West Hazleton, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania had a total population of 5,178, the 259th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $34,118, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.4% is notably above the national average.
West Hazleton Quick Facts
How West Hazleton 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 | 5,156 | 5,178 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $46,968 | $34,118 | -27.4% |
| Median home value | $108,800 | $151,800 | +39.5% |
How West Hazleton 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+)
West Hazleton Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Luzerne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | 23.1% | $117,200 |
| Hazleton | 30,111 | $46,177 | 25.0% | $151,600 |
| Kingston | 13,397 | $55,347 | 18.3% | $172,900 |
| Mountain Top | 11,850 | $109,535 | 5.8% | $297,700 |
| Nanticoke | 10,653 | $57,462 | 19.4% | $108,100 |
| Pittston | 7,626 | $49,941 | 20.0% | $126,800 |
| Plymouth | 5,770 | $39,167 | 24.1% | $92,500 |
| Exeter | 5,541 | $57,639 | 11.1% | $146,800 |
| Duryea | 5,084 | $62,462 | 22.6% | $157,900 |
| Swoyersville | 5,048 | $71,555 | 9.8% | $148,300 |
Cities Similar to West Hazleton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titusville | 5,189 | $38,194 | $79,200 | 20.1% | 23.0% |
| Duquesne | 5,149 | $44,180 | $63,800 | 11.2% | 22.9% |
| Plymouth | 5,770 | $39,167 | $92,500 | 9.8% | 24.1% |
| Turtle Creek | 5,007 | $45,997 | $84,900 | 10.9% | 17.6% |
| Edwardsville | 4,932 | $44,866 | $123,200 | 10.9% | 26.1% |
Population Overview
West Hazleton is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Luzerne County. The total population is 5,178. It ranks as the 259th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Hazleton is 33.1 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, West Hazleton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Hazleton is $34,118. This is 56% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.9%. This is 198% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.4%. This is 135% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $151,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Hazleton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 72.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.3%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (72.3% vs 8.7%).
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 71.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Hazleton, 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 West Hazleton, Pennsylvania?
West Hazleton, Pennsylvania has a population of 5,178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Hazleton, PA?
The median household income in West Hazleton is $34,118, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Hazleton, PA?
The poverty rate in West Hazleton is 34.9%. This means approximately 1,787 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania?
West Hazleton's population is 20.3% White, 2.0% Black, 72.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Hazleton, PA?
The median home value in West Hazleton is $151,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is West Hazleton, Pennsylvania?
17.6% of adults (25+) in West Hazleton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.