New Castle, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Castle, Pennsylvania had a total population of 21,579, the 30th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $42,219, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.5% is notably above the national average.
New Castle Quick Facts
How New Castle 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 | 21,727 | 21,579 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $41,478 | $42,219 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $72,000 | $77,400 | +7.5% |
How New Castle 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+)
New Castle Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Wilmington | 2,395 | $73,696 | 8.5% | $209,800 |
| Oakwood | 2,253 | $71,583 | 4.8% | $118,400 |
| New Beaver | 1,343 | $61,417 | 6.6% | $135,600 |
| Oakland (Lawrence County) | 1,330 | $63,372 | 7.8% | $125,800 |
| New Castle Northwest | 1,223 | $72,500 | 7.8% | $155,300 |
| Ellport | 1,127 | $74,625 | 5.7% | $165,100 |
| West Pittsburg | 909 | $44,510 | 10.9% | $106,900 |
| Bessemer | 881 | $65,893 | 10.8% | $122,700 |
| New Bedford | 813 | $90,000 | 0.0% | $204,400 |
| South New Castle | 712 | $69,375 | 5.9% | $104,100 |
Cities Similar to New Castle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg | 22,319 | $56,576 | $215,000 | 27.3% | 15.3% |
| Carlisle | 21,852 | $61,720 | $224,100 | 37.9% | 15.1% |
| Johnstown | 18,087 | $37,888 | $45,400 | 15.8% | 31.9% |
| Pottstown | 23,476 | $60,828 | $195,400 | 21.1% | 17.5% |
| Lebanon | 26,536 | $48,456 | $156,500 | 15.9% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
New Castle is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lawrence County. The total population is 21,579. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Castle is 39.5 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Castle is $42,219. This is 46% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 139% 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 12.5%. This is 137% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $77,400. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, New Castle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.9% 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 is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Castle, 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 New Castle, Pennsylvania?
New Castle, Pennsylvania has a population of 21,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Castle, PA?
The median household income in New Castle is $42,219, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Castle, PA?
The poverty rate in New Castle is 28.0%. This means approximately 5,891 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Castle, Pennsylvania?
New Castle's population is 75.7% White, 10.8% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Castle, PA?
The median home value in New Castle is $77,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is New Castle, Pennsylvania?
16.3% of adults (25+) in New Castle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.