Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania had a total population of 6,550, the 187th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $152,361, which is 95% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 95% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Pennsylvania.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.8% — among the lowest in Pennsylvania.
- 81.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
Swarthmore Quick Facts
How Swarthmore 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 | 6,524 | 6,550 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $146,992 | $152,361 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $557,900 | $633,800 | +13.6% |
How Swarthmore 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+)
Swarthmore Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Delaware County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 33,619 | $41,342 | 29.0% | $83,100 |
| Drexel Hill | 30,451 | $88,168 | 7.8% | $266,400 |
| Yeadon | 12,181 | $49,759 | 12.6% | $182,800 |
| Lansdowne | 11,122 | $73,232 | 11.8% | $210,500 |
| Darby | 10,687 | $39,863 | 29.9% | $117,900 |
| Broomall | 10,679 | $105,625 | 4.1% | $483,000 |
| Woodlyn | 9,736 | $79,696 | 11.1% | $230,400 |
| Village Green-Green Ridge | 9,073 | $96,711 | 6.4% | $325,800 |
| Collingdale | 8,897 | $51,886 | 19.6% | $166,600 |
| Folsom | 8,671 | $113,064 | 6.3% | $280,100 |
Cities Similar to Swarthmore
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne | 6,635 | $150,539 | $713,300 | 71.5% | 9.1% |
| Paoli | 6,362 | $138,396 | $481,200 | 69.5% | 3.8% |
| Blue Bell | 6,424 | $171,818 | $614,000 | 75.0% | 3.4% |
| Richboro | 6,963 | $159,007 | $559,700 | 60.3% | 0.8% |
| Penn Wynne | 6,070 | $150,298 | $555,500 | 72.9% | 5.2% |
Population Overview
Swarthmore is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Delaware County. The total population is 6,550. It ranks as the 187th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Swarthmore is 28.3 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Swarthmore is $152,361. This is 95% higher than the state median of $77,971. It is also 89% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.8%. This is 85% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $633,800. Housing costs are 149% higher than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 76.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Swarthmore is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 3.8%).
Education
81.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Swarthmore in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 132% 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 99.1%. Notably, 55.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania has a population of 6,550 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Swarthmore, PA?
The median household income in Swarthmore is $152,361, which is 89% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Swarthmore, PA?
The poverty rate in Swarthmore is 1.8%. This means approximately 87 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore's population is 70.0% White, 10.0% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Swarthmore, PA?
The median home value in Swarthmore is $633,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
81.5% of adults (25+) in Swarthmore hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 55.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.