Chester, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, Pennsylvania had a total population of 33,619, the 16th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $41,342, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 17.6% is notably above the national average.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 33,209 | 33,619 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $39,809 | $41,342 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $85,400 | $83,100 | -2.7% |
How Chester 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+)
Chester Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Delaware County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel Hill | 30,451 | $88,168 | 7.8% | $266,400 |
| Yeadon | 12,181 | $49,759 | 12.6% | $182,800 |
| Lansdowne | 11,122 | $73,232 | 11.8% | $210,500 |
| Darby | 10,687 | $39,863 | 29.9% | $117,900 |
| Broomall | 10,679 | $105,625 | 4.1% | $483,000 |
| Woodlyn | 9,736 | $79,696 | 11.1% | $230,400 |
| Village Green-Green Ridge | 9,073 | $96,711 | 6.4% | $325,800 |
| Collingdale | 8,897 | $51,886 | 19.6% | $166,600 |
| Folsom | 8,671 | $113,064 | 6.3% | $280,100 |
| Brookhaven | 8,331 | $91,042 | 4.1% | $284,700 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazleton | 30,111 | $46,177 | $151,600 | 10.8% | 25.0% |
| State College | 41,050 | $45,424 | $437,800 | 68.4% | 38.1% |
| Williamsport | 27,612 | $48,851 | $154,300 | 27.0% | 25.4% |
| Norristown | 35,893 | $66,701 | $213,900 | 23.5% | 18.5% |
| Lebanon | 26,536 | $48,456 | $156,500 | 15.9% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Chester is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Delaware County. The total population is 33,619. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 33.9 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $41,342. This is 47% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 147% 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 17.6%. This is 234% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $83,100. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Chester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is Black or African American, making up 70.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.3%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.5% vs 10.3%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, Pennsylvania?
Chester, Pennsylvania has a population of 33,619 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, PA?
The median household income in Chester is $41,342, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, PA?
The poverty rate in Chester is 29.0%. This means approximately 8,915 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, Pennsylvania?
Chester's population is 13.3% White, 70.5% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, PA?
The median home value in Chester is $83,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Chester, Pennsylvania?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.