Shippensburg borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Shippensburg borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 5,811, the 224th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $52,344, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Shippensburg borough Quick Facts
How Shippensburg borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shippensburg borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg borough | 22,051 | $56,177 | 11.7% | $196,200 |
| Waynesboro borough | 11,044 | $58,311 | 9.2% | $180,400 |
| Greencastle borough | 4,237 | $74,725 | 4.5% | $255,200 |
| Mercersburg borough | 1,940 | $69,583 | 10.4% | $210,400 |
| Mont Alto borough | 1,531 | $74,722 | 12.9% | $188,000 |
| Orrstown borough | 357 | $65,217 | 7.7% | $144,500 |
Cities Similar to Shippensburg borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Carmel borough | 5,695 | $52,667 | $74,700 | 17.2% | 16.2% |
| Clearfield borough | 5,918 | $51,190 | $100,800 | 23.3% | 20.1% |
| New Brighton borough | 5,600 | $50,426 | $104,100 | 16.9% | 18.7% |
| New Holland borough | 5,743 | $57,719 | $225,500 | 22.7% | 11.2% |
| Franklin city | 6,026 | $54,955 | $109,200 | 24.6% | 17.2% |
Population Overview
Shippensburg borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Franklin County. The total population is 5,811. It ranks as the 224th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shippensburg borough is 34.6 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shippensburg borough is $52,344. This is 31% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 1% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $163,200. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 46.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shippensburg borough has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 8.4%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
33.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 90.9%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shippensburg borough, 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 Shippensburg borough, Pennsylvania?
Shippensburg borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,811 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shippensburg borough, PA?
The median household income in Shippensburg borough is $52,344, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Shippensburg borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Shippensburg borough is 11.7%. This means approximately 669 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shippensburg borough, Pennsylvania?
Shippensburg borough's population is 92.8% White, 1.8% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shippensburg borough, PA?
The median home value in Shippensburg borough is $163,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Shippensburg borough, Pennsylvania?
33.1% of adults (25+) in Shippensburg borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.