DeSales University, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, DeSales University, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,052, the 975th largest community in Pennsylvania. The poverty rate is 85.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (85.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 100.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
DeSales University Quick Facts
How DeSales University 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 | 994 | 1,052 | +5.8% |
How DeSales University Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Employment
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+)
DeSales University Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lehigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 125,976 | $55,494 | 21.0% | $206,600 |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | 15.7% | $260,400 |
| Fullerton | 16,724 | $69,317 | 15.8% | $239,700 |
| Emmaus | 11,889 | $83,917 | 7.3% | $266,000 |
| Ancient Oaks | 7,777 | $134,375 | 2.1% | $432,800 |
| Breinigsville | 7,769 | $120,749 | 2.6% | $388,100 |
| Wescosville | 7,148 | $139,826 | 3.5% | $452,400 |
| Catasauqua | 6,541 | $85,049 | 9.6% | $209,900 |
| Dorneyville | 5,211 | $128,732 | 5.5% | $417,600 |
| Fountain Hill | 4,834 | $64,107 | 18.6% | $246,700 |
Cities Similar to DeSales University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Earl | 1,050 | $105,363 | $350,900 | 17.1% | 1.3% |
| Smithfield | 1,050 | $62,031 | $173,200 | 23.2% | 13.5% |
| Renovo | 1,045 | $27,716 | $59,200 | 7.1% | 40.9% |
| Lenape Heights | 1,042 | $76,250 | $161,500 | 37.9% | 0.1% |
| East Brady | 1,041 | $66,250 | $143,500 | 25.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
DeSales University is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Lehigh County. The total population is 1,052. It ranks as the 975th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in DeSales University is 20.2 years. This is 51% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 85.7%. This is 632% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in DeSales University, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness.
Race & Ethnicity
DeSales University has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
100.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places DeSales University in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 184% higher than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 100.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for DeSales University, 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 DeSales University, Pennsylvania?
DeSales University, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,052 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in DeSales University, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for DeSales University — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in DeSales University, PA?
The poverty rate in DeSales University is 85.7%. This means approximately 12 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of DeSales University, Pennsylvania?
DeSales University's population is 86.4% White, 6.6% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in DeSales University, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for DeSales University — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is DeSales University, Pennsylvania?
100.0% of adults (25+) in DeSales University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 100.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.