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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Wilkes-Barre

Pennsylvania · 43,123 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 $26,711. Population has declined 9% since 1990. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $65,500. Households here earn about 33% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.8
US median: 35.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
43,123
−9%since 1990
from 47,523 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,297 / sq mi
−9%since 1990
from 6,940 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.8
+5%since 1990
from 37.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
40K42K44K46K48K1990201020202024Wilkes-Barre
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,711
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,525 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,050
+43%since 1990
from $10,513 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
17.8%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 15.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$65,500
+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $43,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$411
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $317 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
53.5%
+0.9 ptssince 1990
from 52.7% in 1990
46.5% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+10%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wilkes-Barre on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic96.1%(45,684)
Black2.9%(1,391)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(215)
Asian0.6%(263)
Diversity Score10.4%(4,948)
2000
White, non-Hispanic91.4%(39,433)
Black4.9%(2,129)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(683)
Asian0.8%(342)
Diversity Score17.5%(7,537)
Diversity Score
17
+68%since 1990
from 10 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.8%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 12.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
76.8%
+7.3 ptssince 1990
from 69.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
4.7%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 4.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.7 min
−17%since 1990
from 14.1 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Wilkes-Barre

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Pop 42,698
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Pop 38,905
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Head to head

Compare Wilkes-Barre to nearby cities

WILKES-BARRE VS
Kingston
Income$55,347+107%
Home value$172,900+164%
Population13,462−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKES-BARRE VS
Nanticoke
Income$57,462+115%
Home value$108,100+65%
Population10,712−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKES-BARRE VS
Mountain Top
Income$109,535+310%
Home value$297,700+355%
Population11,850−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKES-BARRE VS
Dunmore
Income$71,302+167%
Home value$196,100+199%
Population14,249−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has about 43,123 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania earns about $26,711 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 $65,500, and the typical rent is about $411 a month.

How educated are people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

About 12.8% 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 17.8% of people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,400 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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

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