Pennsylvania Population 2024

Pennsylvania has a relatively small surface area, but like many states on the eastern edge of the USA, it has a relatively dense population by comparison. At the 2010 census, it was confirmed that there were 12,702,379 people living in Pennsylvania and that number represented a 3.4% rise in the numbers declared in 2000.

Pennsylvania is currently the 9th most densely populated state in the country with a density of 283.9 people per square mile. A great deal of the state's population is in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas, as the city has a population of 1.56 million. Far behind in terms of population are Pittsburgh (304.391), Allentown (120,207), Erie (99,475) and Reading (87,879). In terms of the most populated counties in Pennsylvania, two in particular top the list - Philadelphia County at 1,580,863 and Allegheny County at 1,223,048.

Pennsylvania Gender and Religion Statistics

The median age of the population in Pennsylvania is approximately 40.6 years of age. In terms of the ratio of females to males, the state is currently at 51.1% females and 48.9% males.

In terms of preferred religions across the population of Pennsylvania, 73% are affiliated with Christian based faiths, 6% are affiliated with non-Christian faiths, and 21% are unaffiliated with any religion.

Pennsylvania Boundary, Census, and Statehood History

Pennsylvania was one of the 13 original States. In 1792 the acquisition of the Erie Triangle at its northwest corner brought it to essentially its present boundaries. In 1790 census coverage included all parts of the present State except for the Erie Triangle.

Pennsylvania Population History

To use a generalization, the route which early settlers in the New World took meant that states on the eastern side of the country began to fill up more quickly than those in the west. Pennsylvania certainly backs up that assumption when you look at its population figures throughout history.

In 1790, the population had already reached 434,373, and compared to figures in parts of the west that had barely exceeded one thousand, this is an impressive total.

From this point, sizable if unspectacular rises were recorded on a decade by decade basis, and just ten years later, those numbers had risen by 38.7% to 602,365. Similar percentage increases followed through the 1800s, and by the start of the next century, the Pennsylvania population had grown to a substantial 6,302,115.

Pennsylvania Population Growth

The growth trends of the past continued during the 20th century and as of 2016, the numbers were close to 12.8 million, but they're not there yet.

Pennsylvania Population Projections

Pennsylvania continues to grow at a steady but fairly stable rate and there is nothing to indicate that this won’t continue up to the next Census of 2020. There is estimated to be little or even no growth leading up to 2030, in part because Pennsylvania has a low birth rate with an increasingly older population, although migration to the area should remain stable. The 2020 population is estimated to surpass the 13 million milestone.

Pennsylvania's Hispanic population grew an astounding 82.6% from 2000 to 2010, which is one of the largest increases in any state's Hispanic population. This was mainly due to immigration from Puerto Rico, a US territory, but also from immigration from South and Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, along with large numbers of Hispanics leaving New York and New Jersey for more affordable living.

The Asian population of Pennsylvania has also soared by about 60%, fueled by immigration from China, Vietnam and India, along with Asians moving from New York. This gives Pennsylvania one of the largest Asian populations in the country in terms of numbers.

Meanwhile, the Black and African American community has grown by 13%, the largest increase among the diversity of state peers. The White population has decreased 0.7%, but this trend is expected to reverse.

• In the early 1600s, the territory that is now Pennsylvania was disputed by the Dutch, English and Swedes. England acquired the land in 1664.
• Pennsylvania has a rural population of approximately 27% in the country.
• The state also has the highest number of licensed hunters in the United States.
• The Philadelphia Zoo -- which was founded by Dr. William Carmac -- was the first public zoo in the country.
• Benjamin Franklin founded Philadelphia Hospital in 1751. It was the first hospital in the US.
• Philadelphia was the seat of the US federal government from 1776 to 1800. It was also the location for the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
• The first daily newspaper was published in the state back in 1784.