City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Steelton, PA

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

6,267
Residents
$55,963
Median income
$124,200
Median home
$1,493
Median rent (state)

Steelton - the verdict

Steelton ranks in the 29th percentile for household income and the 26th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
59th
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: Steelton, PA

6,267 people live in Steelton, Pennsylvania - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Steelton households earn a median of $55,963 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.9%. Home values in Steelton run a median of $124,200, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. Educational attainment runs 15.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Steelton (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2309.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,493 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $260 across Pennsylvania, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 91.1 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

6,267 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$55,963 /yr

Poverty 14.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Steelton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 59% 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.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Pennsylvania alone, Steelton ranks #360 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Steelton'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.

29thIncome percentile
26thSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 26th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Steelton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Steelton'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Steelton'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 Steelton's home value compares nationally

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

$124,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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. Steelton $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 - Steelton, PA Steelton, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Steelton, 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 Steelton, PA median $55,963/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%
Steelton, 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 Steelton, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.0%

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

Population
6,267
Median Income
$55,963
Median Home Value
$124,200
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Labor force participation
56.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2309.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
838.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1471.1
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.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,200 residents6,250 residents6,300 residents6,350 residents6,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,257 residents 6,328 residents ▲ +1.1%
Steelton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 42
2023 0
2024 2

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.0%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.4%
Work from Home
9.2%
Other
2.6%

Based on 2,752 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 Steelton sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,493/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Taylor
6,261 people
Penn Wynne
6,220 people
South Williamsport
6,216 people
Forest Hills
6,332 people
Exton
6,192 people
Corry
6,162 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Steelton's 6,267 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Yardville, NJ
6,266 people
East Rochester, NY
6,263 people
Talent, OR
6,271 people
Vero Lake Estates, FL
6,262 people
Adel, IA
6,259 people
Crestwood, KY
6,275 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Steelton's $55,963 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bruceton, TN
$55,962 median income
Clinton, IL
$55,960 median income
Fairborn, OH
$55,966 median income
Clintonville, WI
$55,960 median income
Biloxi, MS
$55,958 median income
Floyd, NM
$55,956 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Steelton, 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 Steelton, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 40.7% 37.6% 18.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.6% White 40.7% Black or African American 37.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.2% Two or more races 18.5% 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 Steelton 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
Steelton (this city) 6,267 $55,963
Taylor 6,261 $60,446
Penn Wynne 6,220 $156,056
South Williamsport 6,216 $66,810
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Steelton, PA?

What is the population of Steelton, PA? +

Steelton, PA has a population of 6,267 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Steelton is $55,963 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Steelton? +

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

Steelton has a total crime rate of 2309.4 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 Steelton, PA? +

A typical home in Steelton is worth $124,200, 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 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.