Is Plainedge Safe, Pros and cons of living in Plainedge
Plainedge, a community on Long Island, New York, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. It is characterized by its residential neighborhoods, local parks, and a strong sense of community. The area provides a stable environment for families and individuals seeking a quieter pace of life while remaining connected to the broader New York metropolitan area.
The town’s strategic location offers residents the advantage of a peaceful setting with relatively easy commutes to larger employment centers. Plainedge is known for its well-regarded school district, which contributes to its appeal for families. The community’s infrastructure supports a comfortable lifestyle, with essential services and recreational opportunities readily available.
Is it Safe to Live in Plainedge?
Plainedge is generally considered a safe community, with crime rates that are significantly lower than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average as of 2026 (as reported by DoorProfit). Residents have a low chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, estimated at 1 in 440 per year (as reported by DoorProfit).
Violent crime rates in Plainedge are lower than the national average, with a rate of 2.715 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Property crime rates also fall well below national figures, with an estimated rate of 818.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports for 2024 indicate that Plainedge’s crime rates are 54% lower than the national average overall (as reported by AreaVibes).
Cost of Living and Housing
The cost of living in Plainedge is higher than the national average, with overall costs being approximately 49% higher than the U.S. average (as reported by Redfin). Housing prices are a significant contributor to this higher cost of living. The median home value in Plainedge was approximately $615,800 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA), which is 1.85 times larger than the national average (as reported by Data USA). More recent data indicates a median listing price of $825,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®) and a median sale price of $848,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).
Rental prices in Plainedge are also notably high, with an average rental price of $6,728 per month, which is higher than 98.6% of neighborhoods in New York (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This reflects the strong demand and limited supply in the local housing market. The homeownership rate in Plainedge is very high, standing at 92.7% (as reported by Data USA), indicating a preference for homeownership among residents.
Job Market and Economy
Plainedge’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with the most common sectors for employment including Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups for residents are Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Management Occupations (as reported by Data USA).
The median household income in Plainedge grew to $158,214 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The local job market has seen a recent decline in employment, with a decrease of 8.3% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA). While specific major employers for Plainedge are not detailed in the search results, the broader region of Nassau County and Long Island hosts a variety of industries including healthcare, education, and retail.
Climate and Environment
Plainedge experiences a climate typical of the northeastern United States, with distinct seasons. Temperatures generally range from 25°F to 84°F throughout the year (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The annual precipitation averages 43 inches, with approximately 24 inches of snowfall per year (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Summers in Plainedge are warm, with July typically being the hottest month, averaging a high of 84°F and a low of 68°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold, with January seeing the lowest temperatures, averaging a high of 40°F and a low of 26°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity levels are generally comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant environment (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education and Schools
The Plainedge Union Free School District is highly regarded, serving the community’s educational needs. Plainedge Senior High School is a notable institution within the district, ranking among the top 30% of all high schools in New York (as reported by Niche). The school demonstrates strong academic performance, with proficiency rates in math and reading that are higher than the New York state averages (as reported by Niche).
The student-teacher ratio at Plainedge Senior High School is 12:1 (as reported by Niche), and the graduation rate is 94%, placing it in the top 30% in New York (as reported by Niche). Other schools within the district, including Plainedge Middle School and various elementary schools, also show strong academic performance, with proficiency rates often above the state average (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics
As of 2024, Plainedge has a population of approximately 8,624 residents (as reported by Data USA). The demographic makeup of Plainedge is diverse, with White (Non-Hispanic) residents forming the largest group, followed by Asian (Non-Hispanic) and Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents (as reported by Data USA). The population is predominantly made up of U.S. citizens, with 98.4% of residents being citizens (as reported by Data USA).
The median age in Plainedge was 42.4 years in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). The foreign-born population constitutes about 12.6% of the residents (as reported by Data USA). The community is described as having a relatively high income level, with the largest share of households earning in the $200k+ range (as reported by Data USA).