Carlisle borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Carlisle borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 21,335, the 30th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $59,742, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Carlisle borough Quick Facts
How Carlisle borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carlisle borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanicsburg borough | 9,535 | $81,696 | 5.2% | $227,600 |
| Camp Hill borough | 8,149 | $110,938 | 5.8% | $290,300 |
| New Cumberland borough | 7,531 | $81,947 | 8.3% | $232,800 |
| Lemoyne borough | 4,697 | $65,995 | 12.3% | $225,300 |
| Wormleysburg borough | 3,058 | $86,940 | 4.2% | $211,100 |
| Mount Holly Springs borough | 2,333 | $68,388 | 13.2% | $161,400 |
| Shiremanstown borough | 1,732 | $69,505 | 9.6% | $203,900 |
| Newville borough | 1,269 | $62,599 | 10.2% | $161,300 |
| Newburg borough (Cumberland County) | 359 | $97,853 | 6.1% | $217,900 |
| Newburg borough (Clearfield County) | 61 | $54,063 | 9.8% | $79,300 |
Cities Similar to Carlisle borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg borough | 22,051 | $56,177 | $196,200 | 26.7% | 11.7% |
| Pottstown borough | 23,392 | $56,174 | $172,300 | 20.3% | 19.8% |
| Baldwin borough | 21,159 | $77,882 | $191,700 | 32.8% | 10.4% |
| West Mifflin borough | 19,338 | $70,335 | $131,400 | 24.2% | 11.8% |
| New Castle city | 21,727 | $41,478 | $72,000 | 15.2% | 26.1% |
Population Overview
Carlisle borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Cumberland County. The total population is 21,335. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlisle borough is 34.4 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlisle borough is $59,742. This is 21% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 48% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $212,400. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 49.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carlisle borough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.9%.
Education
37.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher 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 92.8%. Notably, 15.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlisle borough, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carlisle borough, Pennsylvania?
Carlisle borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 21,335 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlisle borough, PA?
The median household income in Carlisle borough is $59,742, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Carlisle borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Carlisle borough is 17.4%. This means approximately 3,207 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlisle borough, Pennsylvania?
Carlisle borough's population is 74.8% White, 9.9% Black, 8.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlisle borough, PA?
The median home value in Carlisle borough is $212,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Carlisle borough, Pennsylvania?
37.8% of adults (25+) in Carlisle borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.