McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania had a total population of 5,786, the 228th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $41,131, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
McKees Rocks Quick Facts
How McKees Rocks 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 | 5,827 | 5,786 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $33,510 | $41,131 | +22.7% |
| Median home value | $70,400 | $75,600 | +7.4% |
How McKees Rocks 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+)
McKees Rocks Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Allegheny County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 304,759 | $65,742 | 20.1% | $205,800 |
| Bethel Park | 32,881 | $107,090 | 4.0% | $273,400 |
| Monroeville | 28,295 | $79,218 | 10.7% | $209,800 |
| Plum | 26,723 | $98,705 | 3.6% | $227,600 |
| Allison Park | 22,045 | $113,822 | 3.6% | $346,900 |
| Baldwin | 21,057 | $80,983 | 9.5% | $208,400 |
| West Mifflin | 19,190 | $76,563 | 11.2% | $151,600 |
| McKeesport | 17,380 | $34,219 | 32.0% | $72,700 |
| Franklin Park | 15,235 | $176,875 | 0.7% | $485,600 |
| Whitehall | 14,811 | $89,404 | 6.7% | $236,200 |
Cities Similar to McKees Rocks
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | 5,770 | $39,167 | $92,500 | 9.8% | 24.1% |
| Punxsutawney | 5,665 | $42,183 | $99,000 | 18.7% | 20.8% |
| Somerset | 5,944 | $47,102 | $163,600 | 24.0% | 17.2% |
| Franklin | 5,984 | $47,117 | $116,900 | 22.7% | 17.3% |
| Clairton | 6,044 | $36,538 | $66,500 | 21.2% | 33.0% |
Population Overview
McKees Rocks is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Allegheny County. The total population is 5,786. It ranks as the 228th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in McKees Rocks is 40.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McKees Rocks is $41,131. This is 47% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.1%. This is 174% 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 10.2%. This is 94% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $75,600. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, McKees Rocks is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 41.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McKees Rocks is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.1% vs 10.3%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
9.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McKees Rocks, 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 McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania?
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,786 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McKees Rocks, PA?
The median household income in McKees Rocks is $41,131, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McKees Rocks, PA?
The poverty rate in McKees Rocks is 32.1%. This means approximately 1,836 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania?
McKees Rocks's population is 54.3% White, 22.1% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in McKees Rocks, PA?
The median home value in McKees Rocks is $75,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania?
9.1% of adults (25+) in McKees Rocks hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.