Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania had a total population of 44,423, the 12th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $48,515, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Wilkes-Barre Quick Facts
How Wilkes-Barre 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 | 44,217 | 44,423 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $47,970 | $48,515 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $108,000 | $117,200 | +8.5% |
How Wilkes-Barre 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wilkes-Barre Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Luzerne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| West Hazleton | 5,178 | $34,118 | 34.9% | $151,800 |
| Duryea | 5,084 | $62,462 | 22.6% | $157,900 |
| Swoyersville | 5,048 | $71,555 | 9.8% | $148,300 |
Cities Similar to Wilkes-Barre
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York | 44,938 | $48,420 | $119,700 | 17.5% | 21.1% |
| Altoona | 43,196 | $51,250 | $119,900 | 20.5% | 16.6% |
| State College | 41,050 | $45,424 | $437,800 | 68.4% | 38.1% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
| Chester | 33,619 | $41,342 | $83,100 | 14.4% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
Wilkes-Barre is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Luzerne County. The total population is 44,423. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wilkes-Barre is 34.7 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wilkes-Barre is $48,515. This is 38% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 97% 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 8.5%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $117,200. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Wilkes-Barre is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wilkes-Barre is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (33.8% vs 8.7%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
20.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has a population of 44,423 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median household income in Wilkes-Barre is $48,515, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The poverty rate in Wilkes-Barre is 23.1%. This means approximately 9,345 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?
Wilkes-Barre's population is 50.5% White, 9.7% Black, 33.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median home value in Wilkes-Barre is $117,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?
20.5% of adults (25+) in Wilkes-Barre hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.