Sunbury, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sunbury, Pennsylvania had a total population of 9,617, the 98th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $51,028, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Sunbury Quick Facts
How Sunbury 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 | 9,643 | 9,617 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $48,509 | $51,028 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $98,000 | $107,200 | +9.4% |
How Sunbury 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+)
Sunbury Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Northumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamokin | 6,853 | $39,690 | 24.6% | $60,400 |
| Milton | 6,534 | $54,577 | 15.2% | $196,800 |
| Mount Carmel | 5,677 | $53,021 | 16.2% | $81,800 |
| Northumberland | 3,866 | $66,477 | 17.1% | $162,600 |
| Kulpmont | 2,724 | $49,785 | 10.7% | $84,000 |
| Elysburg | 2,492 | $121,511 | 1.7% | $242,300 |
| Edgewood | 2,078 | $45,759 | 22.1% | $85,200 |
| Watsontown | 2,005 | $60,051 | 11.9% | $164,600 |
| Riverside | 1,806 | $83,750 | 4.5% | $258,300 |
| Trevorton | 1,775 | $59,167 | 16.8% | $155,300 |
Cities Similar to Sunbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil City | 9,468 | $51,316 | $74,100 | 16.4% | 16.6% |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | $161,600 | 24.9% | 12.4% |
| Aliquippa | 9,079 | $50,188 | $98,400 | 22.6% | 22.9% |
| Warren | 9,240 | $53,815 | $103,800 | 25.3% | 9.9% |
| Berwick | 10,317 | $49,800 | $156,500 | 21.3% | 16.5% |
Population Overview
Sunbury is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Northumberland County. The total population is 9,617. It ranks as the 98th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sunbury is 45.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 10.3% 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 Sunbury is $51,028. This is 35% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.7%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $107,200. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Sunbury is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sunbury is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.0%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 10.3%.
Education
11.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sunbury, 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 Sunbury, Pennsylvania?
Sunbury, Pennsylvania has a population of 9,617 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sunbury, PA?
The median household income in Sunbury is $51,028, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sunbury, PA?
The poverty rate in Sunbury is 18.7%. This means approximately 1,756 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sunbury, Pennsylvania?
Sunbury's population is 81.8% White, 3.3% Black, 11.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sunbury, PA?
The median home value in Sunbury is $107,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Sunbury, Pennsylvania?
11.6% of adults (25+) in Sunbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.