Chester city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Chester city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 33,209, the 16th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $39,809, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 17.5% is notably above the national average.
Chester city Quick Facts
How Chester city 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+)
Chester city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Delaware County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeadon borough | 12,091 | $57,336 | 8.2% | $172,500 |
| Lansdowne borough | 11,064 | $69,261 | 10.6% | $199,200 |
| Darby borough | 10,664 | $45,128 | 31.5% | $101,900 |
| Brookhaven borough | 8,288 | $96,393 | 3.4% | $265,500 |
| Ridley Park borough | 7,245 | $94,485 | 5.4% | $261,900 |
| Glenolden borough | 7,207 | $71,145 | 15.8% | $203,100 |
| Clifton Heights borough | 6,821 | $69,940 | 16.8% | $189,100 |
| Folcroft borough | 6,748 | $58,899 | 17.1% | $140,000 |
| Swarthmore borough | 6,524 | $146,992 | 2.8% | $557,900 |
| Prospect Park borough | 6,402 | $65,774 | 13.4% | $239,700 |
Cities Similar to Chester city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazleton city | 29,886 | $43,379 | $129,000 | 11.7% | 27.0% |
| State College borough | 40,669 | $47,132 | $414,400 | 70.7% | 39.1% |
| Williamsport city | 27,629 | $49,363 | $146,500 | 26.4% | 25.2% |
| Lebanon city | 26,600 | $47,439 | $143,200 | 14.7% | 22.9% |
| Norristown borough | 35,782 | $65,058 | $205,100 | 23.7% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Chester city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Delaware County. The total population is 33,209. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester city is 33.3 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester city is $39,809. This is 48% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 162% 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 17.5%. This is 234% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $85,400. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Chester city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester city is Black or African American, making up 70.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.3%) is well below the state average of 73.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.9% vs 10.3%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chester city, Pennsylvania?
Chester city, Pennsylvania has a population of 33,209 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester city, PA?
The median household income in Chester city is $39,809, which is 49% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Chester city, PA?
The poverty rate in Chester city is 30.8%. This means approximately 9,377 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester city, Pennsylvania?
Chester city's population is 14.3% White, 70.9% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester city, PA?
The median home value in Chester city is $85,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Chester city, Pennsylvania?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Chester city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.