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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Swarthmore

Pennsylvania · 6,157 residents · 1.4 sq mi
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The short version

Swarthmore is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $54,965. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $195,700. Poverty is rare here, at 2.8% of residents. Households here earn about 89% more than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.4
US median: 33.0
More educated
66% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,157
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 6,170 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
32.4
−3%vs 2000
vs 33.4 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K6K6K7K1990201020202024Swarthmore
20247K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 55%(306)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 95.7%(352)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 144.4%(272)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 1912.9%(796)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 2416.3%(1,001)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 348.9%(548)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4414.5%(894)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 549.5%(582)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 648%(493)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 748.7%(536)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 845.3%(325)
US avg: 4%
85 and over0.8%(52)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,965
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $82,653 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,641
−39%vs 2000
vs $40,482 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
2.8%
+0.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 2.1% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$195,700
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $240,200 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$583
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $691 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
70.9%
−1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.1% in 2000
29.1% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Swarthmore on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.8%(5,172)
Black4.7%(288)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(208)
Asian5.4%(335)
Other0%
1990
White, non-Hispanic91.9%(5,660)
Black4.2%(260)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(231)
Asian3.1%(190)
Other0.8%(47)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Puerto Rican1.6%(105)
Mexican1.6%(103)
Ecuadorian1.2%(76)
Argentine0.4%(26)
Guatemalan0.2%(16)
Cuban0.2%(13)
Salvadoran0.1%(8)
Venezuelan0.1%(8)
Nicaraguan0.1%(7)
Honduran0.1%(5)
+ 1 more hispanic origin group with data
Asian origin
Chinese3%(194)
Filipino1.3%(83)
Korean0.6%(41)
Vietnamese0.6%(37)
Asian Indian0.6%(37)
Ancestry
Irish22.1%(1,449)
German16.5%(1,081)
English16.2%(1,059)
Italian12.1%(795)
Polish2.4%(156)
American2.3%(152)
Welsh1.7%(110)
Greek1.6%(103)
Scottish1.5%(100)
Russian1.3%(83)
French1.1%(70)
+ 24 more ancestry groups with data
Armenian0.8%(54)
Hungarian0.8%(52)
Nigerian0.7%(44)
Ukrainian0.6%(40)
Scotch-Irish0.5%(34)
Austrian0.5%(33)
Lithuanian0.5%(33)
Swedish0.5%(30)
West Indian0.4%(25)
Swiss0.3%(21)
Arab0.3%(20)
Lebanese0.3%(20)
Dutch0.3%(19)
Ethiopian0.3%(18)
British0.2%(16)
Australian0.2%(13)
Danish0.1%(8)
Finnish0.1%(8)
Croatian0.1%(6)
Latvian0.1%(6)
Norwegian0.1%(6)
Kenyan0.1%(5)
Romanian0.1%(4)
RANKED:Largest Irish population · Largest German population · Largest English population · Largest Italian population · Largest Chinese population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
65.9%
−11.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 77.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
96.0%
−0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 96.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
32.7%
−13.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 45.9% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+46%vs 2000
vs 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married48.4%(1,286)
Married46%(1,224)
Widowed1%(26)
Divorced4.6%(123)
Women 15+
Never married41.4%(1,132)
Married41.7%(1,140)
Widowed5.4%(148)
Divorced11.4%(312)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Compare Swarthmore to nearby cities

SWARTHMORE VS
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Income$74,712+36%
Home value$276,600+41%
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SWARTHMORE VS
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Income$77,028+40%
Home value$222,700+14%
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SWARTHMORE VS
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Income$64,938+18%
Home value$190,700−3%
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SWARTHMORE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania has about 6,157 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania earns about $54,965 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Swarthmore, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $195,700, and the typical rent is about $583 a month.

How educated are people in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?

About 65.9% of adults age 25 and over in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?

About 2.8% of people in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

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

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