New Castle city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, New Castle city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 21,727, the 29th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $41,478, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.8% is notably above the national average.
New Castle city Quick Facts
How New Castle city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Castle city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellwood City borough | 7,575 | $62,266 | 10.2% | $120,400 |
| New Wilmington borough | 2,291 | $57,159 | 9.7% | $204,300 |
| Ellport borough | 1,125 | $77,639 | 8.0% | $154,800 |
| Bessemer borough | 933 | $63,214 | 10.3% | $111,700 |
| South New Castle borough | 849 | $62,321 | 4.5% | $86,000 |
| Wampum borough | 498 | $49,375 | 19.0% | $97,200 |
| Enon Valley borough | 371 | $69,531 | 14.3% | $122,600 |
| Volant borough | 77 | $52,500 | 2.6% | $125,000 |
| S.N.P.J. borough | 11 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to New Castle city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg borough | 22,051 | $56,177 | $196,200 | 26.7% | 11.7% |
| Carlisle borough | 21,335 | $59,742 | $212,400 | 37.8% | 17.4% |
| Pottstown borough | 23,392 | $56,174 | $172,300 | 20.3% | 19.8% |
| Johnstown city | 18,245 | $34,784 | $42,100 | 14.9% | 31.2% |
| Lebanon city | 26,600 | $47,439 | $143,200 | 14.7% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
New Castle city is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lawrence County. The total population is 21,727. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Castle city is 37.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Castle city is $41,478. This is 45% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 122% 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 13.8%. This is 164% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $72,000. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, New Castle city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Castle city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.4%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Castle 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 New Castle city, Pennsylvania?
New Castle city, Pennsylvania has a population of 21,727 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Castle city, PA?
The median household income in New Castle city is $41,478, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in New Castle city, PA?
The poverty rate in New Castle city is 26.1%. This means approximately 5,518 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Castle city, Pennsylvania?
New Castle city's population is 75.8% White, 10.4% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Castle city, PA?
The median home value in New Castle city is $72,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is New Castle city, Pennsylvania?
15.2% of adults (25+) in New Castle city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.