Palmdale, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palmdale, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,542, the 771st largest community in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $62,628, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Palmdale Quick Facts
How Palmdale 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 | 1,507 | 1,542 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $60,449 | $62,628 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $221,500 | $261,400 | +18.0% |
How Palmdale 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+)
Palmdale Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | 30.5% | $124,200 |
| Colonial Park | 18,032 | $73,105 | 9.9% | $231,100 |
| Hershey | 14,242 | $78,587 | 17.6% | $379,200 |
| Progress | 11,017 | $73,030 | 10.4% | $202,500 |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | 12.4% | $161,600 |
| Linglestown | 6,957 | $92,558 | 4.2% | $259,400 |
| Rutherford | 6,890 | $83,636 | 8.3% | $214,200 |
| Steelton | 6,296 | $58,194 | 19.6% | $134,800 |
| Lawnton | 4,765 | $84,861 | 2.5% | $222,600 |
| Skyline View | 4,704 | $97,982 | 2.6% | $299,600 |
Cities Similar to Palmdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orchard Hills | 1,546 | $61,442 | $125,800 | 18.6% | 14.0% |
| Perryopolis | 1,529 | $61,319 | $163,700 | 26.4% | 12.0% |
| Montgomery | 1,564 | $63,936 | $145,900 | 18.3% | 5.3% |
| Nescopeck | 1,486 | $62,833 | $168,200 | 23.7% | 9.1% |
| Penn State Erie (Behrend) | 1,607 | N/A | N/A | 77.1% | N/A |
Population Overview
Palmdale is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 1,542. It ranks as the 771st most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmdale is 30.3 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. With 36.8% of the population under 18, Palmdale has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmdale is $62,628. This is 20% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 131% 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 4.3%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $261,400. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 33.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palmdale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 25.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (25.8% vs 3.8%).
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 82.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmdale, 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 Palmdale, Pennsylvania?
Palmdale, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,542 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmdale, PA?
The median household income in Palmdale is $62,628, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palmdale, PA?
The poverty rate in Palmdale is 27.1%. This means approximately 392 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmdale, Pennsylvania?
Palmdale's population is 63.0% White, 0.0% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 25.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmdale, PA?
The median home value in Palmdale is $261,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Palmdale, Pennsylvania?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Palmdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.