Skip to main content
Population Review

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 1st-largest in Pennsylvania

The population of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania is 1,582,432 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest county in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $60,698, the median home value is $232,400, and the median age is 35.1.

The population of Philadelphia County has grown 3.0% since 2010 (1,528,303 → 1,573,916), a +0.21% annualized rate.

Philadelphia County within Pennsylvania · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

1,582,432

Population

+0.21%

Annual growth

11781

People / sq mi

$60,698

Median Income

$232,400

Median Home Value

Philadelphia County covers 134 sq mi of land at 11780.6 people per square mile.

About Philadelphia County, PA

Philadelphia County is a county in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,582,432. It ranks #1 among counties in Pennsylvania by population. The median age is 35.1, younger than the national median. The population is 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

The median household income in Philadelphia County is $60,698, below the US median of $74,580. 17.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $232,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,323. The homeownership rate of 52.3% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Philadelphia County reflects 34.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 16.4% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 32.0 minutes each way.

Philadelphia County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Philadelphia County had a population of 1,528,303 in 2010 and 1,573,916 in 2024, a 3.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,600,788 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.21%.

2020 · 1.6M20102024

1,573,916

Population (2024)

1,528,303

Population (2010)

1,600,788

Peak (2020)

0.21%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
20101,528,303
20111,540,615
20121,552,087
20131,558,713
20141,565,949
20151,571,679
20161,576,604
20171,581,699
20181,586,422
20191,584,439
20201,600,788
20211,589,918
20221,570,554
20231,563,349
20241,573,916

Race & Ethnicity

White36.1%
Black or African American39.9%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.6%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

35.1

Median Age

52.6%

Female

47.4%

Male

14.3%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
6.1%
5–9
5.8%
10–14
6.2%
15–19
6.4%
20–24
6.8%
25–34
18.7%
35–44
13.4%
45–54
10.9%
55–59
5.7%
60–64
5.9%
65–74
8.6%
75–84
4.1%
85+
1.6%

Children (under 15): 18.1% · Seniors (65+): 14.3%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$60,698$-15,383 vs state
Mean household income$88,307
Per-capita income$37,669
Poverty rate17.5%+9.4% vs state
Unemployment rate5.3%
Employment-to-population58.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
32.5%
Finance & real estate
12.8%
Education & health care
8.4%
Information
6.5%
Retail trade
6.3%
Manufacturing
6.3%
Public administration
5.6%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.7%

The largest employment sector in Philadelphia County is professional & business services, accounting for 32.5% of workers.

How residents commute

17.9%

Drive alone

7.5%

Carpool

46.7%

Public transit

16.4%

Work from home

32.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$232,400$-8,100 vs state

Median home value

$1,323

Median rent

52.3%

Homeownership rate

739,725

Total housing units

90.5%

Occupied

9.5%

Vacant

47.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

92.8%

With health insurance

93.4%

With broadband internet

18.3%

Foreign-born

4.0%

Veterans (18+)

17.4%

With a disability

76.1%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

87.4%

High School+

34.6%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Pennsylvania

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Part of Pennsylvania

Metro areas in Pennsylvania

County rankings

Common questions about Philadelphia County, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,582,432 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest county in Pennsylvania. Population density is 11781 people per square mile.

The population of Philadelphia County has grown 3.0% since 2010 (1,528,303 → 1,573,916), a +0.21% annualized rate.

The median household income in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania is $60,698, with mean (average) household income of $88,307 and per-capita income of $37,669. 17.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Philadelphia County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Black or African American (39.9%), White (36.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania is 35.1 years. Residents are 52.6% female and 47.4% male.

The median home value in Philadelphia County is $232,400 and median monthly rent is $1,323. 52.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 739,725 total housing units, 9.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 32.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 5.3%.

Philadelphia is among the largest cities associated with Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,582,432.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.