County · Pennsylvania
Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County, Pennsylvania. Erie County had 265,832 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.9% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. It holds 42 places (16 cities, villages and boroughs, 21 towns and townships and 5 census-designated) and 74 census tracts. GEOID 42049.
Erie County is the county of the Erie, PA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
265,832
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 270,876 · ACS 2020-2024: 269,052
Median household income
$63,354
±$1,812 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$177,000
±$4,034 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$904
±$20 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
How many people live in Erie County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 270,876 residents in Erie County. The Census Bureau estimates 265,832 for July 1, 2025, down 1.9% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 269,052 over 799 square miles of land.
| Measure | Erie County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 269,052 | 13,018,639 | −4,783 |
| Households | 110,587±821 | 5,274,853 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.02 | 2.39 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 120,111±136 | 5,806,452 | −1,251 |
Erie County's population since 2000
From 280,843 in 2000 to 265,832 in 2025: down 5.3%. 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 Erie County?
Erie County holds 42 places: 16 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 21 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Erie with 91,838 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Erie | 94,831 | $46,113 |
|---|---|---|
| Millcreek Township, Erie County | 54,073 | $76,390 |
| Harborcreek Township | 16,635 | $87,329 |
| Fairview Township, Erie County | 11,138 | $112,306 |
| Northwest Harborcreek | 8,772 | $93,617 |
| Summit Township, Erie County | 7,342 | $73,553 |
| North East Township | 6,529 | $80,198 |
| Corry | 6,210 | $48,618 |
| Edinboro | 4,964 | $48,173 |
| Girard Township, Erie County | 4,869 | $95,461 |
| Greene Township, Erie County | 4,478 | $85,750 |
| McKean Township | 4,437 | $83,736 |
| Washington Township, Erie County | 4,393 | $94,116 |
| Conneaut Township, Erie County | 4,191 | $71,042 |
| North East | 4,106 | $68,828 |
| Waterford Township | 3,915 | $77,286 |
| Lawrence Park | 3,820 | $74,548 |
| Wesleyville | 3,222 | $48,952 |
| Springfield Township, Erie County | 3,076 | $76,296 |
| Girard | 2,993 | $71,165 |
| Lake City | 2,935 | $75,048 |
| Union City | 2,927 | $44,004 |
| Fairview, Erie County | 2,850 | $86,645 |
| Venango Township, Erie County | 2,256 | $80,500 |
| Greenfield Township, Erie County | 1,803 | $83,343 |
| Elk Creek Township | 1,786 | $86,250 |
| LeBoeuf Township | 1,659 | $91,897 |
| Union Township, Erie County | 1,541 | $81,326 |
| Wayne Township, Erie County | 1,540 | $73,281 |
| Albion | 1,528 | $55,556 |
| Franklin Township, Erie County | 1,508 | $101,750 |
| Penn State Erie (Behrend)GEOID 4259212 | 1,486 | not published |
| Waterford | 1,476 | $51,250 |
| Concord Township, Erie County | 1,277 | $68,214 |
| AvoniaGEOID 4203676 | 1,217 | $99,931 |
| Amity Township, Erie County | 985 | $79,063 |
| Cranesville | 570 | $76,167 |
| McKean | 476 | $71,667 |
| Platea | 442 | $67,125 |
| Mill Village | 388 | $61,528 |
| Wattsburg | 353 | $53,516 |
| ElginGEOID 4222960 | 204 | $61,518 |
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 Erie County?
The median resident of Erie County is 40.2 years old; 20.7% are under 18 and 19.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.0%. 4.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Erie County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2±0.3 | 40.9 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 20.7% | 20.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.7% | 19.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% | 8.7% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.7%±0.3 pts | 73.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.0%±0.4 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.1 pts | 3.8% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 3.9%±0.4 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.9%±0.4 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.9%±0.4 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±0.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 16.2%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.2%±0.4 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.9%±0.5 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.3%±1.0 pts | 35.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.7%±0.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.3 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 Erie County earn?
Half of Erie County's 110,587 households earn less than $63,354 a year (±$1,812), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $63,416 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Erie County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,354±$1,812 | $77,971 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,573±$1,939 | $107,538 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,812±$791 | $44,355 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.0%±0.9 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.0%±2.4 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.1%±0.9 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.0%±0.7 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 Erie County?
Owners occupy 68.1% of Erie County's occupied homes and renters 31.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $177,000 by its owner (±$4,034). The median renter pays $904 a month including utilities, and 41.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Erie County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $177,000±$4,034 | $254,500 | +$11,964 |
| Median gross rent | $904±$20 | $1,209 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.5%±2.1 pts | 39.5% | +3.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,393±$25 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.1%±1.0 pts | 69.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Housing units | 120,111±136 | 5,806,452 | −1,251 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.3%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.3%±0.9 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.6%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.3%±0.7 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 Erie County building?
Builders took permits for 243 new housing units across Erie County in 2025 (183 single-family), 0.9 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 Erie County get to work?
75.4% of Erie County's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Erie County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.9%±0.8 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.5 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.4%±1.2 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±0.8 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9%±0.7 pts | 15.6% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.6 min±0.4 | 26.3 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 are Erie County's census tracts?
Erie County is divided into 74 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $16,838 (Tract 1) to $145,972 (Tract 109.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Erie County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 15th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 47th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th of 67 |
| Median household income | 45th of 67 |
| Median home value | 42nd of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18th of 67 |
| Median age | 57th 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 Erie 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.