Portage, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portage, Pennsylvania had a total population of 2,495, the 568th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $45,556, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Portage Quick Facts
How Portage 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 | 2,477 | 2,495 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $46,389 | $45,556 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $88,800 | $94,800 | +6.8% |
How Portage 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+)
Portage Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cambria County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown | 18,087 | $37,888 | 31.9% | $45,400 |
| Westmont | 4,855 | $108,988 | 7.8% | $180,800 |
| Elim | 3,759 | $65,482 | 5.8% | $113,000 |
| Northern Cambria | 3,494 | $54,673 | 29.2% | $93,100 |
| Ebensburg | 3,321 | $58,179 | 9.5% | $174,700 |
| Belmont | 2,618 | $69,146 | 8.5% | $144,900 |
| Nanty-Glo | 2,598 | $51,604 | 19.5% | $83,700 |
| Geistown | 2,507 | $63,958 | 6.9% | $154,700 |
| Southmont | 2,059 | $73,400 | 9.3% | $125,800 |
| Patton | 1,809 | $47,875 | 21.8% | $94,100 |
Cities Similar to Portage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAdoo | 2,501 | $45,753 | $90,000 | 13.6% | 20.4% |
| Verona | 2,524 | $48,733 | $145,200 | 21.6% | 13.8% |
| The Hideout | 2,432 | $48,045 | $205,600 | 22.0% | 18.6% |
| Messiah College | 2,329 | N/A | N/A | 70.3% | 0.0% |
| Bentleyville | 2,437 | $51,174 | $148,300 | 13.6% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
Portage is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Cambria County. The total population is 2,495. It ranks as the 568th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage is 44.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage is $45,556. This is 42% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 98% 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 5.1%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $94,800. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Portage is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Portage has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.1%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 10.3%.
Education
20.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage, 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.
Free data download: Get all Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portage, Pennsylvania?
Portage, Pennsylvania has a population of 2,495 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage, PA?
The median household income in Portage is $45,556, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portage, PA?
The poverty rate in Portage is 23.2%. This means approximately 579 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage, Pennsylvania?
Portage's population is 97.2% White, 0.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage, PA?
The median home value in Portage is $94,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Portage, Pennsylvania?
20.4% of adults (25+) in Portage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.