Lancaster, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lancaster, Pennsylvania had a total population of 57,719, the 8th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $63,690, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Lancaster Quick Facts
How Lancaster 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 | 57,683 | 57,719 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $63,421 | $63,690 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $203,700 | $219,500 | +7.8% |
How Lancaster 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lancaster Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ephrata | 13,772 | $69,735 | 7.9% | $224,400 |
| Elizabethtown | 11,925 | $76,105 | 7.6% | $238,700 |
| Columbia | 10,278 | $54,437 | 21.4% | $196,500 |
| Willow Street | 9,647 | $109,675 | 3.3% | $314,700 |
| Lititz | 9,619 | $88,576 | 4.1% | $299,900 |
| Millersville | 8,982 | $67,866 | 23.1% | $277,600 |
| Mount Joy | 8,344 | $90,061 | 9.1% | $266,500 |
| Leola | 7,448 | $91,154 | 4.8% | $339,200 |
| New Holland | 5,780 | $63,182 | 10.7% | $238,100 |
| Manheim | 5,027 | $81,273 | 16.2% | $246,400 |
Cities Similar to Lancaster
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | 36.0% | 15.7% |
| Levittown | 50,926 | $105,071 | $341,300 | 26.0% | 7.0% |
| York | 44,938 | $48,420 | $119,700 | 17.5% | 21.1% |
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | $158,100 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
Population Overview
Lancaster is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Lancaster County. The total population is 57,719. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster is 32.2 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster is $63,690. This is 18% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 74% 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 8.1%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $219,500. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lancaster is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (40.6% vs 8.7%).
Education
29.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has a population of 57,719 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster, PA?
The median household income in Lancaster is $63,690, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster, PA?
The poverty rate in Lancaster is 20.3%. This means approximately 10,909 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster's population is 39.6% White, 12.0% Black, 40.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster, PA?
The median home value in Lancaster is $219,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
29.4% of adults (25+) in Lancaster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.