Population 52,281 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 18102
Household size in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.85 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.07 | 2.60 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.01 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.02 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.16 | +0.01 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
ZIP 18102 is a place of big households: 3.02 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.85, even as the national average fell. Only 12 of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.5 | 40.7 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.2 | 41.6 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.4 | 42.3 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.2 | 42.3 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +1.6 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.2, ZIP 18102 is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.5, in line with the national trend. Of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 14 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.9% | 10.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.9% | 11.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 11.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 27.2% | 11.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +0.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than a quarter of households in ZIP 18102 (27.2%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.7 points, mirroring the country. Only six of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 18102
Renters in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.6% | 26.9% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 67.5% | 29.3% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 70.7% | 31.2% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 67.9% | 30.3% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +3.4 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in ZIP 18102 rent: 67.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About four in ten owners (39.6%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 5.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.2% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 8.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 6.5% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in ZIP 18102 is the same as the national rate: 9.6% of homes are empty. The rate is higher than in the Allentown area as a whole (6.5%). Vacancy has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1943 | 1965 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1942 | 1967 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1944 | 1967 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1942 | 1969 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | −2 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in ZIP 18102 is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1942, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east. Of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 11 have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $782 | $928 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $852 | $1,020 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $954 | $1,170 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,305 | $1,504 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$524 | +$576 | +$494 | +$606 |
A typical rental in ZIP 18102 costs $1,305 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $524 a month from 2006–10, a 67% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 40.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 18102
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 26.0% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 26.7% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 29.5% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 33.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in ZIP 18102: 12.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 3.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only 13 of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 66.6% | 86.4% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 68.7% | 88.0% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 70.2% | 89.7% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 75.8% | 91.4% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a quarter of adults in ZIP 18102 never finished high school, well above the national share: only 75.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.2 points, mirroring the country. Only ten of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 18102
| Period | ZIP 18102 | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 7.3% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 9.4% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.3% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in ZIP 18102: 11.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only 23 of the 628 Pennsylvania ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 18102 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 18102 | 3.02 | 32.2 | 27.2% | 67.9% | 9.6% | 1942 | $1,305 | 12.8% | 75.8% | 11.3% |
| ZIP 18101 | 2.17 | 29.5 | 16.1% | 90.4% | 6.8% | 1978 | $1,447 | 31.4% | 87.3% | 7.2% |
| ZIP 18103 | 2.60 | 40.2 | 17.3% | 38.1% | 5.6% | 1965 | $1,458 | 25.3% | 86.0% | 5.7% |
| ZIP 18109 | 2.67 | 36.9 | 16.9% | 47.4% | 7.6% | 1967 | $1,419 | 16.3% | 81.3% | 8.2% |
| ZIP 18052 | 2.53 | 41.2 | 10.9% | 37.4% | 4.7% | 1968 | $1,442 | 26.0% | 92.0% | 7.3% |
| ZIP 18104 | 2.52 | 42.8 | 8.1% | 28.9% | 4.2% | 1974 | $1,750 | 48.8% | 94.4% | 5.9% |
| ZIP 18032 | 2.40 | 39.7 | 11.5% | 25.1% | 2.6% | 1947 | $1,065 | 28.2% | 93.6% | 5.9% |
| ZIP 18018 | 2.28 | 40.0 | 9.8% | 47.0% | 4.2% | 1951 | $1,464 | 38.1% | 91.8% | 5.7% |
| ZIP 18015 | 2.60 | 34.7 | 12.7% | 49.9% | 8.1% | 1957 | $1,449 | 31.4% | 85.7% | 8.2% |
| ZIP 18037 | 2.48 | 42.5 | 12.8% | 21.0% | 5.0% | 1972 | $1,219 | 27.9% | 94.5% | 2.0% |
| ZIP 18049 | 2.47 | 43.3 | 8.2% | 28.2% | 2.7% | 1965 | $1,430 | 38.6% | 94.8% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 78586, TX · 29464, SC · 29526, SC · 30809, GA · 32808, FL · 40601, KY · 48187, MI · 48439, MI · 60148, IL · 60440, IL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 18102. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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