City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Chester, PA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chester - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

33,209
Residents
$39,809
Median income
$85,400
Median home
$1,810
Median rent (state)

Chester - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Chester places in the 7th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

7th
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
18th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chester, PA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 33,209 residents in Chester, a small city within Pennsylvania. Chester households earn a median of $39,809 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 25.2%. Home values in Chester run a median of $85,400, and the median resident age is 33.3 years. Educational attainment runs 13.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 48.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 9 residential building permits were authorized in Chester (Growing), up 13% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Chester's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2819.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Pennsylvania tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Pennsylvania scores 97.6 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,810 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Pennsylvania's average monthly utility costs around $260 (state average). Workers in Chester report an average commute of 19.9 minutes, with 61.3% driving alone and 8.6% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

33,209 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$39,809 /yr

Poverty 25.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Chester compare to other US cities?

Here's how Chester stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 7% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Pennsylvania alone, Chester ranks #376 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Chester's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Pennsylvania, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

7thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

7th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
Chester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chester's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$85,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chester $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chester, PA Chester, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chester, PA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chester, PA median $39,809/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chester, PA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chester, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
33,209
Median Income
$39,809
Median Home Value
$85,400
Median Age
33.3
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Labor force participation
48.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2819.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
830.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1988.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
32,500 residents33,000 residents33,500 residents34,000 residents34,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 32,699 residents 33,996 residents ▲ +4.0%
Chester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 7
2021 10
2022 10
2023 6
2024 9

Permit volume increased 13% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.9 minutes
Drive Alone
61.3%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
9.6%
Walk
7.8%
Work from Home
8.6%
Other
1.8%

Based on 12,131 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Pennsylvania - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$88
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$52
avg/month
Total Utilities
$260
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Pennsylvania state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Pennsylvania state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chester sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,810/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Bethel Park
33,070 people
Norristown
35,782 people
Drexel Hill
30,015 people
Hazleton
29,886 people
Easton
29,079 people
Monroeville
28,383 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chester's 33,209 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

West Little River, FL
33,147 people
Gillette, WY
33,278 people
Huntington Station, NY
33,283 people
Helena, MT
33,126 people
Salisbury, MD
33,080 people
Dover, NH
33,070 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chester's $39,809 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mound City, IL
$39,808 median income
Prospect, OR
$39,808 median income
Stonega, VA
$39,808 median income
Gates, TN
$39,815 median income
Cedarville, NJ
$39,816 median income
Warrenville, SC
$39,817 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chester, PA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chester, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 16.4% 71.7% 6.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.6% White 16.4% Black or African American 71.7% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.9% Two or more races 3.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chester compares to nearby Pennsylvania cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chester (this city) 33,209 $39,809
Bethel Park 33,070 $104,129
Norristown 35,782 $65,058
Drexel Hill 30,015 $87,993
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chester, PA?

What is the population of Chester, PA? +

33,209 people live in Chester, PA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chester, PA? +

In Chester, the typical household earns $39,809 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chester? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chester; the closest available measure is the Pennsylvania state average, a cost of living index of 97.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Pennsylvania vary by metro area.

Is Chester, PA safe? +

Chester has a total crime rate of 2819.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chester, PA? +

Chester's median home value sits at $85,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.