County · Pennsylvania
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chester County, Pennsylvania. Chester County had 557,116 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). It holds 104 places (16 cities, villages and boroughs, 57 towns and townships and 31 census-designated) and 124 census tracts. GEOID 42029.
Chester County is one of the 11 counties of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
557,116
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 534,413 · ACS 2020-2024: 547,840
Median household income
$127,208
±$2,511 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$485,600
±$4,003 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,763
±$28 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
How many people live in Chester County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 534,413 residents in Chester County. The Census Bureau estimates 557,116 for July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 547,840 over 751 square miles of land.
| Measure | Chester County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 547,840 | 13,018,639 | +28,280 |
| Households | 204,774±936 | 5,274,853 | +13,794 |
| Average household size | 2.60±0.01 | 2.39 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 212,491±225 | 5,806,452 | +12,089 |
Chester County's population since 2000
From 433,501 in 2000 to 557,116 in 2025: up 28.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Chester County?
Chester County holds 104 places: 16 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 57 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 31 census-designated places. The largest is Tredyffrin Township with 31,818 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tredyffrin Township | 31,927 | $162,194 |
|---|---|---|
| West Goshen Township | 23,040 | $132,242 |
| West Whiteland Township | 19,632 | $133,460 |
| Uwchlan Township | 19,161 | $134,184 |
| West Chester | 18,671 | $78,385 |
| Phoenixville | 18,602 | $102,138 |
| East Goshen Township | 18,410 | $106,866 |
| Caln Township | 14,432 | $100,164 |
| West Bradford Township | 14,316 | $160,514 |
| East Whiteland Township | 13,917 | $147,460 |
| Coatesville | 13,350 | $59,256 |
| Upper Uwchlan Township | 12,275 | $190,691 |
| New Garden Township | 11,363 | $120,550 |
| Willistown Township | 11,273 | $187,466 |
| Westtown Township | 11,154 | $138,664 |
| Easttown Township | 10,984 | $214,861 |
| East Bradford Township | 10,339 | $155,240 |
| East Brandywine Township | 9,738 | $180,714 |
| East Nottingham Township | 8,982 | $129,750 |
| West Caln Township | 8,910 | $99,398 |
| London Grove Township | 8,797 | $175,558 |
| Schuylkill Township, Chester County | 8,780 | $171,786 |
| North Coventry Township | 8,441 | $98,896 |
| Kennett Township | 8,289 | $150,709 |
| Honey Brook Township | 8,274 | $86,212 |
| East Pikeland Township | 8,260 | $146,526 |
| Valley Township, Chester County | 7,985 | $88,895 |
| Downingtown | 7,892 | $96,228 |
| East Fallowfield Township, Chester County | 7,626 | $116,947 |
| East Vincent Township | 7,433 | $138,214 |
| West Brandywine Township | 7,331 | $112,545 |
| East Marlborough Township | 7,306 | $155,504 |
| East Coventry Township | 7,068 | $120,798 |
| West Vincent Township | 6,668 | $202,639 |
| Lionville | 6,582 | $100,582 |
| Paoli | 6,002 | $138,396 |
| Charlestown Township | 6,001 | $202,188 |
| Kennett Square | 5,936 | $80,505 |
| New London Township | 5,810 | $165,313 |
| Oxford | 5,736 | $67,733 |
| Penn Township, Chester County | 5,644 | $136,250 |
| Exton | 5,622 | $120,697 |
| Chesterbrook | 5,610 | $124,295 |
| Lower Oxford Township | 5,420 | $109,875 |
| East Caln Township | 5,384 | $102,288 |
| Pocopson Township | 4,455 | $230,000 |
| Franklin Township, Chester County | 4,433 | $144,403 |
| Sadsbury Township, Chester County | 4,125 | $116,570 |
| Birmingham Township | 4,082 | $215,000 |
| West Pikeland Township | 4,024 | $226,071 |
| Pennsbury Township | 3,876 | $167,727 |
| Parkesburg | 3,862 | $76,250 |
| Berwyn | 3,775 | $145,833 |
| Wallace Township | 3,711 | $182,500 |
| Thorndale | 3,669 | $99,479 |
| Frazer | 3,635 | $141,801 |
| Spring City | 3,494 | $76,419 |
| Malvern | 3,419 | $117,548 |
| London Britain Township | 3,179 | $194,531 |
| Thornbury Township, Chester County | 3,177 | $172,070 |
| Hayti | 2,890 | $77,213 |
| South Coventry Township | 2,796 | $158,162 |
| West Grove | 2,770 | $92,697 |
| West Nottingham Township | 2,764 | $76,853 |
| Warwick Township, Chester County | 2,590 | $104,875 |
| Upper Oxford Township | 2,560 | $114,688 |
| Londonderry Township, Chester County | 2,476 | $122,841 |
| West Fallowfield Township, Chester County | 2,459 | $92,708 |
| West Sadsbury Township | 2,436 | $94,293 |
| West Nantmeal Township | 2,251 | $126,154 |
| Eagleview | 2,193 | $137,417 |
| South Pottstown | 2,150 | $71,506 |
| Kenilworth | 2,148 | $105,729 |
| Honey Brook | 1,892 | $94,375 |
| East Nantmeal Township | 1,832 | $158,958 |
| Lincoln UniversityGEOID 4243544 | 1,739 | not published |
| Elk Township, Chester County | 1,698 | $114,856 |
| South Coatesville | 1,601 | $76,005 |
| DevonGEOID 4219040 | 1,580 | $219,063 |
| CalnGEOID 4210816 | 1,494 | $78,347 |
| Chadds FordGEOID 4212440 | 1,476 | $184,286 |
| Newlin Township | 1,358 | $160,341 |
| Elverson | 1,330 | $78,000 |
| Atglen | 1,313 | $120,417 |
| ToughkenamonGEOID 4277144 | 1,297 | $116,458 |
| Avondale | 1,274 | $78,681 |
| Nottingham | 1,260 | $79,656 |
| Highland Township, Chester County | 1,259 | $96,667 |
| PomeroyGEOID 4261968 | 1,085 | $63,750 |
| DilworthtownGEOID 4219232 | 1,150 | $176,667 |
| Westwood (Chester County)GEOID 4284248 | 1,003 | $87,804 |
| SadsburyvilleGEOID 4267104 | 1,001 | $113,125 |
| GlenmooreGEOID 4229704 | 872 | $148,875 |
| Pughtown | 849 | $171,500 |
| West Marlborough Township | 819 | $73,438 |
| Cochranville | 631 | $116,250 |
| Unionville (Chester County)GEOID 4278624 | 577 | $132,313 |
| KimbertonGEOID 4239648 | 568 | $58,625 |
| Modena | 541 | $82,895 |
| Marshallton (Chester County)GEOID 4247728 | 500 | $108,958 |
| EagleGEOID 4220600 | 498 | $86,641 |
| HamortonGEOID 4232280 | 179 | $146,274 |
| CambridgeGEOID 4210908 | – | not published |
| Cheyney UniversityGEOID 4213418 | 565 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chester County?
The median resident of Chester County is 40.8 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.4%. 10.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chester County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8±0.2 | 40.9 | +0.4 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±0.1 pts | 20.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.7%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.4% | 8.7% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.4%±0.2 pts | 73.0% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.2 pts | 10.3% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.7%±0.1 pts | 3.8% | +1.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.1%±0.4 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.8%±0.4 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.8%±0.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 9.6%±0.3 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±0.4 pts | 5.6% | −0.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.9%±0.3 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 57.1%±0.6 pts | 35.2% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 24.3%±0.5 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
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 Chester County earn?
Half of Chester County's 204,774 households earn less than $127,208 a year (±$2,511), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 the median was $123,333 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,875 after inflation. 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chester County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $127,208±$2,511 | $77,971 | +$3,875 |
| Mean household income | $168,861±$2,461 | $107,538 | – |
| Per capita income | $64,325±$924 | $44,355 | +$1,649 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.0%±0.5 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.1%±1.0 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.6%±0.4 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.7%±0.4 pts | 89.7% | – |
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 Chester County?
Owners occupy 75.1% of Chester County's occupied homes and renters 24.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $485,600 by its owner (±$4,003). The median renter pays $1,763 a month including utilities, and 38.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chester County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $485,600±$4,003 | $254,500 | +$46,119 |
| Median gross rent | $1,763±$28 | $1,209 | +$126 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.9%±2.1 pts | 39.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,660±$27 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.1%±0.7 pts | 69.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 212,491±225 | 5,806,452 | +12,089 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±0.8 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.0%±0.8 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.6%±0.5 pts | 25.0% | – |
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 Chester County building?
Builders took permits for 1,400 new housing units across Chester County in 2025 (1,082 single-family), 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chester County get to work?
64.6% of Chester County's workers drive alone and 24.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Chester County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6%±0.5 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.3 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 64.6%±0.7 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4%±0.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3%±0.2 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 24.1%±0.7 pts | 15.6% | +16.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.9 min±0.4 | 26.3 min | −1.7 min |
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 are Chester County's census tracts?
Chester County is divided into 124 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,612 (Tract 3055) to $250,000 or more (Tract 3003.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Chester County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 67 |
| Median household income | 1st of 67 |
| Median home value | 1st of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 67th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 67 |
| Median age | 54th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Chester County 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' school search.