Elk County, Pennsylvania Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 59th-largest in Pennsylvania
The population of Elk County, Pennsylvania is 30,703 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 59th-largest county in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $64,103, the median home value is $128,600, and the median age is 48.5.
The population of Elk County has declined 5.5% since 2010 (31,862 → 30,124), a -0.40% annualized rate.
30,703
Population
-0.40%
Annual growth
37
People / sq mi
$64,103
Median Income
$128,600
Median Home Value
Elk County covers 827 sq mi of land at 37.1 people per square mile.
About Elk County, PA
Elk County is a county in Pennsylvania with a population of 30,703. It ranks #59 among counties in Pennsylvania by population. The median age is 48.5, older than the national median. The population is 50.9% male and 49.1% female.
The median household income in Elk County is $64,103, below the US median of $74,580. 4.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $128,600, with monthly rent averaging $720. The homeownership rate of 78.9% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Elk County reflects 19.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 2.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.0 minutes each way.
Elk County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Elk County had a population of 31,862 in 2010 and 30,124 in 2024, a -5.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 31,862 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.39%.
30,124
Population (2024)
31,862
Population (2010)
31,862
Peak (2010)
-0.39%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 31,862 |
| 2011 | 31,798 |
| 2012 | 31,619 |
| 2013 | 31,462 |
| 2014 | 31,187 |
| 2015 | 30,898 |
| 2016 | 30,516 |
| 2017 | 30,274 |
| 2018 | 30,096 |
| 2019 | 29,894 |
| 2020 | 30,939 |
| 2021 | 30,795 |
| 2022 | 30,453 |
| 2023 | 30,221 |
| 2024 | 30,124 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 95.1% |
| Black or African American | 0.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
48.5
Median Age
49.1%
Female
50.9%
Male
23.5%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 15.5% · Seniors (65+): 23.5%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $64,103$-11,978 vs state |
| Mean household income | $80,111 |
| Per-capita income | $35,683 |
| Poverty rate | 4.8%-3.3% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% |
| Employment-to-population | 57.9% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Elk County is manufacturing, accounting for 35.3% of workers.
How residents commute
0.4%
Drive alone
2.5%
Carpool
82.8%
Public transit
2.8%
Work from home
18.0 min
Avg commute
Housing
$128,600$-111,900 vs state
Median home value
$720
Median rent
78.9%
Homeownership rate
16,876
Total housing units
79.9%
Occupied
20.1%
Vacant
21.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
97.3%
With health insurance
89.1%
With broadband internet
9.2%
Foreign-born
8.0%
Veterans (18+)
16.7%
With a disability
98.0%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
93.5%
High School+
19.9%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Elk County, Pennsylvania has a population of 30,703 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 59th-largest county in Pennsylvania. Population density is 37 people per square mile.
The population of Elk County has declined 5.5% since 2010 (31,862 → 30,124), a -0.40% annualized rate.
The median household income in Elk County, Pennsylvania is $64,103, with mean (average) household income of $80,111 and per-capita income of $35,683. 4.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Elk County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.1%), Black or African American (0.8%), Hispanic or Latino (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Elk County, Pennsylvania is 48.5 years. Residents are 49.1% female and 50.9% male.
The median home value in Elk County is $128,600 and median monthly rent is $720. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 16,876 total housing units, 20.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Elk County, Pennsylvania is manufacturing, employing 35.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.
Philadelphia is among the largest cities associated with Elk 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.