City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Erie, PA

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

94,156
Residents
$43,397
Median income
$108,200
Median home
$1,212
Median rent (state)

Erie - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Erie lands in the 11th percentile for household income and the 26th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
37th
percentile, median rent
26th
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: Erie, PA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 94,156 residents in Erie, a small city within Pennsylvania. Erie households earn a median of $43,397 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.6%. Home values in Erie run a median of $108,200, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. Educational attainment runs 22.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 4 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2304.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 50.8°F with 43.0 inches of precipitation per year and 104.3 inches of snowfall.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,212 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Erie report an average commute of 17.3 minutes, with 70.4% driving alone and 6.9% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 84.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

94,156 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$43,397 /yr

Poverty 19.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Erie compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 37% pricier than other cities
Safety 26% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Pennsylvania, Erie ranks #358 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Erie'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.

11thIncome percentile
26thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 26th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Erie's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Erie'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 38 Avg. percentile National median
Erie'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 Erie's home value compares nationally

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

$108,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Erie $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 - Erie, PA Erie, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Erie, 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 Erie, PA median $43,397/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%
Erie, 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 Erie, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.1%

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

Population
94,156
Median Income
$43,397
Median Home Value
$108,200
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Labor force participation
54.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2304.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
375.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1929.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.8°F
Annual Precipitation
43.0"
Annual Snowfall
104.3"

Schools

Total Schools
36
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
91,000 residents92,000 residents93,000 residents94,000 residents95,000 residents96,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 94,861 residents 91,838 residents ▼ -3.2%
Erie's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 4
2021 12
2022 3
2023 1
2024 4

Permit volume increased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.3 minutes
Drive Alone
70.4%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
2.7%
Walk
5.2%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
3.3%

Based on 40,414 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 Erie sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,212/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Reading
94,836 people
Bethlehem
77,069 people
Scranton
76,074 people
Allentown
125,320 people
Lancaster
57,683 people
Levittown
50,930 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Erie's 94,156 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

San Marcos, CA
94,078 people
Livonia, MI
94,058 people
Plantation, FL
94,002 people
Palm Coast, FL
94,362 people
Asheville, NC
94,369 people
Atascocita, TX
93,926 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Erie's $43,397 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Muncie, IN
$43,395 median income
Wenden, AZ
$43,400 median income
Napier Field, AL
$43,393 median income
Sun River Terrace, IL
$43,393 median income
White Sulphur Springs, WV
$43,388 median income
Bryson City, NC
$43,387 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Erie, 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 Erie, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.8% 16.1% 9.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.4% White 68.8% Black or African American 16.1% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 9.9% 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 Erie 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
Erie (this city) 94,156 $43,397
Reading 94,836 $45,599
Bethlehem 77,069 $66,443
Scranton 76,074 $49,531
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Erie, PA?

What is the population of Erie, PA? +

94,156 people live in Erie, PA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Erie is $43,397 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Erie? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Erie; 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 Erie, PA safe? +

Erie has a total crime rate of 2304.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Erie, PA? +

Erie's median home value sits at $108,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Erie? +

Climate normals put Erie's yearly average temperature at 50.8°F, 43.0 inches of precipitation, and 104.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.