Lancaster, Pennsylvania Population 2024

56,969

Lancaster is a city located in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Lancaster has a 2024 population of 56,969. It is also the county seat of Lancaster County. Lancaster is currently declining at a rate of -0.42% annually and its population has decreased by -1.67% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 57,937 in 2020.

The average household income in Lancaster is $76,058 with a poverty rate of 18.74%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Lancaster is 31.8 years, 31.6 years for males, and 32 years for females.

Lancaster is the county seat of Lancaster County and is one of the oldest cities in the country. Lancaster once served as the capital of Pennsylvania. It was also once the capital of the United States. However, it only held this role for one day.

Lancaster Diversity and Population Statistics

The largest ethnic group residing within Lancaster is Puerto Ricans, making up 29.2% of the population. Germans, Black Americans, Irish and English are also significant ethnic groups living in this Pennsylvania City.

Its concentration of Puerto Rican residents is the second largest in the state, falling only behind Reading. There is also a large Amish community in Lancaster.

Over 900 children in Lancaster are listed as homeless according to public school records, and the poverty rate is twice that of Pennsylvania’s state average. Lancaster General Hospital is the city’s top employer, giving jobs to over 7,000 people. RR Donnelley, County of Lancaster, Armstrong World Industries, and the School District of Lancaster are other top employers in the region.

Lancaster Population Growth

Lancaster, for the most part, has seen significant growth throughout its history. However, during the 1950s through 1980s, the city’s population dropped. Recent revitalization efforts have once again put the community on an upward trend. The city’s population peaked at the time of the 1950 census at 63,774. Today, the population is estimated to be over 59,000. Though it has remained about the same as it was during the 2010 census, continued efforts to revitalize the city could lead to significant growth in the future.

The city that is now Lancaster was once named Hickory Town. However, it was renamed to Lancaster after the English city. James Hamilton laid out the plans for the city in the 1730s, and in the next decade, it was incorporated as a borough. In 1777, Lancaster was designated as the capital of the United States. However, it was moved to York, Pennsylvania. The city also was the state capital from 1799 through 1812 before Harrisburg was designated as the new capital city.

Lancaster was officially incorporated as a city in 1818. The city through the 19th century continued to grow. Part of the first paved road in the country was located in Lancaster. The county prison, which is still in use today was also built during the 1800s. As the city grew, so did its population, and Lancaster was home to many prominent people, including James Buchanan. Buchanan’s estate, Wheatland, is a top tourist destination in Lancaster to this day.

Lancaster was an iron-foundry enter following the American Revolution. Many items were manufacturers here, including wagons and rifles. Toward the end of the 19th century, the first “five and dime” store was opened in Lancaster by Franklin Winfield Woolworth. During the 20th century, a US Navy research, development and manufacturing center was opened. It is no longer in use by the United States government today, but the facility has since become the site of RCA and later, Burle Industries.

In the 21st century, Gallery Row was established and today, the city has a thriving art community. In 2010, Lancaster began revitalizing its downtown and surrounding areas with shops, clubs, bars, and restaurants. Lancaster is also home to Central Market, the oldest farmers market in the country, as well as Park City Center, the largest indoor shopping mall in the South Central region of the state.

Lancaster Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Lancaster was:

  • White: 51.53%
  • Black or African American: 17.4%
  • Two or more races: 14.82%
  • Other race: 13.11%
  • Asian: 2.67%
  • Native American: 0.37%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.1%
Land Area (mi²)
7.2 sq mi
Density (mi²)
7,882.50/sq mi
Growth Since 2020
-1.67% (-968)
The current population of Lancaster, Pennsylvania is 56,969 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 57,937.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Population 2024

Population by Race

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Race
Population
Percentage (of total)
White29,87251.53%
Black or African American10,08917.4%
Two or more races8,59414.82%
Other race7,59813.11%
Asian1,5472.67%
Native American2120.37%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander580.1%

White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Other race

Asian

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Lancaster Population by Race

Lancaster Population Pyramid 2024

Lancaster Median Age

31.8

Total

31.6

Male

32

Female

Lancaster Adults

There are 44,546 adults, (5,386 of whom are seniors) in Lancaster.

Lancaster Age Dependency

48

Age Dependency Ratio

13.8

Old Age Dependency Ratio

34.3

Child Dependency Ratio

Lancaster Sex Ratio

Female30,35952.37%
Male27,61147.63%

Lancaster Population by Age

Lancaster Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type

Household Type
Count
Average Size
Owner
Renter
All21,2342.5646.753.3
Non Family9,0401.3234.865.2
Married7,0493.4273.426.6
Female3,8133.7224.275.8
Male1,3323.0249.850.2

3.32

Average Family Size

2.56

Average Household Size

46.7%

Rate of Home Ownership

Married

Male

Female

NonFamily

owner

renter

Lancaster Households and Families

Male

Female

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Less Than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Degree

Lancaster Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)

Lancaster Educational Attainment by Race

High School Graduation Rate

Bachelors Rate

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The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100%.

The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 43.29%.

Lancaster Educational Attainment by Race

All

Male

Female

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$38,912

Average Earnings

$43,387

Average Male

$35,656

Average Female

Lancaster Earnings by Educational Attainment

Lancaster Language by Age

Only English

Spanish

Other Indo-European Languages

Asian and Pacific Island Languages

Other Languages

Lancaster Language

67.89% of Lancaster residents speak only English, while 32.11% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 26.71% of the population.

Lancaster Language

Lancaster Poverty by Race

rate

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Name
Total
In Poverty
Poverty Rate
Hispanic22,3425,83026.09%
Other7,5293,18042.24%
White20,3112,20110.84%
Multiple8,4131,74820.78%
Black9,5471,72218.04%
Asian1,30736027.54%
Native2074722.71%

18.74%

Overall Poverty Rate

16.01%

Male Poverty Rate

21.14%

Female Poverty Rate

Poverty in Lancaster

The race most likely to be in poverty in Lancaster is Other, with 42.24% below the poverty level.

The race least likely to be in poverty in Lancaster is White, with 10.84% below the poverty level.

The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 4.68%. Among those working part-time, it was 16.15%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 37.08%.

Lancaster Poverty

rate

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Rate
Poverty
Less Than 9th Grade38.11%
High School17.3%
Some College10.1%
Bachelors or Greater6.92%

Lancaster Poverty Rate by Education

rate

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Rate
Poverty
Male Unemployed28.41%
Female Unemployed20.28%
Female Employed10.28%
Male Employed5.67%

Lancaster Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex

Lancaster Income by Household Type

Households

Families

MarriedFamilies

NonFamilies

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mean

median

Income by Household Type

Lancaster Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Marriage Rates

34.4%

Overall Marriage Rate

36.7%

Male Marriage Rate

32.3%

Female Marriage Rate

Lancaster Married by Age and Sex

male

female

Lancaster Marriage

The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 55-64.

Lancaster Marital Status by Race

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Lancaster Marital Status

Second Gulf War

First Gulf War

Vietnam

Korea

World War II

1,535

Number of Veterans

1,406

Male Veterans

129

Female Veterans

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Lancaster Veterans by War

count

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Lancaster Veterans by Age

count

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Lancaster Veterans by Race

Lancaster Veterans by Education

Less Than 9th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelors or Greater

9.91%

Veteran Poverty Rate

30.07%

Veteran Disability Rate

Lancaster Veterans by Education

LaborForceParticipation

68.7%

Labor Force Participation

63.6%

Employment Rate

7.4%

Unemployment Rate

Lancaster Employment by Age

LaborForceParticipation

Lancaster Employment by Race

LaborForceParticipation

Lancaster Employment by Education

Origin of Non-Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.

Origin of Naturalized Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

56.74%

Born in Lancaster

87.2%

Native Born

12.8%

Foreign Born

6.07%

Non Citizen

6.73%

Naturalized

Place of Birth

87.2% of Lancaster residents were born in the United States, with 56.74% having been born in Pennsylvania. 6.07% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.

Lancaster Place of Birth

Note: data after 2022 is projected based on recent change

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Year
Population
Growth
Growth Rate
202955,759-242-0.43%
202856,001-242-0.43%
202756,243-242-0.43%
202656,485-242-0.43%
202556,727-242-0.42%
202456,969-242-0.42%
202357,211-242-0.42%
202257,453-193-0.33%
202157,646-291-0.5%
202057,937-1,357-2.29%
201959,294-120-0.2%
201859,414-86-0.14%
201759,500-6-0.01%
201659,506410.07%
201559,465370.06%
201459,428190.03%
201359,409-5-0.01%
201259,414-8-0.01%
201159,4221450.24%
201059,27700%
200056,3487971.43%
199055,5518261.51%
198054,725-2,965-5.14%
197057,690-3,365-5.51%
196061,055-2,719-4.26%
195063,7742,4293.96%
194061,3451,3962.33%
193059,9496,79912.79%
192053,1505,92312.54%
191047,2275,76813.91%
190041,4599,44829.51%
189032,0116,24224.22%
188025,7695,53627.36%
187020,2332,63014.94%
186017,6035,23442.32%
185012,3693,95246.95%
18408,4177139.25%
18307,7041,07116.15%
18206,6331,22822.72%
18105,4051,11325.93%
18004,292-51,467-92.3%
showing: 41 rows

Lancaster Population by Year