Lock Haven, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania had a total population of 8,447, the 126th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $46,102, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Lock Haven Quick Facts
How Lock Haven 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 | 8,386 | 8,447 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $40,131 | $46,102 | +14.9% |
| Median home value | $127,500 | $137,300 | +7.7% |
How Lock Haven 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lock Haven Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Clinton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mill Hall | 1,364 | $54,333 | 16.1% | $151,700 |
| Dunnstown | 1,331 | $88,194 | 9.8% | $218,100 |
| Flemington | 1,322 | $53,824 | 17.6% | $158,000 |
| Avis | 1,171 | $60,625 | 9.2% | $166,700 |
| Castanea | 1,138 | $63,229 | 7.2% | $126,900 |
| Renovo | 1,045 | $27,716 | 40.9% | $59,200 |
| McElhattan | 1,036 | $71,250 | 12.5% | $215,500 |
| Woolrich | 815 | $62,895 | 13.4% | $231,100 |
| Beech Creek | 678 | $56,111 | 16.3% | $168,900 |
| Lamar | 570 | $66,400 | 10.5% | $158,900 |
Cities Similar to Lock Haven
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | 8,789 | $47,716 | $132,200 | 19.0% | 26.4% |
| Jeannette | 8,657 | $49,188 | $114,400 | 20.4% | 18.8% |
| Lewistown | 8,479 | $40,236 | $98,500 | 12.5% | 35.7% |
| Beaver Falls | 8,850 | $49,924 | $92,100 | 22.4% | 20.9% |
| Gettysburg | 8,254 | $54,365 | $241,500 | 44.0% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Lock Haven is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Clinton County. The total population is 8,447. It ranks as the 126th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lock Haven is 28.9 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lock Haven is $46,102. This is 41% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 78% 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 11.2%. This is 112% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $137,300. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 38.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lock Haven has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lock Haven, 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 Lock Haven, Pennsylvania?
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania has a population of 8,447 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lock Haven, PA?
The median household income in Lock Haven is $46,102, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lock Haven, PA?
The poverty rate in Lock Haven is 20.9%. This means approximately 1,465 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania?
Lock Haven's population is 88.5% White, 2.6% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lock Haven, PA?
The median home value in Lock Haven is $137,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Lock Haven, Pennsylvania?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Lock Haven hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.