New Kensington is a city of 12,011 people in Pennsylvania. At a median age of 48.6, this is an older place than the country as a whole. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $142,000. Households here earn about 37% less than in Pennsylvania as a whole. The foreign-born share is 1%.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $49,063, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about New Kensington
What changed most since 1990
Population15,894 → 12,011(−24%)US over the same years: +35%
White share90.7% → 82.5%(−8.3 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Median home value (2024 dollars)$118,323 → $142,000(+20%)US over the same years: +67%
New Kensington's population equals 3.4% of Westmoreland County's. Its number of households without a car equals 10% of the county's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 5.3% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)16.3%(110)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)16.6%(112)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era40.5%(273)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War7.1%(48)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 674 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
New Kensington, decade by decade
New Kensington population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
15,894
$51,661
$118,323
14.5%
21.2
2000
14,701
$55,570
$126,969
15.9%
28.3
2010
13,116
$52,726
$129,759
16.7%
36.2
2020
12,170
$51,352
$128,355
21.9%
48.1
2024
12,011
$49,063
$142,000
22.5%
38.5
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in New Kensington, Pennsylvania?
New Kensington, Pennsylvania has about 12,011 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in New Kensington, Pennsylvania?
The typical household in New Kensington, Pennsylvania earns about $49,063 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is New Kensington, Pennsylvania expensive?
In New Kensington, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $142,000, and the typical rent is about $751 a month.
How educated are people in New Kensington, Pennsylvania?
About 22.5% of adults age 25 and over in New Kensington, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in New Kensington, Pennsylvania?
About 16.0% of people in New Kensington, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.
Has New Kensington, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?
Yes, New Kensington, Pennsylvania has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,883 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.
