North East, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, North East, Pennsylvania had a total population of 4,054, the 356th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $68,828, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
North East Quick Facts
How North East 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 | 4,069 | 4,054 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $67,469 | $68,828 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $151,000 | $167,000 | +10.6% |
How North East 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+)
North East Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | 23.3% | $115,200 |
| Northwest Harborcreek | 8,753 | $93,617 | 6.8% | $225,800 |
| Corry | 6,116 | $48,618 | 25.9% | $96,800 |
| Edinboro | 5,440 | $48,173 | 20.5% | $222,700 |
| Lawrence Park | 3,775 | $74,548 | 15.0% | $138,800 |
| Wesleyville | 3,179 | $48,952 | 16.0% | $108,600 |
| Girard | 2,962 | $71,165 | 8.8% | $160,500 |
| Lake City | 2,895 | $75,048 | 10.8% | $165,600 |
| Union City | 2,887 | $44,004 | 23.7% | $88,100 |
| Fairview | 2,691 | $86,645 | 8.1% | $209,600 |
Cities Similar to North East
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Shore | 4,121 | $72,361 | $153,000 | 21.0% | 7.0% |
| Emigsville | 4,254 | $69,816 | $228,000 | 30.0% | 9.4% |
| Indian Mountain Lake | 3,889 | $71,547 | $208,100 | 23.6% | 15.4% |
| Plains | 4,153 | $74,150 | $155,100 | 30.2% | 17.4% |
| Laureldale | 4,284 | $69,821 | $179,500 | 11.0% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
North East is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Erie County. The total population is 4,054. It ranks as the 356th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in North East is 43.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in North East is $68,828. This is 12% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 9.2%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $167,000. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, North East is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
North East has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for North East, 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 North East, Pennsylvania?
North East, Pennsylvania has a population of 4,054 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in North East, PA?
The median household income in North East is $68,828, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in North East, PA?
The poverty rate in North East is 19.2%. This means approximately 771 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of North East, Pennsylvania?
North East's population is 90.1% White, 1.3% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in North East, PA?
The median home value in North East is $167,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is North East, Pennsylvania?
24.0% of adults (25+) in North East hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.