City · Pennsylvania
New Kensington, Pennsylvania
New Kensington, city, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. New Kensington had 11,759 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 12,170 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,011 (±31). GEOID 4253736.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,759
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,170 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,011 ±31
Median household income
$49,063
±$4,644 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$142,000
±$6,967 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$751
±$94 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is New Kensington and what county is it in?
New Kensington is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It covers 3.9 square miles of land, 3,082 residents per square mile in 2020.
New Kensington is in the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 8 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 New Kensington, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 11,759 people lived in New Kensington on July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. The 2020 Census counted 12,170 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,011 (±31).
| Measure | New Kensington | Westmoreland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,011 ±31 | 352,500 | −457 |
| Households | 6,220 ±261 | 154,979 | +374 |
| Average household size | 1.93 ±0.08 | 2.23 | −0.20 |
| Housing units | 7,066 ±323 | 168,812 | no clear change |
New Kensington's population since 2000
From 14,701 in 2000 to 11,759 in 2025: down 20.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for New Kensington 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 New Kensington?
The median resident of New Kensington is 48.6 years old; 16.0% are under 18 and 22.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.6%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | New Kensington | Westmoreland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.6 ±4.1 | 47.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.0% ±2.6 pts | 18.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.4% ±2.6 pts | 24.3% | – |
| Male | 51.7% ±3.1 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% ±1.0 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.5% ±2.9 pts | 91.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.6% ±3.0 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 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 | 5.4% ±2.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.9 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | −1.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7% ±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6% ±3.1 pts | 15.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4% ±1.6 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.4% ±1.4 pts | 95.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.5% ±3.9 pts | 32.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.5% ±2.4 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.9% ±4.5 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
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 New Kensington earn?
Half of New Kensington's 6,220 households earn less than $49,063 a year (±$4,644), against $74,109 in Westmoreland County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $52,014 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | New Kensington | Westmoreland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,063 ±$4,644 | $74,109 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $65,257 ±$5,451 | $97,695 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,221 ±$2,878 | $43,509 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.0% ±3.5 pts | 10.3% | −7.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.9% ±10.7 pts | 14.1% | −22.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.5% ±5.0 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.0% ±2.5 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.2% ±3.0 pts | 88.5% | – |
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 New Kensington?
Owners occupy 58.5% of New Kensington's occupied homes and renters 41.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $142,000 by its owner (±$6,967). The median renter pays $751 a month including utilities, and 25.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | New Kensington | Westmoreland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $142,000 ±$6,967 | $203,500 | +$13,885 |
| Median gross rent | $751 ±$94 | $879 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.0% ±8.0 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,179 ±$49 | $1,452 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.5% ±5.3 pts | 78.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.5% ±5.3 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Housing units | 7,066 ±323 | 168,812 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4% ±3.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.4% ±4.5 pts | 76.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% ±1.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.0% ±1.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.3% ±4.0 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.1% ±4.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
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 New Kensington building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in New Kensington 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 New Kensington work and get to work?
71.8% of New Kensington's workers drive alone and 16.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | New Kensington | Westmoreland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8% ±4.2 pts | 60.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% ±2.5 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.8% ±5.1 pts | 77.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.9% ±3.1 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6% ±1.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.9% ±1.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.5% ±3.7 pts | 13.3% | +11.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min ±2.7 | 26.7 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 New Kensington?
6 census tracts lie mostly in New Kensington (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,031 (Tract 8006) to $78,523 (Tract 8008).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8005Westmoreland County | 2,653 | $74,423 |
| Tract 8009Westmoreland County | 2,466 | $48,452 |
| Tract 8006Westmoreland County | 1,971 | $38,031 |
| Tract 8007Westmoreland County | 1,850 | $17,390 |
| Tract 8008Westmoreland County | 1,627 | $78,523 |
| Tract 8004Westmoreland County | 1,444 | $49,019 |
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 New Kensington) · Census block assignment files
How does New Kensington compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, New Kensington is the 2,868th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 57th-most populous of 1,012 in Pennsylvania.
New Kensington ranks 2,018th 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 | 57th | 1,012 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,500th | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 386th | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 2,018th | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 1,544th | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 1,803rd | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 1,723rd | 1,963 |
| Poverty rate | 312th | 1,606 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,305th | 2,129 |
| Median age | 511th | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,858th | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 485th | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 1,186th | 2,156 |
New Kensington's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare New Kensington 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 New Kensington?
10 of the 57 figures for New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington.