Steelton borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Steelton borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 6,267, the 194th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $55,963, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Steelton borough Quick Facts
How Steelton borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Steelton borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | 29.1% | $121,000 |
| Middletown borough | 9,567 | $54,778 | 14.6% | $159,800 |
| Hummelstown borough | 4,526 | $53,148 | 11.6% | $240,200 |
| Penbrook borough | 3,260 | $68,295 | 7.3% | $140,000 |
| Highspire borough | 2,729 | $50,689 | 14.0% | $113,500 |
| Millersburg borough | 2,538 | $65,190 | 11.8% | $123,500 |
| Lykens borough | 1,830 | $69,125 | 22.6% | $101,300 |
| Paxtang borough | 1,617 | $83,571 | 9.2% | $179,900 |
| Elizabethville borough | 1,583 | $75,724 | 6.2% | $168,900 |
| Williamstown borough | 1,289 | $61,875 | 22.2% | $95,200 |
Cities Similar to Steelton borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor borough | 6,261 | $60,446 | $169,800 | 20.0% | 14.1% |
| Franklin city | 6,026 | $54,955 | $109,200 | 24.6% | 17.2% |
| Bellefonte borough | 6,022 | $57,157 | $232,500 | 37.0% | 16.3% |
| Nazareth borough | 6,032 | $57,551 | $236,900 | 24.4% | 15.9% |
| Dickson City borough | 6,022 | $58,343 | $184,700 | 25.1% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Steelton borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 6,267. It ranks as the 194th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Steelton borough is 38.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Steelton borough is $55,963. This is 26% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 8.9%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $124,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Steelton borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Steelton borough is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.1% vs 10.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.6% vs 8.4%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Steelton borough, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Steelton borough, Pennsylvania?
Steelton borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 6,267 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Steelton borough, PA?
The median household income in Steelton borough is $55,963, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Steelton borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Steelton borough is 22.3%. This means approximately 1,388 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Steelton borough, Pennsylvania?
Steelton borough's population is 39.0% White, 35.1% Black, 19.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Steelton borough, PA?
The median home value in Steelton borough is $124,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Steelton borough, Pennsylvania?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Steelton borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.