City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Norristown, PA

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

35,782
Residents
$65,058
Median income
$205,100
Median home
$1,810
Median rent (state)

Norristown - the verdict

Nationally, Norristown sits in the 43rd percentile for household income and the 24th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

43rd
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
24th
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: Norristown, PA

Pennsylvania's Norristown is a small city, with 35,782 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $65,058 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.2%. Home values in Norristown run a median of $205,100, and the median resident age is 33.7 years. 23.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 61 residential building permits were authorized in Norristown (Building Boom), up 281% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2410.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Norristown's yearly average temperature at 55.0°F with 50.6 inches of precipitation per year and 25.3 inches of snowfall.

Pennsylvania tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,810 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 24.8 minutes, with 63.7% driving alone and 9.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

35,782 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$65,058 /yr

Poverty 15.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Norristown compare to other US cities?

Where Norristown sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 24% 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, Norristown ranks #364 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 Norristown'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.

43rdIncome percentile
24thSafety percentile

43rd percentile nationally for median household income · 24th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Norristown's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Norristown'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 36 Avg. percentile National median
Norristown'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 Norristown's home value compares nationally

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

$205,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Norristown $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 - Norristown, PA Norristown, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Norristown, 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 Norristown, PA median $65,058/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%
Norristown, 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 Norristown, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.9%

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

Population
35,782
Median Income
$65,058
Median Home Value
$205,100
Median Age
33.7
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor force participation
65.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2410.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
450.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1960.1
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
55.0°F
Annual Precipitation
50.6"
Annual Snowfall
25.3"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
35,700 residents35,750 residents35,800 residents35,850 residents35,900 residents35,950 residents 202020212022202320242025 35,747 residents 35,911 residents ▲ +0.5%
Norristown's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
61
housing units authorized
Single-Family
61
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 16
2020 42
2021 0
2022 7
2023 22
2024 61

Permit volume increased 281% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.8 minutes
Drive Alone
63.7%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
7.0%
Walk
4.4%
Work from Home
9.4%
Other
2.7%

Based on 18,053 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 Norristown 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
96.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Chester
33,209 people
Bethel Park
33,070 people
State College
40,669 people
Drexel Hill
30,015 people
Hazleton
29,886 people
Easton
29,079 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Norristown's 35,782 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Plainfield, IN
35,783 people
Inver Grove Heights, MN
35,772 people
Marion, OH
35,771 people
Parkland, FL
35,799 people
East Meadow, NY
35,806 people
Franklin, WI
35,751 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Norristown's $65,058 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hiawatha, KS
$65,058 median income
Norman, OK
$65,060 median income
Schlater, MS
$65,066 median income
Port Morris, NJ
$65,070 median income
Elkhart, TX
$65,071 median income
Midpines, CA
$65,074 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Norristown, 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 Norristown, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 32.2% 32.6% 11.4% 18.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 32.9% White 32.2% Black or African American 32.6% Asian 1.9% American Indian 2.9% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 11.4% Two or more races 18.9% 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 Norristown 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
Norristown (this city) 35,782 $65,058
Chester 33,209 $39,809
Bethel Park 33,070 $104,129
State College 40,669 $47,132
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Norristown, PA?

What is the population of Norristown, PA? +

Norristown, PA has a population of 35,782 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Norristown households earn a median of $65,058 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Norristown? +

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

Norristown has a total crime rate of 2410.3 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 Norristown, PA? +

The median home value in Norristown is $205,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Norristown? +

Norristown has an average annual temperature of 55.0°F, 50.6 inches of precipitation, and 25.3 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.