Hershey, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hershey, Pennsylvania had a total population of 14,242, the 48th largest community in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $78,587, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 50.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
Hershey Quick Facts
How Hershey 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 | 14,334 | 14,242 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $78,750 | $78,587 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $339,300 | $379,200 | +11.8% |
How Hershey 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+)
Hershey Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | 30.5% | $124,200 |
| Colonial Park | 18,032 | $73,105 | 9.9% | $231,100 |
| Progress | 11,017 | $73,030 | 10.4% | $202,500 |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | 12.4% | $161,600 |
| Linglestown | 6,957 | $92,558 | 4.2% | $259,400 |
| Rutherford | 6,890 | $83,636 | 8.3% | $214,200 |
| Steelton | 6,296 | $58,194 | 19.6% | $134,800 |
| Lawnton | 4,765 | $84,861 | 2.5% | $222,600 |
| Skyline View | 4,704 | $97,982 | 2.6% | $299,600 |
| Hummelstown | 4,527 | $63,175 | 11.8% | $245,100 |
Cities Similar to Hershey
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% |
| Ephrata | 13,772 | $69,735 | $224,400 | 23.2% | 7.9% |
| Whitehall | 14,811 | $89,404 | $236,200 | 43.1% | 6.7% |
| Weigelstown | 15,485 | $73,722 | $219,500 | 22.8% | 7.1% |
| Willow Grove | 14,131 | $98,064 | $357,300 | 42.9% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Hershey is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 14,242. It ranks as the 48th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hershey is 38.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hershey is $78,587. This is about the same as the state median of $77,971. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $379,200. Housing costs are 49% higher than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 53.7% 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 Hershey is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.5% vs 3.8%).
Education
50.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hershey in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 43% higher 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 92.4%. Notably, 21.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hershey, 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 Hershey, Pennsylvania?
Hershey, Pennsylvania has a population of 14,242 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hershey, PA?
The median household income in Hershey is $78,587, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hershey, PA?
The poverty rate in Hershey is 17.6%. This means approximately 2,480 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hershey, Pennsylvania?
Hershey's population is 67.0% White, 5.7% Black, 12.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hershey, PA?
The median home value in Hershey is $379,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Hershey, Pennsylvania?
50.2% of adults (25+) in Hershey hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.