Borough · Pennsylvania
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Swarthmore, borough, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Swarthmore had 6,561 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,543 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,550 (±23). GEOID 4275648.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,561
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,543 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,550 ±23
Median household income
$152,361
±$53,472 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$633,800
±$61,006 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,532
±$175 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is Swarthmore and what county is it in?
Swarthmore is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It covers 1.4 square miles of land, 4,674 residents per square mile in 2020.
Swarthmore is in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 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 Swarthmore, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,561 people lived in Swarthmore on July 1, 2025, up 0.4% since 2020, in line with Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 6,543 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,550 (±23).
| Measure | Swarthmore | Delaware County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,550 ±23 | 579,222 | +232 |
| Households | 2,067 ±162 | 216,946 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.34 ±0.19 | 2.56 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,163 ±177 | 229,715 | no clear change |
Swarthmore's population since 2000
From 6,170 in 2000 to 6,561 in 2025: up 6.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore?
The median resident of Swarthmore is 28.3 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 16.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 10.0%. 11.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Swarthmore | Delaware County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.3 ±5.0 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.0% ±2.3 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.0% ±3.3 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Male | 51.1% ±2.9 pts | 48.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.8% ±3.0 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.0% ±6.3 pts | 62.4% | −11.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.0% ±4.1 pts | 21.9% | +5.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±3.1 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.5% ±2.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±2.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.5% ±3.0 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.5% ±3.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0% ±2.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 6.9% ±2.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.3% ±1.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.1% ±1.1 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 81.5% ±6.2 pts | 41.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 55.3% ±8.2 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.1% ±3.1 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.9% ±1.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 Swarthmore earn?
Half of Swarthmore's 2,067 households earn less than $152,361 a year (±$53,472), against $89,546 in Delaware County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $132,642 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Swarthmore | Delaware County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $152,361 ±$53,472 | $89,546 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $221,158 ±$32,768 | $128,465 | – |
| Per capita income | $73,250 ±$11,208 | $49,673 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 1.8% ±1.3 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.6% ±1.9 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.5% ±1.7 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.1% ±2.7 pts | 93.3% | – |
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 Swarthmore?
Owners occupy 76.0% of Swarthmore's occupied homes and renters 24.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $633,800 by its owner (±$61,006). The median renter pays $1,532 a month including utilities, and 32.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Swarthmore | Delaware County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $633,800 ±$61,006 | $332,200 | +$122,816 |
| Median gross rent | $1,532 ±$175 | $1,372 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.4% ±18.5 pts | 45.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,777 ±$536 | $2,222 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.0% ±6.5 pts | 69.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 24.0% ±6.5 pts | 30.4% | – |
| Housing units | 2,163 ±177 | 229,715 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±6.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.1% ±8.3 pts | 43.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% ±3.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.4% ±1.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 46.5% ±8.2 pts | 22.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.4% ±3.6 pts | 9.6% | – |
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 Swarthmore building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore work and get to work?
41.9% of Swarthmore's workers drive alone and 21.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.3 minutes.
| Measure | Swarthmore | Delaware County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.8% ±4.1 pts | 65.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% ±5.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 41.9% ±8.1 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.0% ±2.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 7.9% ±4.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Walked | 24.5% ±5.9 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.1% ±6.8 pts | 18.0% | +8.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.3 min ±3.5 | 28.1 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 Swarthmore?
1 census tract lies mostly in Swarthmore (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4076Delaware County | 6,550 | $152,361 |
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 Swarthmore) · Census block assignment files
How does Swarthmore compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Swarthmore is the 4,217th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 133rd-most populous of 1,012 in Pennsylvania.
Swarthmore ranks 78th 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 | 133rd | 1,012 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 726th | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 171st | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 78th | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 78th | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 41st | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 279th | 1,963 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9th | 2,129 |
| Median age | 2,101st | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,319th | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 289th | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 985th | 2,156 |
Swarthmore's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore?
15 of the 57 figures for Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore.