Plains, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plains, Pennsylvania had a total population of 4,153, the 348th largest community in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $74,150, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
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 2.1x.
Plains Quick Facts
How Plains 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 | 4,369 | 4,153 | -4.9% |
| Median household income | $65,417 | $74,150 | +13.3% |
| Median home value | $141,800 | $155,100 | +9.4% |
How Plains 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+)
Plains Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Luzerne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | 23.1% | $117,200 |
| Hazleton | 30,111 | $46,177 | 25.0% | $151,600 |
| Kingston | 13,397 | $55,347 | 18.3% | $172,900 |
| Mountain Top | 11,850 | $109,535 | 5.8% | $297,700 |
| Nanticoke | 10,653 | $57,462 | 19.4% | $108,100 |
| Pittston | 7,626 | $49,941 | 20.0% | $126,800 |
| Plymouth | 5,770 | $39,167 | 24.1% | $92,500 |
| Exeter | 5,541 | $57,639 | 11.1% | $146,800 |
| West Hazleton | 5,178 | $34,118 | 34.9% | $151,800 |
| Duryea | 5,084 | $62,462 | 22.6% | $157,900 |
Cities Similar to Plains
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 4,143 | $76,569 | $264,600 | 20.9% | 5.0% |
| Jersey Shore | 4,121 | $72,361 | $153,000 | 21.0% | 7.0% |
| Forty Fort | 4,252 | $74,432 | $173,000 | 28.6% | 11.6% |
| Aldan | 4,259 | $74,514 | $234,800 | 28.7% | 8.9% |
| Greencastle | 4,222 | $77,419 | $264,500 | 33.5% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Plains is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Luzerne County. The total population is 4,153. It ranks as the 348th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plains is 42.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plains is $74,150. This is 5% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $155,100. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Plains is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Plains has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
30.2% 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 Plains, 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 Plains, Pennsylvania?
Plains, Pennsylvania has a population of 4,153 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plains, PA?
The median household income in Plains is $74,150, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plains, PA?
The poverty rate in Plains is 17.4%. This means approximately 720 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plains, Pennsylvania?
Plains's population is 86.3% White, 1.7% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plains, PA?
The median home value in Plains is $155,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Plains, Pennsylvania?
30.2% of adults (25+) in Plains hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.