Carbondale, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carbondale, Pennsylvania had a total population of 8,789, the 119th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $47,716, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Carbondale Quick Facts
How Carbondale 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 | 8,820 | 8,789 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $48,592 | $47,716 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $118,800 | $132,200 | +11.3% |
How Carbondale 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+)
Carbondale Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lackawanna County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | 23.0% | $158,100 |
| Dunmore | 14,181 | $71,302 | 12.0% | $196,100 |
| Old Forge | 8,573 | $71,812 | 7.4% | $174,400 |
| Archbald | 7,404 | $71,936 | 8.2% | $217,000 |
| Blakely | 6,662 | $55,855 | 9.0% | $198,300 |
| Taylor | 6,265 | $71,599 | 11.4% | $182,500 |
| Dickson City | 6,023 | $59,963 | 13.1% | $192,300 |
| Moosic | 5,973 | $80,187 | 7.2% | $250,900 |
| Olyphant | 5,381 | $66,423 | 8.8% | $160,900 |
| Clarks Summit | 5,073 | $92,083 | 4.6% | $234,900 |
Cities Similar to Carbondale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Falls | 8,850 | $49,924 | $92,100 | 22.4% | 20.9% |
| Jeannette | 8,657 | $49,188 | $114,400 | 20.4% | 18.8% |
| Collingdale | 8,897 | $51,886 | $166,600 | 17.0% | 19.6% |
| Lock Haven | 8,447 | $46,102 | $137,300 | 24.6% | 20.9% |
| Aliquippa | 9,079 | $50,188 | $98,400 | 22.6% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Carbondale is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lackawanna County. The total population is 8,789. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carbondale is 42.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carbondale is $47,716. This is 39% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.4%. This is 126% 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 8.4%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $132,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Carbondale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carbondale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.8%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 10.3%.
Education
19.0% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, Pennsylvania?
Carbondale, Pennsylvania has a population of 8,789 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carbondale, PA?
The median household income in Carbondale is $47,716, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carbondale, PA?
The poverty rate in Carbondale is 26.4%. This means approximately 2,260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carbondale, Pennsylvania?
Carbondale's population is 80.3% White, 2.2% Black, 10.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carbondale, PA?
The median home value in Carbondale is $132,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Carbondale, Pennsylvania?
19.0% of adults (25+) in Carbondale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.