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CITY · 2010 ACS

Wilkes-Barre

Pennsylvania · 41,498 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 $29,518. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $77,700. The poverty rate of 25.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
41,498
−4%since 2000
from 43,123 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,060 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 6,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.5
−6%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
40K42K44K46K48K1990201020202024Wilkes-Barre
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,518
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,711 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,712
+11%since 2000
from $15,050 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
14.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
25.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.453
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade12.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,700
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$581
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
28.4%
−25.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.5% in 2000
51.1% rent
Vacancy rate
14.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
28.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.6
+7%since 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic74.9%(31,069)
Black10.1%(4,211)
Hispanic / Latino11.3%(4,690)
Asian1.4%(579)
Other2.4%(1,015)
Diversity Score52.2%(21,654)
Diversity Score
52
+199%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
83.5%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.7%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+52%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
16.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
3.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
7.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
22.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
23.8%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.4%
−36.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Wilkes-Barre to nearby cities

WILKES-BARRE VS
Kingston
Income$55,347+88%
Home value$172,900+123%
Population13,462−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKES-BARRE VS
Nanticoke
Income$57,462+95%
Home value$108,100+39%
Population10,712−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKES-BARRE VS
Mountain Top
Income$109,535+271%
Home value$297,700+283%
Population11,850−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WILKES-BARRE VS
Dunmore
Income$71,302+142%
Home value$196,100+152%
Population14,249−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has about 41,498 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania earns about $29,518 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 $77,700, and the typical rent is about $581 a month.

How educated are people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

About 14.5% 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 25.4% 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 6,025 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

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