Rank #5 by Population · Updated April 2026
Pennsylvania Population 2026
The population of Pennsylvania is 12,986,518 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 5th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $76,081, the median home value is $240,500, and the median age is 40.9.
Pennsylvania's population has grown 70.6% since 1910 (7,665,111 → 13,078,751).
12,986,518
Population
290
People / sq mi
$76,081
Median Income
40.9
Median Age
Pennsylvania covers 44,742 sq mi of land at a density of 290.3 people per square mile.
About Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 19.7% of the population. Pennsylvania is a US state with a population of 12,986,518. That makes it one of the ten largest US states in the country, at #5 by population.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $76,081 — near the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.1%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $240,500, with typical rent around $1,162.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US states: 34.5% of adults hold a four-year degree, near the national 35.0%. Remote work is close to the national 14.0% at 13.8%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
Pennsylvania, #5 by population
Pennsylvania Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Pennsylvania had a population of 7,665,111 in 1910 and 13,078,751 in 2024, a 70.6% growth over 114 years. The peak was 13,078,751 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.40%.
13,078,751
Population (2024)
7,665,111
Population (1910)
13,078,751
Peak (2024)
0.40%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 7,665,111 |
| 1920 | 8,720,017 |
| 1930 | 9,631,350 |
| 1940 | 9,900,180 |
| 1950 | 10,498,012 |
| 1960 | 11,319,366 |
| 1970 | 11,793,909 |
| 1980 | 11,863,895 |
| 1990 | 11,881,643 |
| 2000 | 12,281,054 |
| 2010 | 12,702,379 |
| 2020 | 13,002,700 |
| 2020 | 12,996,143 |
| 2021 | 13,015,571 |
| 2022 | 12,984,990 |
| 2023 | 13,017,721 |
| 2024 | 13,078,751 |
Age Distribution
Male: 49.3% · Female: 50.7%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 75.8% |
| Black or African American | 10.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.2% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
Economy & Income
$76,081
Median Household Income
$43,104
Per Capita Income
8.1%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
$104,925
Mean Household Income
59.4%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Pennsylvania's overall price level is 97.6 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 2.4% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Pennsylvania's median household income of $76,081 has the buying power of $77,974 in average-priced areas.
97.6
Price Level (US = 100)
$77,974
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$76,081
Nominal Median Income
Education
91.9%
High School Graduate+
34.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
130,252
Live Births (2022)
10.0
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
61.1%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 75.4% |
| Black or African American | 16.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 13.9% |
Housing
$240,500
Median Home Value
$1,162
Median Rent
5,779,663
Total Housing Units
69.3%
Owner-Occupied
30.7%
Renter-Occupied
9.4%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
88.0% of Pennsylvania residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Pennsylvania:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 274,603 | 2.23% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 51,032 | 0.41% |
| 3 | Polish | 22,537 | 0.18% |
| 4 | Vietnamese | 20,590 | 0.17% |
| 5 | Arabic | 14,472 | 0.12% |
| 6 | Korean | 13,213 | 0.11% |
| 7 | Nepali, Marathi, or other Indic | 12,654 | 0.10% |
| 8 | Portuguese | 9,858 | 0.08% |
| 9 | French (incl. Cajun) | 9,037 | 0.07% |
| 10 | Haitian | 8,648 | 0.07% |
Commute
3.9%
Drive Alone
3.3%
Carpool
13.8%
Work From Home
26.6 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | 1,582,432 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | 303,620 |
| 3 | Allentown | 125,320 |
| 4 | Reading | 94,836 |
| 5 | Erie | 94,156 |
| 6 | Bethlehem | 77,069 |
| 7 | Scranton | 76,074 |
| 8 | Lancaster | 57,683 |
| 9 | Levittown | 50,930 |
| 10 | Harrisburg | 50,092 |
| 11 | York | 44,830 |
| 12 | Wilkes-Barre | 44,217 |
| 13 | Altoona | 43,508 |
| 14 | State College | 40,669 |
| 15 | Norristown | 35,782 |
| 16 | Chester | 33,209 |
| 17 | Bethel Park | 33,070 |
| 18 | Drexel Hill | 30,015 |
| 19 | Hazleton | 29,886 |
| 20 | Easton | 29,079 |
Counties in Pennsylvania
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia County | 1,582,432 | $60,698 |
| 2 | Allegheny County | 1,240,476 | $76,393 |
| 3 | Montgomery County | 861,225 | $111,521 |
| 4 | Bucks County | 645,993 | $111,951 |
| 5 | Delaware County | 576,195 | $88,576 |
| 6 | Lancaster County | 555,151 | $83,703 |
| 7 | Chester County | 540,896 | $123,041 |
| 8 | York County | 459,312 | $82,238 |
| 9 | Berks County | 429,989 | $77,684 |
| 10 | Lehigh County | 375,408 | $77,493 |
| 11 | Westmoreland County | 353,345 | $72,468 |
| 12 | Luzerne County | 325,978 | $62,321 |
| 13 | Northampton County | 315,927 | $86,687 |
| 14 | Dauphin County | 287,484 | $74,159 |
| 15 | Erie County | 269,544 | $61,476 |
| 16 | Cumberland County | 264,422 | $85,634 |
| 17 | Lackawanna County | 215,834 | $64,691 |
| 18 | Washington County | 209,778 | $77,487 |
| 19 | Butler County | 195,870 | $86,775 |
| 20 | Monroe County | 167,784 | $82,374 |
Compare Pennsylvania
Rankings for Pennsylvania
Read more about Pennsylvania
A complete guide to Pennsylvania demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Pennsylvania Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Pennsylvania
Congressional districts in Pennsylvania
Largest school districts in Pennsylvania
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Pennsylvania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pennsylvania has a population of 12,986,518 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 5th-most populous state in the United States.
Pennsylvania is gaining population, with a +70.6% change over the available historical Census record. Pennsylvania's population has grown 70.6% since 1910 (7,665,111 → 13,078,751).
The median household income in Pennsylvania is $76,081, with a per capita income of $43,104. 8.1% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
75.8% of Pennsylvania's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 10.7% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 0.9% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Pennsylvania is 75.8% White, 10.7% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 0.9% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Pennsylvania is 40.9 years. The population is 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
Pennsylvania's population has grown 70.6% since 1910 (7,665,111 → 13,078,751).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Pennsylvania's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.