Population 34,081 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chester
Household size in Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.59 | 2.64 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.62 | 2.68 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.61 | 2.65 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.57 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.07 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Chester run a little small, averaging 2.53 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.59, as it has nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the center.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4 | 38.5 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.3 | 39.3 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.7 | 40.3 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.3 | 40.4 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +1.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Chester is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.3, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.4, in line with the national trend. Only 21 of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people 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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.4% | 12.2% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.7% | 11.8% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 28.3% | 11.7% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 26.4% | 12.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −0.1 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Chester: 26.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 4.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only three 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 Chester
Renters in Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.7% | 30.2% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.4% | 32.1% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 63.9% | 32.7% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 60.0% | 33.2% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Chester rent: 60.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among owners, 62.1% have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Only two of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.2% | 9.2% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 9.0% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.8% | 6.9% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Chester: 15.8% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.1 points, a much bigger shift than 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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1953 | 1964 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1950 | 1965 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1951 | 1965 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1968 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | −3 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Chester is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1950, 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 center. Chester has older homes than at least four in five Pennsylvania cities.
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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $771 | $1,049 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $848 | $1,147 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $839 | $1,281 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,068 | $1,631 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$297 | +$582 | +$494 | +$606 |
Rent in Chester runs $1,068 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $297 a month from 2006–10, a 38% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 37.1% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the north and lowest in the center.
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 Chester
Bachelor's degrees in Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 32.7% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 34.4% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 37.9% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 42.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +9.6 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Chester have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.1%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 5.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 18 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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.5% | 87.5% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.8% | 88.9% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 83.3% | 90.5% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.2% | 91.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Chester never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 7.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 27 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 Chester
| Period | Chester | Philadelphia area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 8.4% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 20.2% | 10.2% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.9% | 6.3% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 6.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Chester: 16.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Pennsylvania city with 5,000+ people has higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 1.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Chester compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 2.53 | 36.3 | 26.4% | 60.0% | 15.8% | 1950 | $1,068 | 15.1% | 85.2% | 16.2% |
| Upland | 2.70 | 33.3 | 38.0% | 57.7% | 3.7% | 1943 | $1,211 | 20.2% | 93.7% | 4.5% |
| Parkside | 2.81 | 37.7 | 9.1% | 22.5% | 8.2% | 1952 | $1,303 | 26.4% | 94.3% | 2.7% |
| Brookhaven | 2.51 | 39.5 | 13.8% | 19.4% | 7.2% | 1971 | $1,472 | 30.1% | 95.2% | 3.0% |
| Crum Lynne | 2.65 | 36.8 | 9.3% | 48.0% | 6.7% | 1952 | $1,217 | 14.5% | 85.4% | 10.2% |
| Woodlyn | 2.69 | 33.9 | 11.9% | 34.5% | 7.2% | 1959 | $1,444 | 29.6% | 92.6% | 8.4% |
| Trainer | 2.16 | 40.1 | 19.8% | 28.3% | 2.4% | 1957 | $1,309 | 13.3% | 93.7% | 5.6% |
| Wallingford | 2.91 | 42.2 | 9.3% | 10.7% | 2.3% | 1962 | $2,072 | 64.4% | 95.3% | 3.5% |
| Rose Valley | 3.00 | 42.9 | 5.7% | 2.0% | 1.0% | 1963 | $2,900 | 87.4% | 99.9% | 1.5% |
| Aston | 2.61 | 44.1 | 6.0% | 12.2% | 4.9% | 1974 | $1,542 | 38.0% | 95.7% | 5.4% |
| Ridley Park | 2.45 | 39.8 | 9.8% | 34.1% | 4.7% | 1956 | $1,257 | 30.0% | 94.4% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Des Moines, WA · Cooper City, FL · Collegeville, PA · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Derry, NH · Erie, CO · Bethel Park, PA · Bel Air North, MD · Barstow, CA · Banning, CA
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 Chester. 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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