City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

Wilkinsburg, PA

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

14,165
Residents
$48,565
Median income
$140,300
Median home
$1,299
Median rent (state)

Wilkinsburg - the verdict

Nationally, Wilkinsburg sits in the 17th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
45th
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Wilkinsburg, PA

14,165 people live in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $48,565 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.5%. Wilkinsburg's housing stock carries a median value of $140,300, and the median resident age is 41.7 years. About 36.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Wilkinsburg (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Wilkinsburg's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3026.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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 $1,299 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $260 across Pennsylvania, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Wilkinsburg report an average commute of 22.9 minutes, with 47.3% driving alone and 19.8% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 98.1 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

14,165 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$48,565 /yr

Poverty 15.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does Wilkinsburg compare to other US cities?

Where Wilkinsburg 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 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 45% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% 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: Wilkinsburg ranks #382 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 Wilkinsburg'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
15thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wilkinsburg's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wilkinsburg'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Wilkinsburg'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 Wilkinsburg's home value compares nationally

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

$140,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Wilkinsburg $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 - Wilkinsburg, PA Wilkinsburg, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wilkinsburg, 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 Wilkinsburg, PA median $48,565/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%
Wilkinsburg, 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 Wilkinsburg, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.5%

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

Population
14,165
Median Income
$48,565
Median Home Value
$140,300
Median Age
41.7
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor force participation
57.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3026.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
586.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2440.3
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
13,500 residents14,000 residents14,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,277 residents 13,602 residents ▼ -4.7%
Wilkinsburg's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

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

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.9 minutes
Drive Alone
47.3%
Carpool
5.8%
Public Transit
20.8%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
19.8%
Other
3.6%

Based on 7,017 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 Wilkinsburg sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,299/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Ardmore
14,165 people
Indiana
14,170 people
Dunmore
14,123 people
Hershey
14,334 people
Willow Grove
13,919 people
Ephrata
13,729 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wilkinsburg's 14,165 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Collingswood, NJ
14,163 people
Federal Heights, CO
14,160 people
Wells Branch, TX
14,156 people
Waimalu, HI
14,176 people
St. Helens, OR
14,152 people
Southchase, FL
14,149 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wilkinsburg's $48,565 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Thomaston, ME
$48,563 median income
Mitchell, GA
$48,571 median income
Bancroft, IA
$48,571 median income
Paris, MI
$48,571 median income
Harrison, NE
$48,571 median income
Glorieta, NM
$48,571 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wilkinsburg, 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 Wilkinsburg, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.1% 48.4% 10.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.7% White 38.1% Black or African American 48.4% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 10.4% 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 Wilkinsburg 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
Wilkinsburg (this city) 14,165 $48,565
Ardmore 14,165 $115,273
Indiana 14,170 $44,784
Dunmore 14,123 $75,632
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wilkinsburg, PA?

What is the population of Wilkinsburg, PA? +

14,165 people live in Wilkinsburg, PA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Wilkinsburg households earn a median of $48,565 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wilkinsburg? +

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

Wilkinsburg has a total crime rate of 3026.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Wilkinsburg, PA? +

Homes in Wilkinsburg carry a median value of $140,300, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.