Wilkes-Barre city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wilkes-Barre city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 44,217, the 12th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $47,970, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Wilkes-Barre city Quick Facts
How Wilkes-Barre city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilkes-Barre city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Luzerne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazleton city | 29,886 | $43,379 | 27.0% | $129,000 |
| Kingston borough | 13,333 | $53,885 | 19.3% | $164,200 |
| Nanticoke city | 10,610 | $60,340 | 17.7% | $103,800 |
| Pittston city | 7,618 | $47,525 | 22.7% | $114,900 |
| Plymouth borough | 5,761 | $42,348 | 21.4% | $85,400 |
| Exeter borough | 5,514 | $49,432 | 12.8% | $132,500 |
| West Hazleton borough | 5,156 | $46,968 | 24.4% | $108,800 |
| Duryea borough | 5,054 | $64,028 | 21.4% | $142,900 |
| Swoyersville borough | 5,014 | $67,558 | 9.7% | $137,000 |
| Edwardsville borough | 4,917 | $50,046 | 24.0% | $114,200 |
Cities Similar to Wilkes-Barre city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York city | 44,830 | $47,115 | $103,100 | 17.1% | 22.7% |
| Altoona city | 43,508 | $50,171 | $113,600 | 19.9% | 18.8% |
| State College borough | 40,669 | $47,132 | $414,400 | 70.7% | 39.1% |
| Harrisburg city | 50,092 | $47,783 | $121,000 | 26.3% | 29.1% |
| Norristown borough | 35,782 | $65,058 | $205,100 | 23.7% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Wilkes-Barre city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Luzerne County. The total population is 44,217. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilkes-Barre city is 35.3 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wilkes-Barre city is $47,970. This is 37% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 79% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 8.3%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $108,000. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Wilkes-Barre city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilkes-Barre city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.6% vs 8.4%).
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower 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 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wilkes-Barre city, 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 Wilkes-Barre city, Pennsylvania?
Wilkes-Barre city, Pennsylvania has a population of 44,217 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilkes-Barre city, PA?
The median household income in Wilkes-Barre city is $47,970, which is 39% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wilkes-Barre city, PA?
The poverty rate in Wilkes-Barre city is 21.1%. This means approximately 8,552 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilkes-Barre city, Pennsylvania?
Wilkes-Barre city's population is 51.9% White, 11.7% Black, 30.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilkes-Barre city, PA?
The median home value in Wilkes-Barre city is $108,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Wilkes-Barre city, Pennsylvania?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Wilkes-Barre city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.