Luzerne, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Luzerne, Pennsylvania had a total population of 2,723, the 521st largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $42,135, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Luzerne Quick Facts
How Luzerne 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 | 2,720 | 2,723 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $39,257 | $42,135 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $113,700 | $113,900 | +0.2% |
How Luzerne 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+)
Luzerne Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Luzerne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | 23.1% | $117,200 |
| Hazleton | 30,111 | $46,177 | 25.0% | $151,600 |
| Kingston | 13,397 | $55,347 | 18.3% | $172,900 |
| Mountain Top | 11,850 | $109,535 | 5.8% | $297,700 |
| Nanticoke | 10,653 | $57,462 | 19.4% | $108,100 |
| Pittston | 7,626 | $49,941 | 20.0% | $126,800 |
| Plymouth | 5,770 | $39,167 | 24.1% | $92,500 |
| Exeter | 5,541 | $57,639 | 11.1% | $146,800 |
| West Hazleton | 5,178 | $34,118 | 34.9% | $151,800 |
| Duryea | 5,084 | $62,462 | 22.6% | $157,900 |
Cities Similar to Luzerne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery Rock University | 2,853 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Bedford | 2,851 | $41,375 | $182,000 | 18.1% | 12.5% |
| Philipsburg | 2,748 | $47,794 | $148,700 | 25.0% | 12.5% |
| Union City | 2,887 | $44,004 | $88,100 | 13.2% | 23.7% |
| Kulpmont | 2,724 | $49,785 | $84,000 | 14.7% | 10.7% |
Population Overview
Luzerne is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Luzerne County. The total population is 2,723. It ranks as the 521st most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Luzerne is 49.3 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Luzerne is $42,135. This is 46% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $113,900. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Luzerne is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Luzerne has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 82.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Luzerne, 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 Luzerne, Pennsylvania?
Luzerne, Pennsylvania has a population of 2,723 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Luzerne, PA?
The median household income in Luzerne is $42,135, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Luzerne, PA?
The poverty rate in Luzerne is 19.9%. This means approximately 542 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Luzerne, Pennsylvania?
Luzerne's population is 91.1% White, 1.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Luzerne, PA?
The median home value in Luzerne is $113,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Luzerne, Pennsylvania?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Luzerne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.