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Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 33.8% is well above the state average

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania had a total population of 3,495, the 406th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $52,262, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.8%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Slippery Rock Quick Facts

Population 3,495
Median Household Income $52,262
Median Home Value $255,400
Poverty Rate 33.8%
Unemployment Rate 5.6%
Median Age 23.3 years
Homeownership Rate 26.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 34.7%
High School Graduation Rate 96.3%
Diversity Index 27/100
Population 3,495 406th of 1,991
Median Income $52,262 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 33.8% 171% higher than national
Median Home Value $255,400 top 30%

How Slippery Rock Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population3,4343,495+1.8%
Median household income$55,272$52,262-5.4%
Median home value$230,200$255,400+10.9%

How Slippery Rock Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 35.9%
$25K-$50K 11.1%
$50K-$100K 27.8%
$100K+ 25.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
15.2%
$10K-$15K
7.8%
$15K-$20K
9.8%
$20K-$25K
3.0%
$25K-$30K
1.9%
$30K-$35K
1.3%
$35K-$40K
0.8%
$40K-$45K
1.8%
$45K-$50K
5.3%
$50K-$60K
10.7%
$60K-$75K
9.6%
$75K-$100K
7.6%
$100K-$125K
11.0%
$125K-$150K
3.2%
$150K-$200K
3.1%
$200K+
8.0%

Employment

5.6% Unemployment Rate State: 5.3%|National: 5.2%
47.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 26.9%
Renter 73.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,015/mo 23.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

27out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Slippery Rock Rankings in Pennsylvania

#406 Population of 1,991
#1501 Median Income of 1,854
#455 Education of 1,987
#424 Home Value of 1,871

Other Cities in Butler County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Butler 13,212 $44,247 21.4% $108,100
Homeacre-Lyndora 6,783 $74,217 11.0% $202,800
Shanor-Northvue 5,125 $95,379 4.9% $259,900
Meridian 3,837 $79,191 3.3% $244,000
Zelienople 3,827 $68,110 6.3% $294,200
Seven Fields 2,884 $114,000 0.6% $409,700
Slippery Rock University 2,853 N/A 100.0% N/A
Meadowood 2,644 $68,750 5.9% $189,700
Oak Hills 2,513 $90,926 6.5% $285,800
Evans City 2,074 $74,107 4.1% $221,400

Cities Similar to Slippery Rock

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Kane3,537$52,353$73,60022.3%9.7%
Northern Cambria3,494$54,673$93,10021.4%29.2%
Etna3,364$53,654$135,80026.2%17.8%
Mount Oliver3,319$52,297$96,90017.5%15.1%
Athens3,243$53,000$167,20027.4%12.8%

Population Overview

Slippery Rock is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Butler County. The total population is 3,495. It ranks as the 406th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.

Age Demographics

The median age in Slippery Rock is 23.3 years. This is 43% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 10.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Slippery Rock is $52,262. This is 33% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.8%. This is 188% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 5.6%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $255,400. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 26.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 61% lower than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Slippery Rock is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.

Education

34.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% 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 96.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Slippery Rock, 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 Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania?

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania has a population of 3,495 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Slippery Rock, PA?

The median household income in Slippery Rock is $52,262, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Slippery Rock, PA?

The poverty rate in Slippery Rock is 33.8%. This means approximately 1,010 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania?

Slippery Rock's population is 84.7% White, 3.1% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Slippery Rock, PA?

The median home value in Slippery Rock is $255,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.

How educated is Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania?

34.7% of adults (25+) in Slippery Rock hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.