Scranton city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Scranton city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 76,074, the 7th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $49,531, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Scranton city Quick Facts
How Scranton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Scranton city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lackawanna County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunmore borough | 14,123 | $75,632 | 11.4% | $186,900 |
| Carbondale city | 8,820 | $48,592 | 25.0% | $118,800 |
| Old Forge borough | 8,533 | $73,258 | 7.4% | $169,700 |
| Archbald borough | 7,348 | $76,315 | 8.6% | $211,400 |
| Blakely borough | 6,661 | $59,858 | 7.7% | $183,600 |
| Taylor borough | 6,261 | $60,446 | 14.1% | $169,800 |
| Dickson City borough | 6,022 | $58,343 | 14.7% | $184,700 |
| Moosic borough | 5,954 | $74,792 | 7.5% | $235,500 |
| Olyphant borough | 5,370 | $63,516 | 10.0% | $143,400 |
| Clarks Summit borough | 5,058 | $91,442 | 2.8% | $236,900 |
Cities Similar to Scranton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem city | 77,069 | $66,443 | $236,500 | 35.0% | 15.8% |
| Reading city | 94,836 | $45,599 | $109,800 | 11.7% | 27.0% |
| Erie city | 94,156 | $43,397 | $108,200 | 22.3% | 24.6% |
| Lancaster city | 57,683 | $63,421 | $203,700 | 27.2% | 20.7% |
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | $121,000 | 26.3% | 29.1% |
Population Overview
Scranton city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Lackawanna County. The total population is 76,074. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Scranton city is 37.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Scranton city is $49,531. This is 35% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 5.5%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $141,700. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Scranton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Scranton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.5% vs 8.4%).
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Scranton city, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Scranton city, Pennsylvania?
Scranton city, Pennsylvania has a population of 76,074 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Scranton city, PA?
The median household income in Scranton city is $49,531, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Scranton city, PA?
The poverty rate in Scranton city is 22.0%. This means approximately 15,520 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Scranton city, Pennsylvania?
Scranton city's population is 68.0% White, 6.3% Black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Scranton city, PA?
The median home value in Scranton city is $141,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Scranton city, Pennsylvania?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Scranton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.