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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Chester

Pennsylvania · 36,854 residents · 4.833 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $25,703. Population has declined 12% since 1990. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $43,300. At a median age of 30.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 36% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 30.6
US median: 35.2
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

36,854
−12%since 1990
from 41,856 in 1990
1990 – 2025
7,625 / sq mi
−12%since 1990
from 8,660 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
30.6
+1%since 1990
from 30.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
32K34K37K40K43K1990201020202024Chester
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$25,703
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $20,864 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$13,052
+43%since 1990
from $9,115 in 1990
US average: $21,522
27.2%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 25.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$43,300
−13%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$541
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $392 in 1990
US average: $602
47.7%
−5.8 ptssince 1990
from 53.5% in 1990
52.3% rent
1.7
−7%since 1990
from 1.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic32%(13,380)
Black65.2%(27,297)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(1,482)
Asian0.5%(206)
Diversity Score63.3%(26,487)
2000
White, non-Hispanic17.9%(6,582)
Black74.6%(27,500)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(1,986)
Asian0.6%(217)
Diversity Score48.7%(17,951)
49
−23%since 1990
from 63 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

8.5%
+0.9 ptssince 1990
from 7.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
68.7%
+6.5 ptssince 1990
from 62.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
2.8%
+0.7 ptssince 1990
from 2.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

17.0 min
−15%since 1990
from 20.1 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Pennsylvania?

Chester, Pennsylvania has about 36,854 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Chester, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Chester, Pennsylvania earns about $25,703 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Chester, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $43,300, and the typical rent is about $541 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Pennsylvania?

About 8.5% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, Pennsylvania?

About 27.2% of people in Chester, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Pennsylvania has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,002 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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