City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Wilkes-Barre, PA

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

44,217
Residents
$47,970
Median income
$108,000
Median home
$1,252
Median rent (state)

Wilkes-Barre - the verdict

Nationally, Wilkes-Barre sits in the 17th percentile for household income and the 32nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
41st
percentile, median rent
32nd
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: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 44,217 residents in Wilkes-Barre, a small city within Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre households earn a median of $47,970 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.4%. Wilkes-Barre's housing stock carries a median value of $108,000, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. Educational attainment runs 19.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 6 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 500% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1988.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 51.3°F with 38.7 inches of precipitation per year and 45.1 inches of snowfall.

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 $1,252 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Pennsylvania run around $260, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Wilkes-Barre workers runs 18.5 minutes, with 70.4% driving alone and 7.4% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 91.6 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

44,217 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$47,970 /yr

Poverty 17.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Wilkes-Barre compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 41% pricier than other cities
Safety 32% 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: Wilkes-Barre ranks #345 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Wilkes-Barre'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.

17thIncome percentile
32ndSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 32nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wilkes-Barre's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wilkes-Barre'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Wilkes-Barre'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 Wilkes-Barre's home value compares nationally

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

$108,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% 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. Wilkes-Barre $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 - Wilkes-Barre, PA Wilkes-Barre, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA median $47,970/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%
Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.9%

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

Population
44,217
Median Income
$47,970
Median Home Value
$108,000
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Labor force participation
53.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1988.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
431.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1556.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.3°F
Annual Precipitation
38.7"
Annual Snowfall
45.1"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
44,200 residents44,300 residents44,400 residents44,500 residents44,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 44,266 residents 44,523 residents ▲ +0.6%
Wilkes-Barre's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 11
2021 2
2022 1
2023 3
2024 6

Permit volume increased 500% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.5 minutes
Drive Alone
70.4%
Carpool
11.3%
Public Transit
2.3%
Walk
6.5%
Work from Home
7.4%
Other
2.1%

Based on 19,162 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 Wilkes-Barre 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
91.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

York
44,830 people
Altoona
43,508 people
State College
40,669 people
Harrisburg
50,092 people
Levittown
50,930 people
Norristown
35,782 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wilkes-Barre's 44,217 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Concord, NH
44,219 people
Salem, MA
44,241 people
North Fort Myers, FL
44,189 people
El Centro, CA
44,186 people
Oakley, CA
44,311 people
Freeport, NY
44,102 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wilkes-Barre's $47,970 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cunningham, KY
$47,969 median income
Corwin Springs, MT
$47,969 median income
Morrisville, NY
$47,969 median income
Taylortown, NC
$47,969 median income
New Rockford, ND
$47,969 median income
New Market, VA
$47,967 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.5% 13.8% 15.5% 12.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 30.6% White 55.5% Black or African American 13.8% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 15.5% Two or more races 12.9% 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 Wilkes-Barre 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
Wilkes-Barre (this city) 44,217 $47,970
York 44,830 $47,115
Altoona 43,508 $50,171
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 Wilkes-Barre, PA?

What is the population of Wilkes-Barre, PA? +

The population of Wilkes-Barre, PA stands at 44,217 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wilkes-Barre, PA? +

Median annual household income in Wilkes-Barre runs $47,970, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wilkes-Barre? +

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

Wilkes-Barre has a total crime rate of 1988.5 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA? +

A typical home in Wilkes-Barre is worth $108,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wilkes-Barre? +

Climate normals put Wilkes-Barre's yearly average temperature at 51.3°F, 38.7 inches of precipitation, and 45.1 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.