Oil City, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oil City, Pennsylvania had a total population of 9,468, the 99th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $51,316, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
Oil City Quick Facts
How Oil City 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 | 9,517 | 9,468 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $52,688 | $51,316 | -2.6% |
| Median home value | $66,600 | $74,100 | +11.3% |
How Oil City 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+)
Oil City Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Venango County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | 5,984 | $47,117 | 17.3% | $116,900 |
| Sugarcreek | 4,716 | $63,987 | 9.9% | $108,200 |
| Woodland Heights | 1,585 | $40,200 | 26.2% | $81,400 |
| Seneca | 1,439 | $63,031 | 8.1% | $158,800 |
| Hasson Heights | 1,351 | $74,489 | 21.2% | $114,800 |
| Pleasantville (Venango County) | 759 | $50,972 | 11.5% | $107,900 |
| Emlenton | 663 | $60,913 | 11.2% | $103,900 |
| Polk | 615 | $36,786 | 35.4% | $101,400 |
| Clintonville | 511 | $47,083 | 10.2% | $99,900 |
| Rouseville | 460 | $58,382 | 24.1% | $62,500 |
Cities Similar to Oil City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbury | 9,617 | $51,028 | $107,200 | 11.6% | 18.7% |
| Warren | 9,240 | $53,815 | $103,800 | 25.3% | 9.9% |
| Aliquippa | 9,079 | $50,188 | $98,400 | 22.6% | 22.9% |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | $161,600 | 24.9% | 12.4% |
| Collingdale | 8,897 | $51,886 | $166,600 | 17.0% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Oil City is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Venango County. The total population is 9,468. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oil City is 40.3 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oil City is $51,316. This is 34% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $74,100. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Oil City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oil City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oil City, 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 Oil City, Pennsylvania?
Oil City, Pennsylvania has a population of 9,468 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oil City, PA?
The median household income in Oil City is $51,316, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oil City, PA?
The poverty rate in Oil City is 16.6%. This means approximately 1,517 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oil City, Pennsylvania?
Oil City's population is 93.5% White, 0.7% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oil City, PA?
The median home value in Oil City is $74,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Oil City, Pennsylvania?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Oil City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.