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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wilkes-Barre

Pennsylvania · 44,328 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 $40,505. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $78,000. The poverty rate of 23.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 21%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,328
+3%since 2000
from 43,123 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,473 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 6,297 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.9
−7%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
40K42K44K46K48K1990201020202024Wilkes-Barre
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,505
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,711 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,785
+38%since 2000
from $15,050 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.3%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.7%
US avg: 10%
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$78,000
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$757
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.4%
−9.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.5% in 2000
55.6% rent
Afford Score
1.9
−21%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic54.8%(24,312)
Black13.9%(6,175)
Hispanic / Latino25%(11,060)
Asian1.8%(794)
Other3.2%(1,422)
Diversity Score75.8%(33,590)
Diversity Score
76
+334%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.1 min
+64%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
20.0%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 56.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.8%
−30.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
50.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
12.9%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.6%
−79.3 ptssince 2013
from 86.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Wilkes-Barre to nearby cities

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Income$55,347+37%
Home value$172,900+122%
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WILKES-BARRE VS
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WILKES-BARRE VS
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Income$109,535+170%
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WILKES-BARRE VS
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Home value$196,100+151%
Population14,249−68%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has about 44,328 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania earns about $40,505 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 $78,000, and the typical rent is about $757 a month.

How educated are people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

About 18.4% 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 23.3% 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 3,195 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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