Shippensburg, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania had a total population of 5,620, the 235th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $51,503, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Shippensburg Quick Facts
How Shippensburg 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 | 5,811 | 5,620 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $52,344 | $51,503 | -1.6% |
| Median home value | $163,200 | $177,700 | +8.9% |
How Shippensburg 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+)
Shippensburg 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 |
| 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 |
| Wormleysburg | 3,077 | $88,250 | 4.6% | $223,400 |
Cities Similar to Shippensburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brighton | 5,567 | $52,939 | $109,200 | 16.8% | 16.1% |
| Mount Carmel | 5,677 | $53,021 | $81,800 | 17.7% | 16.2% |
| Greenville | 5,523 | $52,661 | $115,100 | 29.1% | 16.5% |
| Sayre | 5,431 | $50,801 | $169,500 | 35.7% | 7.8% |
| Edinboro | 5,440 | $48,173 | $222,700 | 60.5% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Shippensburg is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Cumberland County. The total population is 5,620. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shippensburg is 34.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. 10.5% 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 Shippensburg is $51,503. This is 34% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $177,700. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 44.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shippensburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 90.7%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shippensburg, 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, Pennsylvania?
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,620 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shippensburg, PA?
The median household income in Shippensburg is $51,503, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shippensburg, PA?
The poverty rate in Shippensburg is 10.8%. This means approximately 601 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania?
Shippensburg's population is 92.1% White, 3.8% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shippensburg, PA?
The median home value in Shippensburg is $177,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Shippensburg, Pennsylvania?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Shippensburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.