Johnstown city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Johnstown city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 18,245, the 37th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $34,784, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Johnstown city Quick Facts
How Johnstown 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+)
Johnstown city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cambria County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansdale borough | 18,865 | $86,460 | 9.5% | $319,000 |
| Collingdale borough | 8,862 | $49,578 | 24.1% | $146,600 |
| Westmont borough | 4,893 | $99,171 | 11.8% | $175,100 |
| Honesdale borough | 4,465 | $38,469 | 28.0% | $180,600 |
| Scottdale borough | 4,392 | $56,667 | 14.8% | $137,700 |
| Northern Cambria borough | 3,515 | $50,448 | 35.8% | $84,400 |
| Ebensburg borough | 3,381 | $55,735 | 6.9% | $157,500 |
| Geistown borough | 2,512 | $67,972 | 6.9% | $148,700 |
| Portage borough | 2,477 | $46,389 | 17.6% | $88,800 |
| Nanty-Glo borough | 2,399 | $47,933 | 19.9% | $81,100 |
Cities Similar to Johnstown city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKeesport city | 17,520 | $31,854 | $69,800 | 12.3% | 32.9% |
| New Castle city | 21,727 | $41,478 | $72,000 | 15.2% | 26.1% |
| Colonial Park CDP | 18,125 | $69,804 | $223,800 | 27.3% | 10.1% |
| Indiana borough | 14,170 | $44,784 | $123,300 | 51.0% | 19.8% |
| Fullerton CDP | 16,729 | $63,357 | $229,900 | 23.2% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Johnstown city is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Cambria County. The total population is 18,245. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Johnstown city is 45.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Johnstown city is $34,784. This is 54% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 56% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.2%. This is 165% 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 6.6%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $42,100. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Johnstown city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Johnstown city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Johnstown 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 Johnstown city, Pennsylvania?
Johnstown city, Pennsylvania has a population of 18,245 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Johnstown city, PA?
The median household income in Johnstown city is $34,784, which is 56% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Johnstown city, PA?
The poverty rate in Johnstown city is 31.2%. This means approximately 5,649 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Johnstown city, Pennsylvania?
Johnstown city's population is 70.1% White, 13.5% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Johnstown city, PA?
The median home value in Johnstown city is $42,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Johnstown city, Pennsylvania?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Johnstown city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.