City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Old Forge, PA

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

8,533
Residents
$73,258
Median income
$169,700
Median home
$1,252
Median rent (state)

Old Forge - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Old Forge lands in the 54th percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

54th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
41st
percentile, median rent
79th
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: Old Forge, PA

8,533 people live in Old Forge, Pennsylvania - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Old Forge brings in $73,258 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.3%. Typical homes in Old Forge are valued around $169,700, and the median resident age is 47.2 years. About 32.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Old Forge reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 635.6 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,252 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

8,533 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$73,258 /yr

Poverty 4.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Old Forge compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 54% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 41% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Pennsylvania and the picture shifts: Old Forge ranks #140 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Old Forge against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Pennsylvania only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Pennsylvania-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of Pennsylvania's city distribution

Among the 1,861 Pennsylvania cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Old Forge ranks #481 - the 74th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Old Forge only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#707 of 1,765
60th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Gross Rent
#1,019 of 1,865
40th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
#883 of 1,790
51st percentile in Pennsylvania
Poverty Rate
#1,064 of 1,856
42nd percentile in Pennsylvania
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#481 of 1,861
74th percentile in Pennsylvania

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Pennsylvania only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

54thIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

54th percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Old Forge's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Old Forge'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 65 Avg. percentile National median
Old Forge'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 Old Forge's home value compares nationally

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

$169,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Old Forge $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 - Old Forge, PA Old Forge, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Old Forge, 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 Old Forge, PA median $73,258/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%
Old Forge, 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 Old Forge, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.5%

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

Population
8,533
Median Income
$73,258
Median Home Value
$169,700
Median Age
47.2
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor force participation
64.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
635.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
138.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
496.9
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,450 residents8,500 residents8,550 residents8,600 residents8,650 residents8,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,501 residents 8,640 residents ▲ +1.6%
Old Forge's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 27
2021 34
2022 22
2023 21
2024 2

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.3%
Carpool
11.3%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
10.0%

Based on 4,396 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 Old Forge sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,252/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Lewistown
8,505 people
Swissvale
8,499 people
Villanova
8,431 people
Pleasant Hills
8,418 people
Lock Haven
8,386 people
Millersville
8,711 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Old Forge's 8,533 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Delavan, WI
8,531 people
Perryville, MO
8,530 people
Olivette, MO
8,539 people
Lamesa, TX
8,527 people
Gonzales, CA
8,526 people
Socorro, NM
8,540 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Old Forge's $73,258 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Metairie, LA
$73,256 median income
Holtville, AL
$73,250 median income
Manchester, IL
$73,250 median income
Avilla, IN
$73,250 median income
Graettinger, IA
$73,250 median income
Lakota, IA
$73,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Old Forge, 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 Old Forge, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.1% 13.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 84.1% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 13.4% 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 Old Forge 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
Old Forge (this city) 8,533 $73,258
Lewistown 8,505 $40,179
Swissvale 8,499 $60,114
Villanova 8,431 $250,001
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Old Forge, PA?

What is the population of Old Forge, PA? +

Old Forge, PA has a population of 8,533 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Old Forge, PA? +

The median household income in Old Forge is $73,258 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Old Forge? +

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

Old Forge has a total crime rate of 635.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Old Forge, PA? +

Old Forge's median home value sits at $169,700, 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.