Johnstown, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Johnstown, Pennsylvania had a total population of 18,087, the 37th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $37,888, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Johnstown Quick Facts
How Johnstown 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 | 18,245 | 18,087 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $34,784 | $37,888 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $42,100 | $45,400 | +7.8% |
How Johnstown 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+)
Johnstown Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cambria County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmont | 4,855 | $108,988 | 7.8% | $180,800 |
| Elim | 3,759 | $65,482 | 5.8% | $113,000 |
| Northern Cambria | 3,494 | $54,673 | 29.2% | $93,100 |
| Ebensburg | 3,321 | $58,179 | 9.5% | $174,700 |
| Belmont | 2,618 | $69,146 | 8.5% | $144,900 |
| Nanty-Glo | 2,598 | $51,604 | 19.5% | $83,700 |
| Geistown | 2,507 | $63,958 | 6.9% | $154,700 |
| Portage | 2,495 | $45,556 | 23.2% | $94,800 |
| Southmont | 2,059 | $73,400 | 9.3% | $125,800 |
| Patton | 1,809 | $47,875 | 21.8% | $94,100 |
Cities Similar to Johnstown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKeesport | 17,380 | $34,219 | $72,700 | 11.0% | 32.0% |
| New Castle | 21,579 | $42,219 | $77,400 | 16.3% | 28.0% |
| Indiana | 14,212 | $40,857 | $135,600 | 48.9% | 21.7% |
| Hanover | 16,584 | $61,293 | $212,800 | 15.9% | 14.5% |
| Colonial Park | 18,032 | $73,105 | $231,100 | 24.6% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Johnstown is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Cambria County. The total population is 18,087. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Johnstown is 44.0 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Johnstown is $37,888. This is 51% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.9%. This is 173% 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 6.2%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $45,400. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Johnstown is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Johnstown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.2%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Johnstown, 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 Johnstown, Pennsylvania?
Johnstown, Pennsylvania has a population of 18,087 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Johnstown, PA?
The median household income in Johnstown is $37,888, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Johnstown, PA?
The poverty rate in Johnstown is 31.9%. This means approximately 5,709 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Johnstown, Pennsylvania?
Johnstown's population is 68.4% White, 13.2% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Johnstown, PA?
The median home value in Johnstown is $45,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Johnstown, Pennsylvania?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Johnstown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.