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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026

2nd Largest2nd most populous city in Pennsylvania

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania had a total population of 304,759, the 2nd largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $65,742, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Pittsburgh Quick Facts

Population 304,759
Median Household Income $65,742
Median Home Value $205,800
Poverty Rate 20.1%
Unemployment Rate 6.1%
Median Age 33.6 years
Homeownership Rate 47.7%
Affordability Ratio 3.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 49.1%
High School Graduation Rate 94.4%
Diversity Index 56/100
Population 304,759 2nd of 1,991
Median Income $65,742 average
Poverty Rate 20.1% 61% higher than national
Median Home Value $205,800 above average

How Pittsburgh Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population303,620304,759+0.4%
Median household income$64,137$65,742+2.5%
Median home value$193,200$205,800+6.5%

How Pittsburgh Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 22.0%
$25K-$50K 18.2%
$50K-$100K 27.7%
$100K+ 32.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
8.4%
$10K-$15K
5.5%
$15K-$20K
4.1%
$20K-$25K
4.0%
$25K-$30K
3.4%
$30K-$35K
3.8%
$35K-$40K
4.2%
$40K-$45K
3.9%
$45K-$50K
2.9%
$50K-$60K
6.1%
$60K-$75K
9.8%
$75K-$100K
11.9%
$100K-$125K
8.6%
$125K-$150K
5.9%
$150K-$200K
7.3%
$200K+
10.3%

Employment

6.1% Unemployment Rate State: 5.3%|National: 5.2%
64.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 47.7%
Renter 52.3%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.1x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,261/mo 23.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

56out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Pittsburgh Rankings in Pennsylvania

#2 Population of 1,991
#1050 Median Income of 1,854
#195 Education of 1,987
#711 Home Value of 1,871

Other Cities in Allegheny County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Bethel Park 32,881 $107,090 4.0% $273,400
Monroeville 28,295 $79,218 10.7% $209,800
Plum 26,723 $98,705 3.6% $227,600
Allison Park 22,045 $113,822 3.6% $346,900
Baldwin 21,057 $80,983 9.5% $208,400
West Mifflin 19,190 $76,563 11.2% $151,600
McKeesport 17,380 $34,219 32.0% $72,700
Franklin Park 15,235 $176,875 0.7% $485,600
Whitehall 14,811 $89,404 6.7% $236,200
Wilkinsburg 14,027 $46,416 20.4% $155,500

Cities Similar to Pittsburgh

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Allentown125,976$55,494$206,60019.1%21.0%
Erie93,850$46,113$115,20023.1%23.3%
Reading95,242$44,091$121,30011.4%28.7%
Bethlehem77,956$68,879$260,40036.0%15.7%
Scranton76,033$50,739$158,10023.1%23.0%

Population Overview

Pittsburgh is a major urban center located in Pennsylvania, within Allegheny County. The total population is 304,759. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pittsburgh is 33.6 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Pittsburgh is $65,742. This is 16% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 71% 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 6.1%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $205,800. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 47.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Pittsburgh is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.1% vs 10.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.1% vs 3.8%).

Education

49.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Pittsburgh in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 40% higher 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 94.4%. Notably, 24.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a population of 304,759 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Pittsburgh, PA?

The median household income in Pittsburgh is $65,742, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Pittsburgh, PA?

The poverty rate in Pittsburgh is 20.1%. This means approximately 56,395 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?

Pittsburgh's population is 61.9% White, 22.1% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Pittsburgh, PA?

The median home value in Pittsburgh is $205,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.

How educated is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?

49.1% of adults (25+) in Pittsburgh hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.