Lancaster city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lancaster city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 57,683, the 8th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $63,421, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Lancaster city Quick Facts
How Lancaster city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lancaster city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ephrata borough | 13,729 | $68,117 | 9.3% | $215,100 |
| Elizabethtown borough | 11,857 | $67,770 | 7.5% | $222,600 |
| Columbia borough | 10,217 | $52,271 | 17.4% | $174,200 |
| Lititz borough | 9,599 | $82,861 | 2.6% | $264,600 |
| Millersville borough | 8,711 | $65,721 | 24.5% | $265,500 |
| Mount Joy borough | 8,310 | $84,514 | 10.7% | $241,300 |
| New Holland borough | 5,743 | $57,719 | 11.2% | $225,500 |
| Manheim borough | 5,028 | $81,484 | 13.1% | $218,100 |
| Akron borough | 4,133 | $74,360 | 7.0% | $250,400 |
| Denver borough | 3,775 | $88,201 | 5.9% | $228,200 |
Cities Similar to Lancaster city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | $121,000 | 26.3% | 29.1% |
| Bethlehem city | 77,069 | $66,443 | $236,500 | 35.0% | 15.8% |
| Levittown CDP | 50,930 | $101,619 | $311,000 | 25.1% | 7.2% |
| Altoona city | 43,508 | $50,171 | $113,600 | 19.9% | 18.8% |
| Scranton city | 76,074 | $49,531 | $141,700 | 22.8% | 22.0% |
Population Overview
Lancaster city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Lancaster County. The total population is 57,683. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster city is 31.9 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster city is $63,421. This is 17% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 76% 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 7.9%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $203,700. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 47.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lancaster city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (42.8% vs 8.4%).
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster 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.
Free data download: Get all Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lancaster city, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster city, Pennsylvania has a population of 57,683 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster city, PA?
The median household income in Lancaster city is $63,421, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster city, PA?
The poverty rate in Lancaster city is 20.7%. This means approximately 11,137 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster city, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster city's population is 38.2% White, 12.2% Black, 42.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster city, PA?
The median home value in Lancaster city is $203,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Lancaster city, Pennsylvania?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Lancaster city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.