State College, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, State College, Pennsylvania had a total population of 41,050, the 14th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $45,424, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 68.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.6x the median household income.
State College Quick Facts
How State College 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 | 40,669 | 41,050 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $47,132 | $45,424 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $414,400 | $437,800 | +5.6% |
How State College 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+)
State College Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Centre County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Forest Village | 8,624 | $79,120 | 21.5% | $389,600 |
| Bellefonte | 6,009 | $62,540 | 13.1% | $240,300 |
| Boalsburg | 4,582 | $100,958 | 11.3% | $413,000 |
| Pleasant Gap | 3,208 | $69,536 | 3.5% | $240,200 |
| Toftrees | 2,873 | $73,721 | 25.4% | $434,100 |
| Philipsburg | 2,748 | $47,794 | 12.5% | $148,700 |
| Stormstown | 2,532 | $146,875 | 1.0% | $440,800 |
| Lemont | 2,076 | $101,526 | 4.1% | $385,600 |
| Houserville | 2,000 | $119,303 | 2.8% | $378,600 |
| Zion | 1,981 | $94,829 | 3.7% | $344,700 |
Cities Similar to State College
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 43,196 | $51,250 | $119,900 | 20.5% | 16.6% |
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | $117,200 | 20.5% | 23.1% |
| York | 44,938 | $48,420 | $119,700 | 17.5% | 21.1% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
| Chester | 33,619 | $41,342 | $83,100 | 14.4% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
State College is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Centre County. The total population is 41,050. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in State College is 21.2 years. This is 48% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 5.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in State College is $45,424. This is 42% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.1%. This is 225% 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 5.0%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $437,800. Housing costs are 72% higher than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 26.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 62% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in State College is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.4%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.4% vs 3.8%).
Education
68.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places State College in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 94% 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 97.0%. Notably, 41.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for State College, 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 State College, Pennsylvania?
State College, Pennsylvania has a population of 41,050 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in State College, PA?
The median household income in State College is $45,424, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in State College, PA?
The poverty rate in State College is 38.1%. This means approximately 9,638 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of State College, Pennsylvania?
State College's population is 76.0% White, 3.8% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in State College, PA?
The median home value in State College is $437,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.6x.
How educated is State College, Pennsylvania?
68.4% of adults (25+) in State College hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.