Allentown city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Allentown city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 125,320, the 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $53,403, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Allentown city is the 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 125,320.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Allentown city Quick Facts
How Allentown city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Allentown city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lehigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmaus borough | 11,727 | $82,875 | 5.8% | $244,300 |
| Catasauqua borough | 6,491 | $74,363 | 8.3% | $201,600 |
| Fountain Hill borough | 4,811 | $54,615 | 16.3% | $223,600 |
| Slatington borough | 4,277 | $50,170 | 22.4% | $177,300 |
| Coplay borough | 3,423 | $67,768 | 11.4% | $199,000 |
| Macungie borough | 3,247 | $74,056 | 18.8% | $293,900 |
| North Catasauqua borough | 2,968 | $86,779 | 4.2% | $245,900 |
| Alburtis borough | 2,586 | $102,946 | 5.3% | $242,300 |
| Coopersburg borough | 2,384 | $69,531 | 5.9% | $282,700 |
Cities Similar to Allentown city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading city | 94,836 | $45,599 | $109,800 | 11.7% | 27.0% |
| Erie city | 94,156 | $43,397 | $108,200 | 22.3% | 24.6% |
| Scranton city | 76,074 | $49,531 | $141,700 | 22.8% | 22.0% |
| Bethlehem city | 77,069 | $66,443 | $236,500 | 35.0% | 15.8% |
| Lancaster city | 57,683 | $63,421 | $203,700 | 27.2% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
Allentown city is a major urban center located in Pennsylvania, within Lehigh County. The total population is 125,320. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Allentown city is 32.4 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Allentown city is $53,403. This is 30% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 83% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $188,900. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 42.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Allentown city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (30.0%) is well below the state average of 73.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (53.8% vs 8.4%).
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Allentown city, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Allentown city, Pennsylvania?
Allentown city, Pennsylvania has a population of 125,320 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Allentown city, PA?
The median household income in Allentown city is $53,403, which is 32% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Allentown city, PA?
The poverty rate in Allentown city is 21.6%. This means approximately 25,882 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Allentown city, Pennsylvania?
Allentown city's population is 30.0% White, 11.0% Black, 53.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Allentown city, PA?
The median home value in Allentown city is $188,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Allentown city, Pennsylvania?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Allentown city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.