Erie city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Erie city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 94,156, the 5th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $43,397, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Erie city is the 5th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 94,156.
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Erie city Quick Facts
How Erie 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+)
Erie city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corry city | 6,162 | $45,081 | 29.2% | $99,800 |
| Edinboro borough | 5,303 | $40,862 | 24.6% | $211,300 |
| North East borough | 4,069 | $67,469 | 16.0% | $151,000 |
| Wesleyville borough | 3,189 | $46,506 | 17.8% | $100,700 |
| Girard borough | 2,979 | $72,481 | 5.7% | $168,100 |
| Union City borough | 2,911 | $42,754 | 21.0% | $101,000 |
| Lake City borough | 2,901 | $74,909 | 10.9% | $154,400 |
| Albion borough | 1,269 | $54,083 | 12.7% | $131,000 |
| Waterford borough | 1,254 | $58,875 | 13.8% | $163,000 |
| Cranesville borough | 732 | $73,824 | 7.2% | $120,700 |
Cities Similar to Erie city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading city | 94,836 | $45,599 | $109,800 | 11.7% | 27.0% |
| Scranton city | 76,074 | $49,531 | $141,700 | 22.8% | 22.0% |
| Allentown city | 125,320 | $53,403 | $188,900 | 19.4% | 21.6% |
| Bethlehem city | 77,069 | $66,443 | $236,500 | 35.0% | 15.8% |
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | $121,000 | 26.3% | 29.1% |
Population Overview
Erie city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Erie County. The total population is 94,156. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Erie city is 34.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Erie city is $43,397. This is 43% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 108% 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 7.0%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $108,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Erie city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Erie city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.4%.
Education
22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Erie 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 Erie city, Pennsylvania?
Erie city, Pennsylvania has a population of 94,156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Erie city, PA?
The median household income in Erie city is $43,397, which is 45% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Erie city, PA?
The poverty rate in Erie city is 24.6%. This means approximately 21,733 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Erie city, Pennsylvania?
Erie city's population is 66.7% White, 15.4% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Erie city, PA?
The median home value in Erie city is $108,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Erie city, Pennsylvania?
22.3% of adults (25+) in Erie city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.