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Scotch Plains is located at 40°38'18" North, 74°22'26" West (40.638252, -74.373914) 1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 23.5 km˛ (9.1 mi˛). 23.5 km˛ (9.1 mi˛) of it is land and 0.11% is water.
As of the census 2 of 2000, there are 22,732 people, 8,349 households, and 6,295 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 966.6/km˛ (2,503.3/mi˛). There are 8,479 housing units at an average density of 360.5/km˛ (933.7/mi˛). The racial makeup of the CDP is 78.88% White, 11.30% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 3.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,349 households out of which 36.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% are married couplesMarriage is a relationship that plays a key role in the definition of many families. Precise definitions vary historically and between and within cultures, but it has been an important concept as a socially sanctioned bond between people who (usually) are living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% are non-families. 20.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $81,599, and the median income for a family is $96,238. Males have a median income of $63,648 versus $43,714 for females. The per capita incomeThe per capita income for an area may be defined as the total personal income in an area, divided by the number of people in that area. A ranking of the top 10 countries, according to the 2004 CIA World Factbook (in US dollar) # Luxembourg $55,100 # Norwa for the CDP is $39,913. 3.0% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty lineThe poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. People who have an income below the poverty line have no discretionary disposable income, by definition. The actual monetary value of. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Scotch Plains is the location of the Union County Magnet High School. The Magnet School has approximately 260 students. The Mission Statement of the school says the school wishes to prepare students for college/vocational training utilizing technology through problem solving, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary education. Students must apply to enter the school. The school turns away approximately 2/3 of applicants.
Student opinions vary as to the quality and effectiveness of the school, some decrying large workloads and so-called "busywork". Many students acknowledge that the experience has been a positive one for them as well, uniting them for the first time with a community made up entirely of other intelligent students.
Union County, New Jersey Census-designated places in New Jersey