Plainfield is a small hilltown, population 571, situated on the northwestern border of Hampshire County, about 25 miles east of Pittsfield and 30 miles northwest of Northampton.  

Any profile of Plainfield would be incomplete without reference to its human character.  There is a rich medley of all ages and occupations, of farmers and writers, tradespeople and artists, craftworkers and homemakers, healthcare workers, builders, secretaries and others.  Plainfield's commitment to the Commonwealth's conservation of natural resources inherent in the Berkshire hill towns is a human document, creative and enduring.   Because of this commitment, the town is dedicated to careful planning to assure a growth rate that the community can handle given the condition of town roads, availability of services and continued protection of natural resources. 

Internal factors such as lack of finances,  outmoded zoning by-laws and a volunteer government, compounded by external elements such as recent improvements to Route 116 and an expensive new inn and recreation facilities at Swift River have severely taxed the time and ability of volunteer board members to cope with the increase in work load.  

Although the population density is still low compared to other towns, Plainfield is growing rapidly.  After decades of negative growth, the population has almost doubled in the past 20 years.  It has exceeded population predictions made 20 years ago when a 40% increase was projected.  The actual growth was 70%.  Recent predictions are that the population will triple over the next 30 years. Residential land-use has changed, as well. The current situation is characterized by a proportionately greater number of smaller households, more widely distributed.  Long-time residents have some concern about the suburbanization of the town, noting that nearly half of the residents have lived in Plainfield less than five years, while only one out of five have resided here more than 15 years.