Steelton, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Steelton, Pennsylvania had a total population of 6,296, the 197th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $58,194, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
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 2.3x.
Steelton Quick Facts
How Steelton 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 | 6,267 | 6,296 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $55,963 | $58,194 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $124,200 | $134,800 | +8.5% |
How Steelton 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Steelton Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | 30.5% | $124,200 |
| Colonial Park | 18,032 | $73,105 | 9.9% | $231,100 |
| Hershey | 14,242 | $78,587 | 17.6% | $379,200 |
| Progress | 11,017 | $73,030 | 10.4% | $202,500 |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | 12.4% | $161,600 |
| Linglestown | 6,957 | $92,558 | 4.2% | $259,400 |
| Rutherford | 6,890 | $83,636 | 8.3% | $214,200 |
| Lawnton | 4,765 | $84,861 | 2.5% | $222,600 |
| Skyline View | 4,704 | $97,982 | 2.6% | $299,600 |
| Hummelstown | 4,527 | $63,175 | 11.8% | $245,100 |
Cities Similar to Steelton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nazareth | 6,043 | $56,855 | $240,300 | 26.8% | 16.0% |
| Dickson City | 6,023 | $59,963 | $192,300 | 24.4% | 13.1% |
| Prospect Park | 6,417 | $63,077 | $244,600 | 22.9% | 9.2% |
| South Williamsport | 6,211 | $64,583 | $180,800 | 29.2% | 4.3% |
| Milton | 6,534 | $54,577 | $196,800 | 19.9% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Steelton is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 6,296. It ranks as the 197th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Steelton is 32.4 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Steelton is $58,194. This is 25% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $134,800. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Steelton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Steelton is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (32.0%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.2% vs 10.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.2% vs 8.7%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
19.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Steelton, 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 Steelton, Pennsylvania?
Steelton, Pennsylvania has a population of 6,296 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Steelton, PA?
The median household income in Steelton is $58,194, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Steelton, PA?
The poverty rate in Steelton is 19.6%. This means approximately 1,229 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Steelton, Pennsylvania?
Steelton's population is 32.0% White, 41.2% Black, 20.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Steelton, PA?
The median home value in Steelton is $134,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Steelton, Pennsylvania?
19.0% of adults (25+) in Steelton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.