St. Marys, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Marys, Pennsylvania had a total population of 12,529, the 65th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $67,167, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
St. Marys Quick Facts
How St. Marys 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 | 12,612 | 12,529 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $64,471 | $67,167 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $143,900 | $149,000 | +3.5% |
How St. Marys 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+)
St. Marys Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Elk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgway | 3,969 | $52,863 | 13.0% | $94,900 |
| Johnsonburg | 2,424 | $61,484 | 12.3% | $62,200 |
| Kersey | 743 | $53,531 | 21.1% | $227,600 |
| Weedville | 523 | $62,054 | 10.5% | $170,000 |
| Byrnedale | 434 | $90,568 | 1.4% | $76,800 |
| Wilcox | 323 | $57,500 | 18.6% | $61,800 |
| Force | 226 | $31,071 | 7.5% | $54,500 |
| James City | 174 | $65,789 | 12.6% | $55,800 |
Cities Similar to St. Marys
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | 11,925 | $76,105 | $238,700 | 31.4% | 7.6% |
| Ephrata | 13,772 | $69,735 | $224,400 | 23.2% | 7.9% |
| Coatesville | 13,353 | $59,256 | $194,000 | 19.8% | 18.1% |
| Waynesboro | 11,047 | $66,956 | $188,600 | 18.9% | 10.2% |
| Dunmore | 14,181 | $71,302 | $196,100 | 37.3% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
St. Marys is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Elk County. The total population is 12,529. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Marys is 51.6 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 12.9% 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 St. Marys is $67,167. This is 14% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $149,000. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, St. Marys is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Marys has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 8.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
21.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Marys, 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 St. Marys, Pennsylvania?
St. Marys, Pennsylvania has a population of 12,529 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Marys, PA?
The median household income in St. Marys is $67,167, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Marys, PA?
The poverty rate in St. Marys is 7.8%. This means approximately 964 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Marys, Pennsylvania?
St. Marys's population is 93.8% White, 1.3% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Marys, PA?
The median home value in St. Marys is $149,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is St. Marys, Pennsylvania?
21.4% of adults (25+) in St. Marys hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.