County · Pennsylvania

McKean County, Pennsylvania

McKean County, Pennsylvania. McKean County had 38,984 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.6% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. It holds 25 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs, 15 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 42083.

McKean County is the county of the Bradford, PA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

38,984

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 40,432 · ACS 2020-2024: 39,904

Median household income

$62,905

±$3,125 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971

Median home value

$104,500

±$4,707 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500

Median gross rent

$809

±$28 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209

How many people live in McKean County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 40,432 residents in McKean County. The Census Bureau estimates 38,984 for July 1, 2025, down 3.6% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 39,904 over 980 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −55 (40,350)
2021→2022 −547 (39,803)
2022→2023 −252 (39,551)
2023→2024 −262 (39,289)
2024→2025 −305 (38,984)

McKean County in Pennsylvania. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	McKean County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	39,904	13,018,639	−1,497
Households	16,369±264	5,274,853	−778
Average household size	2.26±0.04	2.39	no clear change
Housing units	19,465±57	5,806,452	−1,810

McKean County's population since 2000

From 45,936 in 2000 to 38,984 in 2025: down 15.1%. 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.

2000 Census 45,936
2005 (estimate) 44,187
2010 Census 43,450
2015 (estimate) 42,424
2020 Census 40,432
2025 (estimate) 38,984

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 McKean County?

McKean County holds 25 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 15 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Bradford with 7,442 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in McKean County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Bradford	city	7,849	7,683±44	$56,161	$85,600	23.0%	100%
Bradford Township, McKean County	township	4,793	4,698±45	$90,243	$171,900	4.7%	100%
Foster Township, McKean County	township	4,038	3,956±20	$70,362	$99,200	9.8%	100%
Kane	borough	3,630	3,537±50	$52,353	$73,600	9.7%	100%
Keating Township, McKean County	township	2,725	2,690±21	$74,297	$121,700	15.5%	100%
Port Allegany	borough	2,135	2,356±340	$65,595	$112,500	19.9%	100%
Lafayette Township	township	1,768	1,852±140	$66,700	$122,100	10.3%	100%
Wetmore Township	township	1,621	1,838±281	$82,988	$138,500	6.3%	100%
Liberty Township, McKean County	township	1,607	1,537±221	$50,361	$121,700	14.0%	100%
Otto Township	township	1,516	1,328±155	$53,214	$102,400	16.4%	100%
Smethport	borough	1,436	1,462±225	$60,455	$116,100	19.2%	100%
Eldred Township, McKean County	township	1,394	1,454±226	$73,542	$100,800	11.1%	100%
Foster BrookGEOID 4226960	CDP	1,127	942±273	$98,049	$112,600	8.6%	100%
University of Pittsburgh BradfordGEOID 4278698	CDP	920	974±25	not published	not published	–	100%
Mount Jewett	borough	858	674±111	$53,125	$76,300	18.8%	100%
Ceres Township	township	846	1,002±157	$60,114	$98,800	11.3%	100%
Eldred	borough	765	566±132	$49,063	$125,900	14.9%	100%
Annin Township	township	709	679±152	$108,333	$79,400	7.2%	100%
Hamlin Township	township	681	780±187	$51,000	$105,100	3.3%	100%
Lewis Run	borough	583	570±153	$73,523	$123,200	7.0%	100%
Hamilton Township, McKean County	township	549	432±86	$46,250	$97,500	4.4%	100%
Norwich Township	township	501	502±127	$56,250	$110,100	14.5%	100%
Corydon TownshipGEOID 4208316352	township	283	240±77	$68,750	$137,500	3.8%	100%
RewGEOID 4264296	CDP	159	200±130	not published	not published	1.5%	100%
Sergeant TownshipGEOID 4208369304	township	145	68±26	$38,333	not published	30.9%	100%

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 McKean County?

The median resident of McKean County is 44.0 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.1%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	McKean County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	44.0±0.3	40.9	+0.8
Under 18 years	19.4%±0.1 pts	20.4%	–
65 years and over	21.0%±0.2 pts	19.5%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.0%	8.7%	−0.1 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	91.7%±0.7 pts	73.0%	−1.8 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	2.1%±0.3 pts	10.3%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.2 pts	3.8%	no clear change
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	3.1%±0.6 pts	3.6%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.4%±0.2 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	1.5%±0.3 pts	7.7%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	2.3%±0.3 pts	12.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	8.5%±1.0 pts	6.1%	–
With a disability	20.4%±1.3 pts	14.4%	–
No health insurance coverage	4.7%±1.0 pts	5.6%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	92.2%±1.1 pts	92.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	20.8%±1.7 pts	35.2%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	7.8%±0.9 pts	14.3%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	0.9%±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 McKean County earn?

Half of McKean County's 16,369 households earn less than $62,905 a year (±$3,125), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $59,870 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	McKean County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$62,905±$3,125	$77,971	no clear change
Mean household income	$79,484±$3,647	$107,538	–
Per capita income	$32,651±$1,465	$44,355	no clear change
People below the poverty line	13.7%±1.8 pts	11.7%	−2.4 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line	15.9%±3.5 pts	15.6%	−10.1 pts
Households receiving SNAP	18.6%±1.7 pts	14.4%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	87.9%±1.3 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 McKean County?

Owners occupy 78.0% of McKean County's occupied homes and renters 22.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $104,500 by its owner (±$4,707). The median renter pays $809 a month including utilities, and 31.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	McKean County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$104,500±$4,707	$254,500	+$5,552
Median gross rent	$809±$28	$1,209	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	31.1%±6.0 pts	39.5%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,146±$42	$1,762	–
Owner-occupied homes	78.0%±1.5 pts	69.3%	+3.9 pts
Housing units	19,465±57	5,806,452	−1,810
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.9%±0.8 pts	0.8%	–
Rental vacancy rate	1.6%±1.1 pts	4.9%	–
Single-family detached homes	79.3%±1.7 pts	56.6%	–
Mobile homes	9.3%±1.2 pts	3.5%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.2%±0.1 pts	1.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	37.9%±1.7 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 McKean County building?

Builders took permits for 33 new housing units across McKean County in 2025 (21 single-family), 0.8 per 1,000 residents.

2019 28 units
2020 29 units
2021 28 units
2022 41 units
2023 24 units
2024 27 units
2025 33 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in McKean County get to work?

78.8% of McKean County's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	McKean County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	54.5%±1.2 pts	62.7%	–
Unemployment rate	4.9%±1.2 pts	5.3%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	78.8%±1.9 pts	68.2%	–
Carpooled	8.2%±1.2 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	1.1%±0.5 pts	3.6%	–
Walked	4.8%±1.1 pts	3.3%	–
Worked from home	5.3%±1.0 pts	15.6%	+1.6 pts
Mean travel time to work	20.4 min±0.9	26.3 min	−2.1 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 McKean County's census tracts?

McKean County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,149 (Tract 4211) to $80,694 (Tract 4210).

Census tracts of McKean County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 420142083420100	Foster Brook (18%)	3,318	3,160±294	$74,052	$106,700	$923	4.7%
Tract 420242083420200	Bradford	2,778	2,916±331	$56,352	$74,000	$754	24.8%
Tract 420342083420300	Bradford	2,459	2,304±345	$62,188	$75,500	$823	33.0%
Tract 420442083420400	Bradford	2,611	2,463±365	$54,320	$109,900	$851	11.8%
Tract 420542083420500	Foster Brook (15%)	2,851	2,503±297	$69,682	$115,000	$866	12.2%
Tract 420642083420600	Eldred (12%)	5,152	5,000±276	$61,327	$100,500	$730	13.7%
Tract 420742083420700	Port Allegany (27%)	4,357	4,486±280	$64,803	$112,500	$765	15.9%
Tract 420842083420800	Smethport (29%)	3,640	3,625±246	$71,050	$132,700	$781	17.9%
Tract 420942083420900	Mount Jewett (11%)	2,069	1,838±205	$52,583	$87,100	$613	10.5%
Tract 421042083421000	Lewis Run (11%)	5,378	5,800±307	$80,694	$153,300	$867	7.0%
Tract 421142083421100	Kane (27%)	3,501	3,603±209	$51,149	$80,500	$848	9.6%
Tract 421242083421200	Kane (58%)	2,318	2,206±254	$79,306	$103,500	$685	6.1%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does McKean County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?

McKean County's rank among Pennsylvania's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	52nd of 67
Growth 2020-2025	62nd of 67
Residents per square mile	60th of 67
Median household income	46th of 67
Median home value	66th of 67
Median gross rent	47th of 67
Poverty rate	14th of 67
Bachelor's degree or higher	44th of 67
Median age	29th of 67

Every county in Pennsylvania

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 McKean 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.