Rochester, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rochester, Pennsylvania had a total population of 3,422, the 416th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $43,080, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Rochester Quick Facts
How Rochester 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 | 3,445 | 3,422 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $40,710 | $43,080 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $109,300 | $116,800 | +6.9% |
How Rochester 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+)
Rochester Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Beaver County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliquippa | 9,079 | $50,188 | 22.9% | $98,400 |
| Economy | 9,005 | $95,313 | 6.5% | $250,800 |
| Beaver Falls | 8,850 | $49,924 | 20.9% | $92,100 |
| Ellwood City | 7,532 | $67,138 | 9.5% | $122,800 |
| Ambridge | 6,890 | $51,537 | 15.5% | $98,200 |
| New Brighton | 5,567 | $52,939 | 16.1% | $109,200 |
| Monaca | 5,519 | $73,538 | 10.5% | $162,700 |
| Beaver | 4,374 | $81,156 | 6.1% | $254,100 |
| Baden | 3,843 | $63,400 | 8.4% | $150,400 |
| Ohioville | 3,324 | $80,673 | 6.5% | $202,100 |
Cities Similar to Rochester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahanoy City | 3,507 | $37,727 | $52,400 | 8.2% | 35.9% |
| Slippery Rock | 3,495 | $52,262 | $255,400 | 34.7% | 33.8% |
| Etna | 3,364 | $53,654 | $135,800 | 26.2% | 17.8% |
| Mount Oliver | 3,319 | $52,297 | $96,900 | 17.5% | 15.1% |
| Kane | 3,537 | $52,353 | $73,600 | 22.3% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Rochester is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Beaver County. The total population is 3,422. It ranks as the 416th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rochester is 42.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rochester is $43,080. This is 45% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 101% 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 9.3%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $116,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Rochester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rochester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rochester, 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 Rochester, Pennsylvania?
Rochester, Pennsylvania has a population of 3,422 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rochester, PA?
The median household income in Rochester is $43,080, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rochester, PA?
The poverty rate in Rochester is 23.5%. This means approximately 785 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rochester, Pennsylvania?
Rochester's population is 82.8% White, 11.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rochester, PA?
The median home value in Rochester is $116,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Rochester, Pennsylvania?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Rochester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.