Population 65,382 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Carbon County
Household size in Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.47 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.51 | 2.60 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.41 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | +0.01 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Carbon County is a place of small households, averaging 2.40 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.47, as it has nationally.
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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.0 | 40.7 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.8 | 41.6 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.1 | 42.3 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.9 | 42.3 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +1.6 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Carbon County skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 43.0 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 10.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 11.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 11.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 11.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +0.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Carbon County (12.8%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 4.2 points, even as the national share fell. Only five of Pennsylvania's 67 counties 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 Carbon County
Renters in Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.8% | 26.9% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.0% | 29.3% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.2% | 31.2% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.6% | 30.3% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +3.4 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Carbon County is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 43.2% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.8 points, as it has 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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 8.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 6.5% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Carbon County: 16.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 1.3 points from 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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1965 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1961 | 1967 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1967 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1969 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Carbon County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1965, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1961 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $712 | $928 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $873 | $1,020 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $862 | $1,170 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,079 | $1,504 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$367 | +$576 | +$494 | +$606 |
Rent in Carbon County runs $1,079 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $367 a month from 2006–10, a 52% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.4% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Carbon County
Bachelor's degrees in Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 26.0% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 26.7% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 29.5% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +7.3 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Carbon County: 19.0% 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 4.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Carbon County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Pennsylvania counties.
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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.8% | 86.4% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.0% | 88.0% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.7% | 89.7% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.7% | 91.4% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Carbon County is close to the national rate: 90.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Carbon County
| Period | Carbon County | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 7.3% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 9.4% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Carbon County runs well above the national rate: 7.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, only two have higher unemployment. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Carbon County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon County | 2.40 | 45.9 | 12.8% | 23.6% | 16.9% | 1965 | $1,079 | 19.0% | 90.7% | 7.7% |
| Schuylkill County | 2.40 | 43.8 | 12.3% | 23.9% | 13.4% | 1954 | $889 | 19.5% | 90.1% | 5.5% |
| Warren County | 2.45 | 44.5 | 8.3% | 24.9% | 4.1% | 1970 | $1,595 | 36.9% | 93.9% | 5.0% |
| Montour County | 2.26 | 42.7 | 9.8% | 31.5% | 4.0% | 1974 | $1,114 | 38.6% | 93.8% | 3.0% |
| Northumberland County | 2.36 | 45.1 | 10.8% | 24.5% | 12.3% | 1959 | $893 | 19.3% | 90.2% | 3.8% |
| Morris County | 2.71 | 43.4 | 6.0% | 25.7% | 4.3% | 1971 | $2,157 | 58.3% | 95.0% | 5.0% |
| Union County | 2.46 | 43.6 | 13.9% | 27.7% | 11.1% | 1970 | $1,058 | 32.5% | 88.1% | 2.0% |
| Snyder County | 2.55 | 42.1 | 7.4% | 24.4% | 9.3% | 1976 | $931 | 20.7% | 84.5% | 2.4% |
| Essex County | 2.75 | 38.5 | 16.2% | 55.1% | 6.4% | 1960 | $1,796 | 38.7% | 86.3% | 8.9% |
| Passaic County | 3.01 | 39.0 | 16.8% | 46.9% | 5.1% | 1956 | $1,783 | 29.7% | 83.7% | 8.0% |
| Bergen County | 2.77 | 42.9 | 8.9% | 34.7% | 5.3% | 1961 | $2,193 | 53.4% | 92.9% | 5.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Adams County, IL · York County, VA · Williamson County, IL · Wayne County, IN · Warren County, NY · Tehama County, CA · Starr County, TX · Shiawassee County, MI · Rutland County, VT · Lamar County, MS
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 Carbon County. 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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