Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield was incorporated as a city in 1869 and quickly became a haven for Wall Street wealth, earning its "Queen City" moniker. By the early 20th century, it was a booming cultural and retail hub for the region, boasting incredible Victorian and Tudor architecture. Plainfield was once the undisputed center of the American hat-making industry and, during its wealthy peak, was home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in the United States.

The present-day population is highly diverse, with strong African American and growing Hispanic communities shaping the local culture and business landscape. The downtown area along Front Street has struggled in past decades but is currently undergoing massive redevelopment, with thousands of new residential units and mixed-use buildings rising near the train stations. The city is currently known for this aggressive, rapid urbanization and its deeply active arts and political scenes.

Plainfield is totally distinct from the rest of Union County due to its unparalleled historic districts — like Sleepy Hollow and Van Wyck Brooks — which offer architectural grandeur unmatched anywhere else in the region. A local would want outsiders to look past outdated reputations and see a city undergoing a fierce, creative renaissance, fiercely proud of its architecture and diversity.