Pennsylvania: What you need to know
Living in Pennsylvania puts outdoor lovers near trout-filled streams, scenic hikes and cross-country skiing trails. While Pittsburgh and Philadelphia offer urban environments loaded with entertainment options, much of Pennsylvania is made of up small towns and dense forest areas. The best places to live in Pennsylvania include Pittsburgh, West Chester, Stroudsburg, Bethlehem, as well as the Pocono Mountains region. Steel production, train manufacturing, banking and agriculture drive the economy in Pennsylvania.
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8 Reasons to Move to Pennsylvania
Living in Pennsylvania is a whirlwind of Hershey's chocolate, history and world class universities
The Keystone State delivers on budget-conscious living without skimping on the amenities
Discover the most livable cities in the Keystone State-
The best activities, attractions and things to do in the Keystone State
Read More About Pennsylvania
- Philadephia International Airport, state universities top the list
- Pittsburgh offers residents great restaurants, arts and culture attractions, and professional sporting events.
- Major employers in the Oh-Penn region are in involved in manufacturing, automotive production, education, health care, and transportation and logistics.
Featured Cities in Pennsylvania
Find a City in Pennsylvania
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Quick Facts about PA
| Population | 12,779,559 |
| Latest Population Increase | 0.00% |
| Median Household Income | $53,599 |
| Median Home Price | $166,000 |
| Median Property Tax | $1,425 |
| Median Rent | $69 |
Employment Rate in PA
| Employed | 94.3% | |
| Unemployed | 5.7% |
Featured Cities/Population in PA
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,555,072 |
| Erie, PA | 100,678 |
| Allentown, PA | 119,261 |
| State College, PA | 42,129 |
| New Castle, PA | 22,682 |
| Easton, PA | 26,996 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 305,928 |
| Lebanon, PA | 25,555 |
| Bethlehem, PA | 75,004 |
| Stroudsburg, PA | 5,516 |
Race in PA
| Ethnicity White | 81.6% | |
| Ethnicity Black | 11% | |
| Ethnicity Asian | 3.1% | |
| Ethnicity Hispanic | 6.4% | |
| Ethnicity Indian | 0.2% | |
| Ethnicity Other | 2% |
Employment Rate in PA
| Employed | 94.3% | |
| Unemployed | 5.7% |
Educational Levels in PA
| Bachelor's Degree | 17.4% | |
| Associate's Degree | 7.9% | |
| Graduate or Professional Degree | 11.2% | |
| High School Graduate | 36.4% | |
| Some College, No Degree | 16.3% | |
| Percent Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.6% | |
| Percent High School Graduate or Higher | 89.2% |
Industry in PA
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting and Mining | 1.5% |
| Construction | 5.7% |
| Manufacturing | 12.2% |
| Wholesale Trade | 2.8% |
| Retail Trade | 11.7% |
| Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities | 5.1% |
| Information | 1.7% |
| Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 6.4% |
| Professional, Scientific and Management and Administrative and Waste | 9.9% |
| Educational Services and Health Care and Social Assistance | 25.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment and recreation and Accommodation and food Services | 8.4% |
| Other Services, Except Public Administration | 4.7% |
| Public Administration | 4.1% |
Housing in PA
| Homes Rent | 69.2% | |
| Homes Owned | 30.8% |
Data Sources : U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census, 2011-2015 American Community Survey, 2010 Census Gazetteer, GreatSchools, WalkScore, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, Veterans Administration (VA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Pennsylvania Rankings
Best places to Live in Pennsylvania
| Title | Population | Median Home Price | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,555,072 | $145,300 | $38,253 |
| Pittsburgh | 305,928 | $94,700 | $40,715 |
| Allentown | 119,261 | $126,900 | $36,930 |
| Erie | 100,678 | $85,900 | $34,253 |
| Reading | 88,057 | $67,600 | $26,784 |
| Scranton | 76,064 | $103,700 | $37,218 |
| Bethlehem | 75,004 | $170,500 | $47,291 |
| Lancaster | 59,344 | $109,100 | $35,313 |
| Levit | 51,805 | $223,700 | $69,878 |
| Harrisburg | 49,232 | $84,400 | $33,289 |
| Altoona | 45,814 | $85,400 | $36,215 |
| York | 43,853 | $78,800 | $29,025 |
| State College | 42,129 | $277,100 | $29,450 |
| Wilkes-Barre | 41,108 | $77,700 | $30,945 |
| Norristown | 34,500 | $153,200 | $41,856 |
| Chester | 34,016 | $67,900 | $27,365 |
| Bethel Park municipality | 32,322 | $162,300 | $70,264 |
| Williamsport | 29,339 | $101,900 | $35,826 |
| Monroeville | 28,346 | $132,400 | $58,778 |
| Drexel Hill | 27,999 | $186,700 | $63,642 |