Bradford, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bradford, Pennsylvania had a total population of 7,683, the 147th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $56,161, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Bradford Quick Facts
How Bradford 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 | 7,738 | 7,683 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $56,330 | $56,161 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $76,400 | $85,600 | +12.0% |
How Bradford 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bradford Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in McKean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kane | 3,537 | $52,353 | 9.7% | $73,600 |
| Port Allegany | 2,356 | $65,595 | 20.0% | $112,500 |
| Smethport | 1,462 | $60,455 | 19.2% | $116,100 |
| University of Pittsburgh Bradford | 974 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foster Brook | 942 | $98,049 | 8.6% | $112,600 |
| Mount Jewett | 674 | $53,125 | 18.8% | $76,300 |
| Lewis Run | 570 | $73,523 | 7.0% | $123,200 |
| Eldred | 566 | $49,063 | 14.9% | $125,900 |
| Rew | 200 | N/A | 1.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bradford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grove City | 7,830 | $57,169 | $171,600 | 46.1% | 10.8% |
| Latrobe | 7,977 | $56,318 | $145,100 | 25.2% | 16.6% |
| White Oak | 7,468 | $59,452 | $162,200 | 28.8% | 9.8% |
| Pittston | 7,626 | $49,941 | $126,800 | 23.8% | 20.0% |
| Gettysburg | 8,254 | $54,365 | $241,500 | 44.0% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Bradford is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within McKean County. The total population is 7,683. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bradford is 40.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bradford is $56,161. This is 28% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 97% 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 5.2%. The median home value is $85,600. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Bradford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bradford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.7% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.1%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bradford, 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 Bradford, Pennsylvania?
Bradford, Pennsylvania has a population of 7,683 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bradford, PA?
The median household income in Bradford is $56,161, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bradford, PA?
The poverty rate in Bradford is 23.0%. This means approximately 1,711 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bradford, Pennsylvania?
Bradford's population is 91.7% White, 0.8% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bradford, PA?
The median home value in Bradford is $85,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Bradford, Pennsylvania?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Bradford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.