Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,579,706, the 1st largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $61,953, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia is the 1st largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,579,706.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Pennsylvania (diversity index: 71/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Philadelphia Quick Facts
How Philadelphia 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 | 1,582,432 | 1,579,706 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $61,953 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $232,400 | $243,100 | +4.6% |
How Philadelphia 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Philadelphia Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Cities Similar to Philadelphia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 304,759 | $65,742 | $205,800 | 49.1% | 20.1% |
| Allentown | 125,976 | $55,494 | $206,600 | 19.1% | 21.0% |
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | $115,200 | 23.1% | 23.3% |
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | $121,300 | 11.4% | 28.7% |
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | 36.0% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Philadelphia is a major urban center located in Pennsylvania, within Philadelphia County. The total population is 1,579,706. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Philadelphia is 35.3 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Philadelphia is $61,953. This is 21% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 82% 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 8.2%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $243,100. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Philadelphia is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.2%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.3% vs 10.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.6% vs 8.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.9% vs 3.8%).
Education
35.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 87.8%. Notably, 15.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,579,706 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Philadelphia, PA?
The median household income in Philadelphia is $61,953, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Philadelphia, PA?
The poverty rate in Philadelphia is 21.4%. This means approximately 327,969 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia's population is 33.2% White, 38.3% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Philadelphia, PA?
The median home value in Philadelphia is $243,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
35.4% of adults (25+) in Philadelphia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.