Erie, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Erie, Pennsylvania had a total population of 93,850, the 5th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $46,113, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Erie is the 5th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 93,850.
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Erie Quick Facts
How Erie 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 | 94,156 | 93,850 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $43,397 | $46,113 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $108,200 | $115,200 | +6.5% |
How Erie 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+)
Erie Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Harborcreek | 8,753 | $93,617 | 6.8% | $225,800 |
| Corry | 6,116 | $48,618 | 25.9% | $96,800 |
| Edinboro | 5,440 | $48,173 | 20.5% | $222,700 |
| North East | 4,054 | $68,828 | 19.2% | $167,000 |
| Lawrence Park | 3,775 | $74,548 | 15.0% | $138,800 |
| Wesleyville | 3,179 | $48,952 | 16.0% | $108,600 |
| Girard | 2,962 | $71,165 | 8.8% | $160,500 |
| Lake City | 2,895 | $75,048 | 10.8% | $165,600 |
| Union City | 2,887 | $44,004 | 23.7% | $88,100 |
| Fairview | 2,691 | $86,645 | 8.1% | $209,600 |
Cities Similar to Erie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | $121,300 | 11.4% | 28.7% |
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | $158,100 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | 36.0% | 15.7% |
| Allentown | 125,976 | $55,494 | $206,600 | 19.1% | 21.0% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
Population Overview
Erie is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Erie County. The total population is 93,850. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Erie is 34.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Erie is $46,113. This is 41% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 99% 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 7.1%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $115,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Erie is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Erie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (16.3% vs 10.3%).
Education
23.1% 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 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Erie, 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 Erie, Pennsylvania?
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of 93,850 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Erie, PA?
The median household income in Erie is $46,113, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Erie, PA?
The poverty rate in Erie is 23.3%. This means approximately 20,502 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Erie, Pennsylvania?
Erie's population is 65.7% White, 16.3% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Erie, PA?
The median home value in Erie is $115,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Erie, Pennsylvania?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Erie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.