Borough · Pennsylvania
Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Emmaus, borough, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Emmaus had 12,514 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 11,652 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 11,889 (±20). GEOID 4223584.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,514
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,652 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,889 ±20
Median household income
$83,917
±$8,494 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$266,000
±$19,820 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,389
±$89 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is Emmaus and what county is it in?
Emmaus is a borough in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It covers 2.9 square miles of land, 4,025 residents per square mile in 2020.
Emmaus is in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Emmaus, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,514 people lived in Emmaus on July 1, 2025, up 7.5% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 11,652 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 11,889 (±20).
| Measure | Emmaus | Lehigh County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,889 ±20 | 378,792 | +498 |
| Households | 5,038 ±217 | 144,386 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.36 ±0.10 | 2.56 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,128 ±228 | 151,220 | no clear change |
Emmaus's population since 2000
From 11,313 in 2000 to 12,514 in 2025: up 10.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Emmaus as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Emmaus?
The median resident of Emmaus is 39.1 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.4%. 3.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Emmaus | Lehigh County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 ±1.8 | 39.6 | −3.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.9% ±2.1 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5% ±2.3 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Male | 50.0% ±3.1 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.4% ±2.1 pts | 28.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.2% ±4.2 pts | 59.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±1.5 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±2.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±2.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.2% ±2.0 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.4% ±2.2 pts | 26.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±3.1 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7% ±2.9 pts | 13.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.4% ±2.0 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5% ±2.7 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.1% ±4.7 pts | 34.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.9% ±2.7 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.8% ±3.0 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2% ±1.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Emmaus earn?
Half of Emmaus's 5,038 households earn less than $83,917 a year (±$8,494), against $80,079 in Lehigh County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $72,643 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Emmaus | Lehigh County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,917 ±$8,494 | $80,079 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $106,470 ±$17,777 | $110,753 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,764 ±$7,471 | $43,088 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.3% ±2.7 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.5% ±8.3 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.3% ±5.6 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.3% ±1.8 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3% ±2.3 pts | 90.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Emmaus?
Owners occupy 64.0% of Emmaus's occupied homes and renters 36.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $266,000 by its owner (±$19,820). The median renter pays $1,389 a month including utilities, and 50.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Emmaus | Lehigh County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $266,000 ±$19,820 | $300,400 | +$38,445 |
| Median gross rent | $1,389 ±$89 | $1,383 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.5% ±11.5 pts | 44.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,732 ±$88 | $1,885 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.0% ±5.9 pts | 65.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.0% ±5.9 pts | 34.4% | – |
| Housing units | 5,128 ±228 | 151,220 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4% ±4.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.2% ±5.9 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±1.0 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.7% ±6.3 pts | 24.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% ±2.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Emmaus building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Emmaus in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Pennsylvania.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Emmaus work and get to work?
74.7% of Emmaus's workers drive alone and 14.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Emmaus | Lehigh County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.9% ±3.9 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% ±1.5 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.7% ±4.8 pts | 72.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7% ±3.6 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.0% ±4.6 pts | 14.0% | +9.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.6 min ±3.4 | 24.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Emmaus?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Emmaus (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $71,506 (Tract 65) to $108,233 (Tract 66).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Emmaus) · Census block assignment files
How does Emmaus compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Emmaus is the 2,745th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 51st-most populous of 1,012 in Pennsylvania.
Emmaus ranks 842nd of 2,136 places in Pennsylvania with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 51st | 1,012 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 71st | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 233rd | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 842nd | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 685th | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 720th | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 420th | 1,963 |
| Poverty rate | 1,040th | 1,606 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 709th | 2,129 |
| Median age | 1,682nd | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,729th | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 691st | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 934th | 2,156 |
Emmaus's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Emmaus with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Emmaus?
14 of the 57 figures for Emmaus on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Emmaus are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Emmaus.