Chester, Pennsylvania Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chester, Pennsylvania is 33,209 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 16th-largest city in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $39,809, the median home value is $85,400, and the median age is 33.3.
The population has grown 0.3% since 2010 (33,935 → 34,052).
33,209
Population
6871
People / sq mi
$39,809
Median Income
$85,400
Median Home Value
Chester covers 4.8 sq mi of land at 6871 people per square mile.
About Chester, PA
Chester is a city in Pennsylvania with a population of 33,209. It ranks #16 among cities in Pennsylvania by population. The median age is 33.3, younger than the national median. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The median household income in Chester is $39,809, below the US median of $74,580. 25.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $85,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,080. The homeownership rate of 40.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Chester reflects 13.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.8 minutes each way.
Chester city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chester city had a population of 33,935 in 2010 and 34,052 in 2024, a 0.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 34,057 in 2014. Average annual growth rate: 0.03%.
34,052
Population (2024)
33,935
Population (2010)
34,057
Peak (2014)
0.03%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 33,935 |
| 2011 | 33,762 |
| 2012 | 33,960 |
| 2013 | 34,047 |
| 2014 | 34,057 |
| 2015 | 34,013 |
| 2016 | 33,982 |
| 2017 | 33,925 |
| 2018 | 33,950 |
| 2019 | 34,000 |
| 2020 | 32,695 |
| 2021 | 33,693 |
| 2022 | 33,681 |
| 2023 | 33,907 |
| 2024 | 34,052 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 16.4% |
| Black or African American | 71.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$39,809
Median Household Income
$23,451
Per Capita Income
25.2%
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$85,400
Median Home Value
$1,080
Median Rent
40.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.1%
High School+
13.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
9.6%
Drive Alone
61.3%
Public Transit
8.6%
Work From Home
21.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
14.7%
Foreign Born
91.2%
Non-English at Home
5.4%
Veterans
15.1%
With Disability
94.9%
Health Insurance
91.1%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 36.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.9% |
| Retail Trade | 9.8% |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.6% |
| Information | 5.0% |
| Construction | 3.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 2.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.3% |
Largest cities in Pennsylvania
Largest counties in Pennsylvania
Part of Pennsylvania
Metro areas in Pennsylvania
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chester, Pennsylvania has a population of 33,209 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 16th-largest city in Pennsylvania.
The median household income in Chester, Pennsylvania is $39,809, with 25.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chester, Pennsylvania is $85,400, with median monthly rent at $1,080 and a homeownership rate of 40.9%.
The median age in Chester, Pennsylvania is 33.3 years. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The population has grown 0.3% since 2010 (33,935 → 34,052).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.