Messiah College, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Messiah College, Pennsylvania had a total population of 2,329, the 594th largest community in Pennsylvania. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 70.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Messiah College Quick Facts
How Messiah College 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 | 2,273 | 2,329 | +2.5% |
How Messiah College 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Messiah College Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle | 21,852 | $61,720 | 15.1% | $224,100 |
| Mechanicsburg | 9,720 | $84,421 | 5.6% | $241,200 |
| Camp Hill | 8,169 | $115,761 | 6.6% | $316,300 |
| Lower Allen | 7,646 | $88,533 | 7.0% | $263,200 |
| New Cumberland | 7,580 | $82,154 | 10.3% | $244,500 |
| Enola | 6,534 | $72,135 | 5.0% | $171,700 |
| Shippensburg | 5,620 | $51,503 | 10.8% | $177,700 |
| Schlusser | 5,402 | $92,234 | 7.8% | $241,000 |
| Lemoyne | 4,742 | $62,086 | 12.5% | $241,300 |
| Boiling Springs | 3,334 | $126,927 | 5.7% | $379,900 |
Cities Similar to Messiah College
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Union | 2,328 | $40,625 | $98,200 | 16.2% | 26.7% |
| Colwyn | 2,325 | $46,935 | $128,100 | 11.9% | 34.9% |
| Ashland | 2,324 | $52,708 | $58,800 | 14.7% | 17.4% |
| Roaring Spring | 2,335 | $62,738 | $142,200 | 21.1% | 13.4% |
| Parkside | 2,321 | $93,929 | $212,600 | 26.9% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Messiah College is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Cumberland County. The total population is 2,329. It ranks as the 594th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Messiah College is 20.4 years. This is 50% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Messiah College. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Messiah College is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.7%.
Education
70.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Messiah College in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 100% higher than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 37.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Messiah College, 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 Messiah College, Pennsylvania?
Messiah College, Pennsylvania has a population of 2,329 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Messiah College, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Messiah College — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Messiah College, PA?
The ACS sample for Messiah College recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Messiah College, Pennsylvania?
Messiah College's population is 74.2% White, 7.2% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Messiah College, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Messiah College — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Messiah College, Pennsylvania?
70.3% of adults (25+) in Messiah College hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 37.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.