Elk County, Pennsylvania Demographics 2026
Elk County, Pennsylvania has a population of 30,506, the 59th most populous county in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $66,380 and the median home value is $133,600. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elk County Quick Facts
How Elk County 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 | 30,703 | 30,506 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $64,103 | $66,380 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $128,600 | $133,600 | +3.9% |
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
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+)
Cities & Places in Elk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | 12,529 | $67,167 | 7.8% | $149,000 |
| Ridgway | 3,969 | $52,863 | 13.0% | $94,900 |
| Johnsonburg | 2,424 | $61,484 | 12.3% | $62,200 |
| Kersey | 743 | $53,531 | 21.1% | $227,600 |
| Weedville | 523 | $62,054 | 10.5% | $170,000 |
| Byrnedale | 434 | $90,568 | 1.4% | $76,800 |
| Wilcox | 323 | $57,500 | 18.6% | $61,800 |
| Force | 226 | $31,071 | 7.5% | $54,500 |
| James City | 174 | $65,789 | 12.6% | $55,800 |
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Population Overview
Elk County is located in Pennsylvania with a total population of 30,506. It is the 59th most populous county out of 67 in Pennsylvania. The county encompasses 9 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk County is 48.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk County is $66,380. This is 15% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $133,600. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Elk County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elk County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Elk County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Pennsylvania and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elk County, Pennsylvania?
Elk County has a population of 30,506, making it the 59th most populous county in Pennsylvania.
What is the median income in Elk County?
The median household income in Elk County is $66,380 with a poverty rate of 8.7%.
How many cities are in Elk County, Pennsylvania?
Elk County contains 9 Census-designated places.