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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Chester

Pennsylvania · 18,671 residents · 1.846 sq mi
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The short version

West Chester has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $62,092. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $389,600. At a median age of 26.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $389,600, the poverty rate sits 96% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 26.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
53% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 84%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,671
+5%since 2000
from 17,861 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
10,114 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 9,676 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
26.1
+6%since 2000
from 24.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024West Chester
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,092
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,803 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,009
+89%since 2000
from $19,073 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.9%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade7.6%
US avg: 10%
Public administration6.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$389,600
+84%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $141,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,293
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $691 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
35.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 37.2% in 2000
64.5% rent
Afford Score
6.3
+68%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(12,788)
Black16.4%(2,922)
Hispanic / Latino8.9%(1,596)
Asian1.5%(259)
Other0%
Diversity Score54.2%(9,685)
2020
White, non-Hispanic72.2%(13,473)
Black10%(1,859)
Hispanic / Latino12.4%(2,309)
Asian1.8%(335)
Other2.9%(540)
Diversity Score55.5%(10,356)
Diversity Score
55
+2%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
53.3%
+14.3 ptssince 2000
from 39.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.8%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 84.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.7 min
+63%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 70.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
45.4%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Female
53.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.7%
−81.5 ptssince 2013
from 88.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to West Chester

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Pop 20,375
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Head to head

Compare West Chester to nearby cities

WEST CHESTER VS
Hockessin
Income$171,204+176%
Home value$568,800+46%
Population13,439−31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST CHESTER VS
Claymont
Income$74,712+20%
Home value$276,600−29%
Population8,786−55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST CHESTER VS
Wilmington
Income$58,671−6%
Home value$231,400−41%
Population73,512+275%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST CHESTER VS
Pike Creek Valley
Income$102,434+65%
Home value$340,300−13%
Population12,431−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Chester, Pennsylvania?

West Chester, Pennsylvania has about 18,671 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Chester, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in West Chester, Pennsylvania earns about $62,092 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Chester, Pennsylvania expensive?

In West Chester, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $389,600, and the typical rent is about $1,293 a month.

How educated are people in West Chester, Pennsylvania?

About 53.3% of adults age 25 and over in West Chester, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Chester, Pennsylvania?

About 25.2% of people in West Chester, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Chester, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, West Chester, Pennsylvania has grown since 1990. The population has added about 630 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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

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