City · Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, city, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre had 44,523 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 44,328 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 44,423 (±69). GEOID 4285152.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
44,523
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,328 · ACS 2020-2024: 44,423 ±69
Median household income
$48,515
±$3,623 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$117,200
±$5,329 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$946
±$62 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is Wilkes-Barre and what county is it in?
Wilkes-Barre is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It covers 6.8 square miles of land, 6,473 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wilkes-Barre is in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 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 Wilkes-Barre, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 44,523 people lived in Wilkes-Barre on July 1, 2025, up 0.4% since 2020, in line with Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 44,328 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 44,423 (±69).
| Measure | Wilkes-Barre | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 44,423 ±69 | 327,675 | +3,556 |
| Households | 16,644 ±524 | 135,055 | +1,063 |
| Average household size | 2.44 ±0.08 | 2.35 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,781 ±513 | 151,287 | no clear change |
Wilkes-Barre's population since 2000
From 43,123 in 2000 to 44,523 in 2025: up 3.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre?
The median resident of Wilkes-Barre is 34.7 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 15.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 33.8%. 16.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wilkes-Barre | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.7 ±1.3 | 42.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% ±1.6 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.3% ±1.2 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Male | 48.9% ±1.3 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 33.8% ±2.4 pts | 17.3% | +12.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 50.5% ±2.5 pts | 74.2% | −10.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.7% ±1.5 pts | 4.1% | −2.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.5 pts | 1.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.9% ±2.1 pts | 9.6% | +6.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 27.8% ±2.3 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2% ±0.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7% ±1.3 pts | 16.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.4% ±1.7 pts | 6.6% | +2.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.3% ±1.6 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.5% ±2.4 pts | 25.3% | +4.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0% ±1.4 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.8% ±2.0 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.6% ±1.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 Wilkes-Barre earn?
Half of Wilkes-Barre's 16,644 households earn less than $48,515 a year (±$3,623), against $63,691 in Luzerne County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $46,646 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 23.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wilkes-Barre | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,515 ±$3,623 | $63,691 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $64,790 ±$3,428 | $86,447 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,979 ±$1,369 | $36,493 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 23.1% ±3.1 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.8% ±6.8 pts | 24.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.4% ±2.7 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.3% ±1.7 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.2% ±1.9 pts | 87.8% | – |
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 Wilkes-Barre?
Owners occupy 51.2% of Wilkes-Barre's occupied homes and renters 48.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $117,200 by its owner (±$5,329). The median renter pays $946 a month including utilities, and 41.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wilkes-Barre | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $117,200 ±$5,329 | $174,100 | +$24,775 |
| Median gross rent | $946 ±$62 | $1,004 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.2% ±4.7 pts | 38.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,272 ±$74 | $1,475 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.2% ±2.7 pts | 67.8% | +4.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.8% ±2.7 pts | 32.2% | – |
| Housing units | 19,781 ±513 | 151,287 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1% ±1.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.4% ±2.5 pts | 64.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.3% ±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 46.9% ±3.0 pts | 30.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 17.5% ±2.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
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 Wilkes-Barre building?
Builders took permits for 10 new housing units in Wilkes-Barre in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.2 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 Wilkes-Barre work and get to work?
69.0% of Wilkes-Barre's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.5%.
| Measure | Wilkes-Barre | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.5% ±1.8 pts | 60.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.5% ±1.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.0% ±2.6 pts | 74.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.4% ±2.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.2% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 5.9% ±1.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2% ±1.5 pts | 10.9% | +3.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.7 min ±1.9 | 23.5 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 Wilkes-Barre?
16 census tracts lie mostly in Wilkes-Barre (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $33,438 (Tract 2009) to $77,697 (Tract 2002).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2001Luzerne County | 3,757 | $34,105 |
| Tract 2008Luzerne County | 3,732 | $41,272 |
| Tract 2009Luzerne County | 3,769 | $33,438 |
| Tract 2007Luzerne County | 3,546 | $66,250 |
| Tract 2002Luzerne County | 3,218 | $77,697 |
| Tract 2016Luzerne County | 2,876 | $54,375 |
| Tract 2005Luzerne County | 2,735 | $37,061 |
| Tract 2014Luzerne County | 2,684 | $50,625 |
| Tract 2012Luzerne County | 2,671 | $41,989 |
| Tract 2015Luzerne County | 2,622 | $43,683 |
| Tract 2004Luzerne County | 2,610 | $57,278 |
| Tract 2013Luzerne County | 2,579 | $44,407 |
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 Wilkes-Barre) · Census block assignment files
How does Wilkes-Barre compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wilkes-Barre is the 934th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 11th-most populous of 1,012 in Pennsylvania.
Wilkes-Barre ranks 2,026th 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 | 11th | 1,012 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 725th | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 71st | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 2,026th | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 2,051st | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 1,954th | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 1,204th | 1,963 |
| Poverty rate | 104th | 1,606 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,474th | 2,129 |
| Median age | 1,977th | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,995th | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 1,379th | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 1,806th | 2,156 |
Wilkes-Barre's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre?
4 of the 57 figures for Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre.