McKeesport city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, McKeesport city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 17,520, the 39th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $31,854, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
McKeesport city Quick Facts
How McKeesport 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+)
McKeesport city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Allegheny County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh city | 303,620 | $64,137 | 19.5% | $193,200 |
| Bethel Park municipality | 33,070 | $104,129 | 4.3% | $258,700 |
| Monroeville municipality | 28,383 | $78,191 | 9.8% | $197,400 |
| Plum borough | 26,873 | $98,475 | 3.0% | $218,600 |
| Baldwin borough | 21,159 | $77,882 | 10.4% | $191,700 |
| West Mifflin borough | 19,338 | $70,335 | 11.8% | $131,400 |
| Franklin Park borough | 15,273 | $172,200 | 0.9% | $467,700 |
| Whitehall borough | 14,863 | $85,000 | 8.2% | $229,200 |
| Wilkinsburg borough | 14,165 | $48,565 | 20.3% | $140,300 |
| Jefferson Hills borough | 12,313 | $117,518 | 2.0% | $309,600 |
Cities Similar to McKeesport city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown city | 18,245 | $34,784 | $42,100 | 14.9% | 31.2% |
| New Castle city | 21,727 | $41,478 | $72,000 | 15.2% | 26.1% |
| Indiana borough | 14,170 | $44,784 | $123,300 | 51.0% | 19.8% |
| Fullerton CDP | 16,729 | $63,357 | $229,900 | 23.2% | 15.8% |
| Butler city | 13,306 | $41,705 | $112,500 | 21.2% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
McKeesport city is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Allegheny County. The total population is 17,520. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in McKeesport city is 40.5 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McKeesport city is $31,854. This is 58% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 32.9%. This is 180% 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 10.1%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $69,800. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, McKeesport city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McKeesport city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.1% vs 10.3%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McKeesport 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McKeesport city, Pennsylvania?
McKeesport city, Pennsylvania has a population of 17,520 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McKeesport city, PA?
The median household income in McKeesport city is $31,854, which is 59% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in McKeesport city, PA?
The poverty rate in McKeesport city is 32.9%. This means approximately 5,502 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McKeesport city, Pennsylvania?
McKeesport city's population is 47.0% White, 38.1% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in McKeesport city, PA?
The median home value in McKeesport city is $69,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is McKeesport city, Pennsylvania?
12.3% of adults (25+) in McKeesport city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.