Swarthmore borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Swarthmore borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 6,524, the 188th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $146,992, which is 93% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 93% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Pennsylvania.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.8% — among the lowest in Pennsylvania.
- 79.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Swarthmore borough Quick Facts
How Swarthmore borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Swarthmore borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Delaware County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester city | 33,209 | $39,809 | 30.8% | $85,400 |
| Yeadon borough | 12,091 | $57,336 | 8.2% | $172,500 |
| Lansdowne borough | 11,064 | $69,261 | 10.6% | $199,200 |
| Darby borough | 10,664 | $45,128 | 31.5% | $101,900 |
| Brookhaven borough | 8,288 | $96,393 | 3.4% | $265,500 |
| Ridley Park borough | 7,245 | $94,485 | 5.4% | $261,900 |
| Glenolden borough | 7,207 | $71,145 | 15.8% | $203,100 |
| Clifton Heights borough | 6,821 | $69,940 | 16.8% | $189,100 |
| Folcroft borough | 6,748 | $58,899 | 17.1% | $140,000 |
| Prospect Park borough | 6,402 | $65,774 | 13.4% | $239,700 |
Cities Similar to Swarthmore borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Bell CDP | 6,450 | $159,963 | $581,500 | 78.6% | 2.5% |
| Wayne CDP | 6,902 | $143,981 | $664,900 | 72.6% | 10.0% |
| Penn Wynne CDP | 6,220 | $156,056 | $532,200 | 72.4% | 6.7% |
| Richboro CDP | 7,033 | $153,691 | $519,100 | 58.1% | 0.9% |
| Fort Washington CDP | 6,105 | $159,302 | $561,000 | 61.3% | 2.8% |
Population Overview
Swarthmore borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Delaware County. The total population is 6,524. It ranks as the 188th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Swarthmore borough is 34.4 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Swarthmore borough is $146,992. This is 93% higher than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 87% higher. The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 76% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $557,900. Housing costs are 132% higher than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Swarthmore borough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.4% vs 3.7%).
Education
79.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Swarthmore borough in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 130% higher 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 99.2%. Notably, 51.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore borough, Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 6,524 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Swarthmore borough, PA?
The median household income in Swarthmore borough is $146,992, which is 87% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Swarthmore borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Swarthmore borough is 2.8%. This means approximately 139 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Swarthmore borough, Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore borough's population is 71.1% White, 10.2% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Swarthmore borough, PA?
The median home value in Swarthmore borough is $557,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Swarthmore borough, Pennsylvania?
79.2% of adults (25+) in Swarthmore borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 51.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.