Ephrata, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ephrata, Pennsylvania had a total population of 13,772, the 54th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $69,735, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Ephrata Quick Facts
How Ephrata 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 | 13,729 | 13,772 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $68,117 | $69,735 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $215,100 | $224,400 | +4.3% |
How Ephrata 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
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+)
Ephrata Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | 20.3% | $219,500 |
| Elizabethtown | 11,925 | $76,105 | 7.6% | $238,700 |
| Columbia | 10,278 | $54,437 | 21.4% | $196,500 |
| Willow Street | 9,647 | $109,675 | 3.3% | $314,700 |
| Lititz | 9,619 | $88,576 | 4.1% | $299,900 |
| Millersville | 8,982 | $67,866 | 23.1% | $277,600 |
| Mount Joy | 8,344 | $90,061 | 9.1% | $266,500 |
| Leola | 7,448 | $91,154 | 4.8% | $339,200 |
| New Holland | 5,780 | $63,182 | 10.7% | $238,100 |
| Manheim | 5,027 | $81,273 | 16.2% | $246,400 |
Cities Similar to Ephrata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunmore | 14,181 | $71,302 | $196,100 | 37.3% | 12.0% |
| Hershey | 14,242 | $78,587 | $379,200 | 50.2% | 17.6% |
| Greensburg | 14,741 | $64,914 | $184,100 | 39.0% | 14.4% |
| Coatesville | 13,353 | $59,256 | $194,000 | 19.8% | 18.1% |
| St. Marys | 12,529 | $67,167 | $149,000 | 21.4% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Ephrata is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lancaster County. The total population is 13,772. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ephrata is 37.1 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ephrata is $69,735. This is 11% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $224,400. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ephrata has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.3%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
Ephrata, Pennsylvania has a population of 13,772 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ephrata, PA?
The median household income in Ephrata is $69,735, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ephrata, PA?
The poverty rate in Ephrata is 7.9%. This means approximately 1,080 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
Ephrata's population is 85.9% White, 2.1% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ephrata, PA?
The median home value in Ephrata is $224,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Ephrata, Pennsylvania?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Ephrata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.