Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 5,624, the 235th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $71,471, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Palmerton borough Quick Facts
How Palmerton borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palmerton borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Carbon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lehighton borough | 5,268 | $62,083 | 13.1% | $198,600 |
| Jim Thorpe borough | 4,534 | $70,625 | 7.6% | $177,400 |
| Lansford borough | 4,144 | $44,078 | 24.0% | $48,700 |
| Nesquehoning borough | 3,345 | $53,571 | 15.8% | $105,400 |
| Summit Hill borough | 3,128 | $66,685 | 27.2% | $99,100 |
| Weatherly borough | 2,556 | $55,298 | 20.9% | $148,300 |
| Bowmanstown borough | 994 | $67,125 | 7.1% | $181,600 |
| Beaver Meadows borough | 804 | $56,563 | 18.2% | $116,300 |
| Weissport borough | 492 | $58,036 | 16.5% | $76,400 |
| Parryville borough | 386 | $62,917 | 6.0% | $184,000 |
Cities Similar to Palmerton borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monaca borough | 5,557 | $64,839 | $142,100 | 22.8% | 15.9% |
| Crafton borough | 5,995 | $71,458 | $193,600 | 35.9% | 8.4% |
| Shillington borough | 5,462 | $77,289 | $190,600 | 22.1% | 14.2% |
| Enola CDP | 5,913 | $68,131 | $163,900 | 27.8% | 7.4% |
| Hollidaysburg borough | 5,581 | $62,319 | $190,500 | 46.6% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Palmerton borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Carbon County. The total population is 5,624. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palmerton borough is 43.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palmerton borough is $71,471. This is 6% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $161,500. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Palmerton borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Palmerton borough has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania?
Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,624 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palmerton borough, PA?
The median household income in Palmerton borough is $71,471, which is 9% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Palmerton borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Palmerton borough is 12.3%. This means approximately 690 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania?
Palmerton borough's population is 95.4% White, 0.0% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palmerton borough, PA?
The median home value in Palmerton borough is $161,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Palmerton borough, Pennsylvania?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Palmerton borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.