York, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, York, Pennsylvania had a total population of 44,938, the 11th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $48,420, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
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 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
York Quick Facts
How York 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 | 44,830 | 44,938 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $47,115 | $48,420 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $103,100 | $119,700 | +16.1% |
How York 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+)
York Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in York County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanover | 16,584 | $61,293 | 14.5% | $212,800 |
| Weigelstown | 15,485 | $73,722 | 7.1% | $219,500 |
| Shiloh | 11,246 | $94,324 | 1.3% | $245,600 |
| East York | 9,388 | $88,021 | 6.3% | $232,700 |
| Parkville | 8,128 | $77,352 | 11.8% | $222,400 |
| Red Lion | 6,516 | $72,901 | 16.0% | $177,400 |
| West York | 5,092 | $80,995 | 12.0% | $123,600 |
| New Freedom | 5,066 | $120,037 | 4.0% | $370,900 |
| Spry | 4,909 | $82,723 | 9.4% | $225,100 |
| Grantley | 4,775 | $167,069 | 6.5% | $429,400 |
Cities Similar to York
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | 44,423 | $48,515 | $117,200 | 20.5% | 23.1% |
| Altoona | 43,196 | $51,250 | $119,900 | 20.5% | 16.6% |
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | 25.9% | 30.5% |
| State College | 41,050 | $45,424 | $437,800 | 68.4% | 38.1% |
| Chester | 33,619 | $41,342 | $83,100 | 14.4% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
York is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within York County. The total population is 44,938. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in York is 34.3 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in York is $48,420. 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 21.1%. This is 81% 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 10.7%. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $119,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, York is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
York is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.6%) is well below the state average of 73.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.1% vs 10.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.6% vs 8.7%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
17.5% 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 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for York, 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 York, Pennsylvania?
York, Pennsylvania has a population of 44,938 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in York, PA?
The median household income in York is $48,420, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in York, PA?
The poverty rate in York is 21.1%. This means approximately 9,286 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of York, Pennsylvania?
York's population is 33.6% White, 24.1% Black, 36.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in York, PA?
The median home value in York is $119,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is York, Pennsylvania?
17.5% of adults (25+) in York hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.