Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania had a total population of 2,071, the 647th largest community in Pennsylvania. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 14.4% is notably above the national average.
Shippensburg University Quick Facts
How Shippensburg University 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 | 1,944 | 2,071 | +6.5% |
How Shippensburg University 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shippensburg University Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle | 21,852 | $61,720 | 15.1% | $224,100 |
| Mechanicsburg | 9,720 | $84,421 | 5.6% | $241,200 |
| Camp Hill | 8,169 | $115,761 | 6.6% | $316,300 |
| Lower Allen | 7,646 | $88,533 | 7.0% | $263,200 |
| New Cumberland | 7,580 | $82,154 | 10.3% | $244,500 |
| Enola | 6,534 | $72,135 | 5.0% | $171,700 |
| Shippensburg | 5,620 | $51,503 | 10.8% | $177,700 |
| Schlusser | 5,402 | $92,234 | 7.8% | $241,000 |
| Lemoyne | 4,742 | $62,086 | 12.5% | $241,300 |
| Boiling Springs | 3,334 | $126,927 | 5.7% | $379,900 |
Cities Similar to Shippensburg University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evans City | 2,074 | $74,107 | $221,400 | 31.9% | 4.1% |
| Lemont | 2,076 | $101,526 | $385,600 | 49.6% | 4.1% |
| McDonald | 2,065 | $65,625 | $165,100 | 23.6% | 8.0% |
| Mount Cobb | 2,065 | $105,577 | $289,800 | 30.4% | 10.9% |
| Edgewood | 2,078 | $45,759 | $85,200 | 16.7% | 22.1% |
Population Overview
Shippensburg University is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Cumberland County. The total population is 2,071. It ranks as the 647th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shippensburg University is 19.8 years. This is 52% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Shippensburg University. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The unemployment rate is 14.4%. This is 173% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Shippensburg University was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shippensburg University is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (17.1% vs 10.3%).
Education
43.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% higher 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 53.3%. Notably, 43.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shippensburg University, 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 Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania?
Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania has a population of 2,071 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shippensburg University, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Shippensburg University — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shippensburg University, PA?
The ACS sample for Shippensburg University recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania?
Shippensburg University's population is 65.5% White, 17.1% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shippensburg University, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Shippensburg University — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania?
43.3% of adults (25+) in Shippensburg University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.