McKeesport, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McKeesport, Pennsylvania had a total population of 17,380, the 39th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $34,219, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
McKeesport Quick Facts
How McKeesport 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 | 17,520 | 17,380 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $31,854 | $34,219 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $69,800 | $72,700 | +4.2% |
How McKeesport 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+)
McKeesport 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 |
| Franklin Park | 15,235 | $176,875 | 0.7% | $485,600 |
| Whitehall | 14,811 | $89,404 | 6.7% | $236,200 |
| Wilkinsburg | 14,027 | $46,416 | 20.4% | $155,500 |
Cities Similar to McKeesport
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown | 18,087 | $37,888 | $45,400 | 15.8% | 31.9% |
| Indiana | 14,212 | $40,857 | $135,600 | 48.9% | 21.7% |
| New Castle | 21,579 | $42,219 | $77,400 | 16.3% | 28.0% |
| Hanover | 16,584 | $61,293 | $212,800 | 15.9% | 14.5% |
| Wilkinsburg | 14,027 | $46,416 | $155,500 | 36.7% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
McKeesport is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Allegheny County. The total population is 17,380. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in McKeesport is 41.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McKeesport is $34,219. This is 56% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.0%. This is 173% 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 11.5%. This is 119% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $72,700. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, McKeesport is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McKeesport is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.7% vs 10.3%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
11.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 85.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McKeesport, 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.
Free data download: Get all Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McKeesport, Pennsylvania?
McKeesport, Pennsylvania has a population of 17,380 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McKeesport, PA?
The median household income in McKeesport is $34,219, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McKeesport, PA?
The poverty rate in McKeesport is 32.0%. This means approximately 5,291 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McKeesport, Pennsylvania?
McKeesport's population is 49.3% White, 35.7% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in McKeesport, PA?
The median home value in McKeesport is $72,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is McKeesport, Pennsylvania?
11.0% of adults (25+) in McKeesport hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.