Old Forge, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Old Forge, Pennsylvania had a total population of 8,573, the 124th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $71,812, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
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.
Old Forge Quick Facts
How Old Forge 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 | 8,533 | 8,573 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $73,258 | $71,812 | -2.0% |
| Median home value | $169,700 | $174,400 | +2.8% |
How Old Forge 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+)
Old Forge Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lackawanna County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | 23.0% | $158,100 |
| Dunmore | 14,181 | $71,302 | 12.0% | $196,100 |
| Carbondale | 8,789 | $47,716 | 26.4% | $132,200 |
| Archbald | 7,404 | $71,936 | 8.2% | $217,000 |
| Blakely | 6,662 | $55,855 | 9.0% | $198,300 |
| Taylor | 6,265 | $71,599 | 11.4% | $182,500 |
| Dickson City | 6,023 | $59,963 | 13.1% | $192,300 |
| Moosic | 5,973 | $80,187 | 7.2% | $250,900 |
| Olyphant | 5,381 | $66,423 | 8.8% | $160,900 |
| Clarks Summit | 5,073 | $92,083 | 4.6% | $234,900 |
Cities Similar to Old Forge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Forest Village | 8,624 | $79,120 | $389,600 | 77.4% | 21.5% |
| Bellevue | 8,128 | $68,827 | $213,300 | 48.7% | 9.4% |
| Millersville | 8,982 | $67,866 | $277,600 | 33.9% | 23.1% |
| Fairless Hills | 8,827 | $80,807 | $358,800 | 25.7% | 13.2% |
| Parkville | 8,128 | $77,352 | $222,400 | 20.8% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Old Forge is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lackawanna County. The total population is 8,573. It ranks as the 124th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Old Forge is 47.4 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 11.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Old Forge is $71,812. This is 8% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $174,400. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Old Forge is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Old Forge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.5%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
30.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Old Forge, 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 Old Forge, Pennsylvania?
Old Forge, Pennsylvania has a population of 8,573 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Old Forge, PA?
The median household income in Old Forge is $71,812, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Old Forge, PA?
The poverty rate in Old Forge is 7.4%. This means approximately 637 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Old Forge, Pennsylvania?
Old Forge's population is 82.0% White, 0.7% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Old Forge, PA?
The median home value in Old Forge is $174,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Old Forge, Pennsylvania?
30.3% of adults (25+) in Old Forge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.