Allentown, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Allentown, Pennsylvania had a total population of 125,976, the 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $55,494, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Allentown is the 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 125,976.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Allentown Quick Facts
How Allentown Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 125,976 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $55,494 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $188,900 | $206,600 | +9.4% |
How Allentown Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Allentown Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lehigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | 15.7% | $260,400 |
| Fullerton | 16,724 | $69,317 | 15.8% | $239,700 |
| Emmaus | 11,889 | $83,917 | 7.3% | $266,000 |
| Ancient Oaks | 7,777 | $134,375 | 2.1% | $432,800 |
| Breinigsville | 7,769 | $120,749 | 2.6% | $388,100 |
| Wescosville | 7,148 | $139,826 | 3.5% | $452,400 |
| Catasauqua | 6,541 | $85,049 | 9.6% | $209,900 |
| Dorneyville | 5,211 | $128,732 | 5.5% | $417,600 |
| Fountain Hill | 4,834 | $64,107 | 18.6% | $246,700 |
| Slatington | 4,290 | $49,625 | 25.8% | $191,500 |
Cities Similar to Allentown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | $115,200 | 23.1% | 23.3% |
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | $121,300 | 11.4% | 28.7% |
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | $158,100 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | 36.0% | 15.7% |
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | $219,500 | 29.4% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Allentown is a major urban center located in Pennsylvania, within Lehigh County. The total population is 125,976. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Allentown is 33.1 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Allentown is $55,494. This is 29% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 79% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 9.0%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $206,600. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 43.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Allentown is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (28.8%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (56.3% vs 8.7%).
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Allentown, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Allentown, Pennsylvania has a population of 125,976 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Allentown, PA?
The median household income in Allentown is $55,494, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Allentown, PA?
The poverty rate in Allentown is 21.0%. This means approximately 25,293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Allentown's population is 28.8% White, 9.8% Black, 56.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Allentown, PA?
The median home value in Allentown is $206,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Allentown, Pennsylvania?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Allentown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.