New Kensington, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Kensington, Pennsylvania had a total population of 12,011, the 68th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $49,063, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
New Kensington Quick Facts
How New Kensington 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 | 12,072 | 12,011 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $49,644 | $49,063 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $132,400 | $142,000 | +7.3% |
How New Kensington 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Kensington Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Westmoreland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murrysville | 20,817 | $121,823 | 2.5% | $342,100 |
| Greensburg | 14,741 | $64,914 | 14.4% | $184,100 |
| Lower Burrell | 11,633 | $84,602 | 7.8% | $198,600 |
| Jeannette | 8,657 | $49,188 | 18.8% | $114,400 |
| Latrobe | 7,977 | $56,318 | 16.6% | $145,100 |
| Monessen | 6,780 | $52,889 | 20.8% | $95,900 |
| Vandergrift | 5,011 | $50,901 | 21.5% | $93,900 |
| Arnold | 4,704 | $45,417 | 25.5% | $86,400 |
| Level Green | 4,409 | $101,602 | 1.2% | $276,300 |
| Scottdale | 4,363 | $55,423 | 14.7% | $156,900 |
Cities Similar to New Kensington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeadon | 12,181 | $49,759 | $182,800 | 25.0% | 12.6% |
| Bloomsburg | 13,024 | $51,536 | $179,100 | 32.5% | 26.5% |
| Meadville | 12,577 | $43,308 | $116,400 | 22.7% | 22.3% |
| Sharon | 12,936 | $45,670 | $78,800 | 18.4% | 20.0% |
| Washington | 13,368 | $52,975 | $128,200 | 19.0% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
New Kensington is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Westmoreland County. The total population is 12,011. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Kensington is 48.6 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Kensington is $49,063. This is 37% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $142,000. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, New Kensington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Kensington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
22.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Kensington, 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 Kensington, Pennsylvania?
New Kensington, Pennsylvania has a population of 12,011 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Kensington, PA?
The median household income in New Kensington is $49,063, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Kensington, PA?
The poverty rate in New Kensington is 16.0%. This means approximately 1,907 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Kensington, Pennsylvania?
New Kensington's population is 82.5% White, 8.6% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Kensington, PA?
The median home value in New Kensington is $142,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is New Kensington, Pennsylvania?
22.5% of adults (25+) in New Kensington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.