McGinn Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
527 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
405 Students
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
425 Students
Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School
Public
Grades K-8
917 Students
Public
Grades K-8
837 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
231 Students
Scotch Plains Fanwood High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,510 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
81 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- William Miller Sperry Observatory
- Trailside Museum Watchung Reservation
- Spring Lake Park
- Merrill Park
- Edison Park
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Newark Liberty International
- LaGuardia
Top Apartments in Scotch Plains
Houses for Rent in Scotch Plains
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.