West Chester borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, West Chester borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 19,235, the 34th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $81,492, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Key Takeaways
- 60.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Pennsylvania.
West Chester borough Quick Facts
How West Chester 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+)
West Chester borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Chester County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenixville borough | 19,062 | $94,411 | 8.4% | $348,200 |
| Coatesville city | 13,323 | $57,323 | 20.4% | $160,500 |
| Downingtown borough | 8,163 | $82,292 | 7.0% | $322,500 |
| Kennett Square borough | 6,096 | $74,259 | 4.5% | $347,700 |
| Parkesburg borough | 3,894 | $84,952 | 15.2% | $280,000 |
| Spring City borough | 3,551 | $73,323 | 15.2% | $253,400 |
| Malvern borough | 3,427 | $106,638 | 5.8% | $460,400 |
| West Grove borough | 2,791 | $79,577 | 14.8% | $291,900 |
| Honey Brook borough | 2,089 | $95,694 | 2.3% | $255,300 |
| South Coatesville borough | 1,843 | $72,976 | 17.4% | $253,900 |
Cities Similar to West Chester borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansdale borough | 18,865 | $86,460 | $319,000 | 37.4% | 9.5% |
| West Mifflin borough | 19,338 | $70,335 | $131,400 | 24.2% | 11.8% |
| Phoenixville borough | 19,062 | $94,411 | $348,200 | 53.3% | 8.4% |
| Baldwin borough | 21,159 | $77,882 | $191,700 | 32.8% | 10.4% |
| Colonial Park CDP | 18,125 | $69,804 | $223,800 | 27.3% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
West Chester borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Chester County. The total population is 19,235. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Chester borough is 24.8 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 9.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Chester borough is $81,492. This is 7% higher than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 56% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $481,300. Housing costs are 100% higher than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 34.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Chester borough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.4%.
Education
60.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places West Chester borough in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 74% 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 94.0%. Notably, 21.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Chester 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.
Free data download: Get all Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of West Chester borough, Pennsylvania?
West Chester borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 19,235 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Chester borough, PA?
The median household income in West Chester borough is $81,492, which is 4% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in West Chester borough, PA?
The poverty rate in West Chester borough is 18.3%. This means approximately 2,679 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Chester borough, Pennsylvania?
West Chester borough's population is 71.4% White, 12.4% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Chester borough, PA?
The median home value in West Chester borough is $481,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is West Chester borough, Pennsylvania?
60.1% of adults (25+) in West Chester borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.