Chester County, Pennsylvania Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 7th-largest in Pennsylvania
The population of Chester County, Pennsylvania is 540,896 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 7th-largest county in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $123,041, the median home value is $461,800, and the median age is 40.7.
The population of Chester County has grown 12.2% since 2010 (499,935 → 560,745), a +0.82% annualized rate.
540,896
Population
+0.82%
Annual growth
721
People / sq mi
$123,041
Median Income
$461,800
Median Home Value
Chester County covers 751 sq mi of land at 720.7 people per square mile.
About Chester County, PA
What sets Chester County apart is money: median household income runs $123,041, above the US median of $78,538. Chester County is a county in Pennsylvania with a population of 540,896. It is the #7-largest of all counties in Pennsylvania nationally.
Households here are among the highest-earning of all US counties: median income is $123,041, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the lowest of comparable US counties, at 3.7% — below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $461,800, with typical rent around $1,691.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US counties — 56.6% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 21.7% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
Taken together, the income and housing figures place Chester County firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US counties — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.
Chester County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Chester County had a population of 499,935 in 2010 and 560,745 in 2024, a 12.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 560,745 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.82%.
560,745
Population (2024)
499,935
Population (2010)
560,745
Peak (2024)
0.82%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 499,935 |
| 2011 | 503,488 |
| 2012 | 506,049 |
| 2013 | 509,101 |
| 2014 | 512,776 |
| 2015 | 515,098 |
| 2016 | 516,768 |
| 2017 | 519,057 |
| 2018 | 522,256 |
| 2019 | 525,059 |
| 2020 | 534,860 |
| 2021 | 541,036 |
| 2022 | 547,248 |
| 2023 | 555,310 |
| 2024 | 560,745 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 78.4% |
| Black or African American | 5.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
40.7
Median Age
50.4%
Female
49.6%
Male
17.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 18.1% · Seniors (65+): 17.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $123,041+$46,960 vs state |
| Mean household income | $165,377 |
| Per-capita income | $63,089 |
| Poverty rate | 3.7%-4.4% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6% |
| Employment-to-population | 65.4% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Chester County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.8% of workers.
How residents commute
1.4%
Drive alone
1.9%
Carpool
66.9%
Public transit
21.7%
Work from home
27.4 min
Avg commute
Housing
$461,800+$221,300 vs state
Median home value
$1,691
Median rent
74.9%
Homeownership rate
210,730
Total housing units
96.0%
Occupied
4.0%
Vacant
25.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
95.6%
With health insurance
96.6%
With broadband internet
26.4%
Foreign-born
5.3%
Veterans (18+)
9.4%
With a disability
86.7%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
94.9%
High School+
56.6%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Common questions about Chester County, PA
Frequently Asked Questions
Chester County, Pennsylvania has a population of 540,896 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 7th-largest county in Pennsylvania. Population density is 721 people per square mile.
The population of Chester County has grown 12.2% since 2010 (499,935 → 560,745), a +0.82% annualized rate.
The median household income in Chester County, Pennsylvania is $123,041, with mean (average) household income of $165,377 and per-capita income of $63,089. 3.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Chester County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (78.4%), Black or African American (5.3%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Chester County, Pennsylvania is 40.7 years. Residents are 50.4% female and 49.6% male.
The median home value in Chester County is $461,800 and median monthly rent is $1,691. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 210,730 total housing units, 4.0% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Chester County, Pennsylvania is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.6%.
Philadelphia is among the largest cities associated with Chester County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,582,432.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.