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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Wilkes-Barre

Pennsylvania · 47,523 residents · 6.848 sq mi
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The short version

Wilkes-Barre has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $19,525. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $43,600. Households here earn about 33% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 37.0
US median: 33.0
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

47,523
+10%vs 2000
vs 43,123 in 2000
1990 – 2025
6,940 / sq mi
+10%vs 2000
vs 6,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
37.0
−5%vs 2000
vs 38.8 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
40K42K44K46K48K1990201020202024Wilkes-Barre
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$19,525
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $26,711 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$10,513
−30%vs 2000
vs $15,050 in 2000
US average: $14,340
15.4%
−2.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 17.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$43,600
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $65,500 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$317
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $411 in 2000
US average: $450
52.7%
−0.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 53.5% in 2000
47.3% rent
2.2
−9%vs 2000
vs 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wilkes-Barre on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.4%(39,433)
Black4.9%(2,129)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(683)
Asian0.8%(342)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.5%(7,537)
1990
White, non-Hispanic96.1%(45,684)
Black2.9%(1,391)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(215)
Asian0.6%(263)
Other0.4%(185)
Diversity Score10.4%(4,948)
10
−40%vs 2000
vs 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

12.9%
+0.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
69.5%
−7.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 76.8% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
4.7%
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 4.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

14.1 min
+21%vs 2000
vs 11.7 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.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has about 47,523 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania earns about $19,525 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $43,600, and the typical rent is about $317 a month.

How educated are people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

About 12.9% of adults age 25 and over in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

About 15.4% of people in Wilkes-Barre, 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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