Rural Valley, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rural Valley, Pennsylvania had a total population of 1,019, the 985th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $68,512, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
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.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Rural Valley Quick Facts
How Rural Valley 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 | 929 | 1,019 | +9.7% |
| Median household income | $70,625 | $68,512 | -3.0% |
| Median home value | $135,000 | $145,200 | +7.6% |
How Rural Valley 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+)
Rural Valley Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Armstrong County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kittanning | 3,902 | $51,711 | 20.7% | $101,300 |
| Ford City | 2,813 | $57,971 | 17.4% | $84,400 |
| Leechburg | 1,985 | $48,207 | 19.7% | $97,600 |
| Freeport | 1,708 | $48,843 | 27.3% | $110,600 |
| West Hills | 1,584 | $97,754 | 10.2% | $226,400 |
| Orchard Hills | 1,546 | $61,442 | 14.0% | $125,800 |
| Apollo | 1,488 | $52,000 | 18.2% | $91,100 |
| West Kittanning | 1,284 | $65,547 | 6.9% | $122,400 |
| North Apollo | 1,156 | $66,629 | 15.7% | $140,600 |
| Lenape Heights | 1,042 | $76,250 | 0.1% | $161,500 |
Cities Similar to Rural Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misericordia University | 1,011 | N/A | N/A | 9.7% | N/A |
| White Haven | 1,014 | $67,656 | $175,300 | 23.6% | 17.1% |
| DeSales University | 1,052 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 85.7% |
| McElhattan | 1,036 | $71,250 | $215,500 | 22.4% | 12.5% |
| East Brady | 1,041 | $66,250 | $143,500 | 25.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Rural Valley is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Armstrong County. The total population is 1,019. It ranks as the 985th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rural Valley is 45.5 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rural Valley is $68,512. This is 12% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 12.3%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $145,200. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Rural Valley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Rural Valley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rural Valley, 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 Rural Valley, Pennsylvania?
Rural Valley, Pennsylvania has a population of 1,019 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rural Valley, PA?
The median household income in Rural Valley is $68,512, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rural Valley, PA?
The poverty rate in Rural Valley is 9.8%. This means approximately 99 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rural Valley, Pennsylvania?
Rural Valley's population is 94.1% White, 0.2% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rural Valley, PA?
The median home value in Rural Valley is $145,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Rural Valley, Pennsylvania?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Rural Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.