City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Sinking Spring, PA

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

4,288
Residents
$73,950
Median income
$266,100
Median home
$1,575
Median rent (state)

Sinking Spring - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Sinking Spring lands in the 55th percentile for household income and the 80th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

55th
percentile, household income
59th
percentile, home value
63rd
percentile, median rent
80th
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: Sinking Spring, PA

4,288 people live in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Sinking Spring households earn a median of $73,950 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.6%. Sinking Spring's housing stock carries a median value of $266,100, and the median resident age is 38.6 years. 29.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 71.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 108 residential building permits were authorized in Sinking Spring (Building Boom), up 9999% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Sinking Spring reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 631.7 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,575 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

4,288 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$73,950 /yr

Poverty 9.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Sinking Spring compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 55% higher than other cities
Home value 59% pricier than other cities
Median rent 63% pricier than other cities
Safety 80% 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: Sinking Spring ranks #138 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 Sinking Spring against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Pennsylvania only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Pennsylvania-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Sinking Spring toward the top of Pennsylvania's cities

Among the 1,790 Pennsylvania cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Sinking Spring ranks #317 - the 82nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sinking Spring only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#682 of 1,765
61st percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Gross Rent
#287 of 1,865
81st percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
#317 of 1,790
82nd percentile in Pennsylvania
Poverty Rate
#574 of 1,856
69th percentile in Pennsylvania
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#570 of 1,861
69th 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.

55thIncome percentile
80thSafety percentile

55th percentile nationally for median household income · 80th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sinking Spring's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sinking Spring'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Sinking Spring'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 Sinking Spring's home value compares nationally

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

$266,100 41st percentile more affordable than 41% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sinking Spring $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 - Sinking Spring, PA Sinking Spring, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sinking Spring, 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 Sinking Spring, PA median $73,950/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%
Sinking Spring, 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 Sinking Spring, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 71.0%

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

Population
4,288
Median Income
$73,950
Median Home Value
$266,100
Median Age
38.6
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor force participation
71.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
631.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
70.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
561.5
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,200 residents4,300 residents4,400 residents4,500 residents4,600 residents4,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,277 residents 4,584 residents ▲ +7.2%
Sinking Spring's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
108
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
108
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
25.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 108

Permit volume increased 9999% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.0%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
11.2%

Based on 2,366 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 Sinking Spring sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,575/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

McGovern
4,290 people
Tarentum
4,286 people
Slatington
4,277 people
Chalfont
4,301 people
Boyertown
4,264 people
Laureldale
4,259 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sinking Spring's 4,288 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Clearlake Riviera, CA
4,287 people
Sheffield, OH
4,287 people
Lamar, MO
4,290 people
Adamsville, AL
4,291 people
Bagdad, FL
4,285 people
Westville, NJ
4,285 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sinking Spring's $73,950 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bennett Springs, MO
$73,950 median income
Princeton, CA
$73,958 median income
South Lake Tahoe, CA
$73,940 median income
Millbury, OH
$73,934 median income
Crawfordsville, IA
$73,929 median income
Hunters Hollow, KY
$73,929 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sinking Spring, 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 Sinking Spring, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.1% 6.8% 8.8% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 20.7% White 75.1% Black or African American 3.2% Asian 6.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.8% Two or more races 6.1% 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 Sinking Spring 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
Sinking Spring (this city) 4,288 $73,950
McGovern 4,290 $110,778
Tarentum 4,286 $42,453
Slatington 4,277 $50,170
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sinking Spring, PA?

What is the population of Sinking Spring, PA? +

4,288 people live in Sinking Spring, PA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sinking Spring, PA? +

Median annual household income in Sinking Spring runs $73,950, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sinking Spring? +

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

Sinking Spring has a total crime rate of 631.7 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 Sinking Spring, PA? +

Sinking Spring's median home value sits at $266,100, 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.