Ridgway, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ridgway, Pennsylvania had a total population of 3,969, the 360th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $52,863, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Ridgway Quick Facts
How Ridgway 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 | 3,991 | 3,969 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $52,059 | $52,863 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $87,000 | $94,900 | +9.1% |
How Ridgway 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+)
Ridgway Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Elk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | 12,529 | $67,167 | 7.8% | $149,000 |
| Johnsonburg | 2,424 | $61,484 | 12.3% | $62,200 |
| Kersey | 743 | $53,531 | 21.1% | $227,600 |
| Weedville | 523 | $62,054 | 10.5% | $170,000 |
| Byrnedale | 434 | $90,568 | 1.4% | $76,800 |
| Wilcox | 323 | $57,500 | 18.6% | $61,800 |
| Force | 226 | $31,071 | 7.5% | $54,500 |
| James City | 174 | $65,789 | 12.6% | $55,800 |
Cities Similar to Ridgway
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warminster Heights | 3,940 | $53,472 | $375,200 | 28.8% | 15.1% |
| Kittanning | 3,902 | $51,711 | $101,300 | 17.6% | 20.7% |
| Windber | 3,860 | $52,438 | $99,000 | 20.6% | 13.9% |
| Waynesburg | 3,811 | $54,050 | $158,200 | 33.3% | 15.1% |
| Kutztown | 4,180 | $53,090 | $263,100 | 41.0% | 20.6% |
Population Overview
Ridgway is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Elk County. The total population is 3,969. It ranks as the 360th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ridgway is 46.0 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ridgway is $52,863. This is 32% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $94,900. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Ridgway is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ridgway has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ridgway, 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 Ridgway, Pennsylvania?
Ridgway, Pennsylvania has a population of 3,969 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ridgway, PA?
The median household income in Ridgway is $52,863, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ridgway, PA?
The poverty rate in Ridgway is 13.0%. This means approximately 511 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ridgway, Pennsylvania?
Ridgway's population is 93.8% White, 0.4% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ridgway, PA?
The median home value in Ridgway is $94,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Ridgway, Pennsylvania?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Ridgway hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.