Carlisle, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlisle, Pennsylvania had a total population of 21,852, the 29th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $61,720, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Carlisle Quick Facts
How Carlisle 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 | 21,335 | 21,852 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $59,742 | $61,720 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $212,400 | $224,100 | +5.5% |
How Carlisle 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carlisle Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanicsburg | 9,720 | $84,421 | 5.6% | $241,200 |
| Camp Hill | 8,169 | $115,761 | 6.6% | $316,300 |
| Lower Allen | 7,646 | $88,533 | 7.0% | $263,200 |
| New Cumberland | 7,580 | $82,154 | 10.3% | $244,500 |
| Enola | 6,534 | $72,135 | 5.0% | $171,700 |
| Shippensburg | 5,620 | $51,503 | 10.8% | $177,700 |
| Schlusser | 5,402 | $92,234 | 7.8% | $241,000 |
| Lemoyne | 4,742 | $62,086 | 12.5% | $241,300 |
| Boiling Springs | 3,334 | $126,927 | 5.7% | $379,900 |
| Wormleysburg | 3,077 | $88,250 | 4.6% | $223,400 |
Cities Similar to Carlisle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg | 22,319 | $56,576 | $215,000 | 27.3% | 15.3% |
| Pottstown | 23,476 | $60,828 | $195,400 | 21.1% | 17.5% |
| Baldwin | 21,057 | $80,983 | $208,400 | 33.3% | 9.5% |
| West Chester | 20,666 | $78,385 | $490,700 | 59.1% | 20.4% |
| New Castle | 21,579 | $42,219 | $77,400 | 16.3% | 28.0% |
Population Overview
Carlisle is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Cumberland County. The total population is 21,852. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlisle is 35.8 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlisle is $61,720. This is 21% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $224,100. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carlisle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.5%.
Education
37.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher 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 93.6%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
Carlisle, Pennsylvania has a population of 21,852 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlisle, PA?
The median household income in Carlisle is $61,720, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlisle, PA?
The poverty rate in Carlisle is 15.1%. This means approximately 2,851 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
Carlisle's population is 75.8% White, 9.5% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlisle, PA?
The median home value in Carlisle is $224,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Carlisle, Pennsylvania?
37.9% of adults (25+) in Carlisle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.