Carbondale city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Carbondale city is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lackawanna County. The total population is 8,820. It ranks as the 117th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carbondale city is 42.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carbondale city is $48,592. This is 36% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.0%. This is 112% 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 6.5%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $118,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Carbondale city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Carbondale city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.6%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.6% vs 8.4%). The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.

Education

18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 90.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carbondale 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.