Population 7,971 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Old Allentown
Household size in Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.10 | 2.60 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.99 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.98 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.16 | +0.01 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Old Allentown is a place of big households: 2.98 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 2.83, even as the national average fell.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.8 | 40.7 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.0 | 41.6 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 29.2 | 42.3 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.3 | 42.3 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +1.6 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Old Allentown is young: half of its residents are under 31.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 27.8, in line with the national trend.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.2% | 10.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.4% | 11.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 31.2% | 11.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 31.3% | 11.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | +0.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over three in ten households in Old Allentown (31.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.9 points, mirroring the country. Few Allentown neighborhoods have a higher share of single-parent households: only two of 16.
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 Old Allentown
Renters in Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.2% | 26.9% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 73.9% | 29.3% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 74.2% | 31.2% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 68.8% | 30.3% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +3.4 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Old Allentown rent: 68.8% 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 homeowners, 28.4% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.6 points, mirroring the country.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.8% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 8.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 6.5% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Old Allentown: 14.6% 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 has risen 3.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1938 | 1965 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1938 | 1967 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1938 | 1967 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1940 | 1969 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Old Allentown is a place of older homes: half were built before 1940, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $800 | $928 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $851 | $1,020 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $959 | $1,170 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,322 | $1,504 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$523 | +$576 | +$494 | +$606 |
Rent in Old Allentown runs $1,322 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $523 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 44.5% of household income on rent, 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 west.
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 Old Allentown
Bachelor's degrees in Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 26.0% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 26.7% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 29.5% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.2% | 33.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +7.3 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Old Allentown: 14.2% 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 3.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the south.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.6% | 86.4% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 66.0% | 88.0% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 69.4% | 89.7% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 79.4% | 91.4% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.8 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in five adults in Old Allentown never finished high school, well above the national share: only 79.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Old Allentown
| Period | Old Allentown | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.3% | 7.3% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 9.4% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.7% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Old Allentown runs well above the national rate: 12.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.6 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Old Allentown compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Allentown | 2.98 | 31.3 | 31.3% | 68.8% | 14.6% | 1940 | $1,322 | 14.2% | 79.4% | 12.7% |
| Eighth Ward | 3.19 | 32.7 | 29.6% | 55.2% | 9.1% | 1944 | $1,411 | 9.0% | 78.1% | 9.6% |
| Downtown | 2.03 | 32.3 | 13.5% | 88.0% | 4.9% | 1972 | $1,370 | 27.1% | 85.0% | 6.2% |
| West Park | 2.58 | 37.8 | 24.0% | 77.0% | 8.4% | 1949 | $1,155 | 14.4% | 79.3% | 5.9% |
| Jordan Heights | 3.40 | 26.6 | 30.8% | 75.5% | 9.1% | 1938 | $1,265 | 11.6% | 66.6% | 13.7% |
| West Walnut | 2.69 | 34.6 | 19.5% | 63.5% | 8.4% | 1941 | $1,276 | 20.6% | 84.2% | 9.1% |
| NoTi | 3.22 | 33.7 | 24.8% | 56.6% | 6.6% | 1938 | $1,493 | 8.1% | 69.5% | 14.2% |
| 1st Ward | 3.35 | 27.7 | 39.1% | 72.7% | 14.0% | 1939 | $1,281 | 13.4% | 87.1% | 13.0% |
| Fairview | 2.54 | 33.1 | 21.5% | 64.2% | 4.9% | 1953 | $1,321 | 13.6% | 81.1% | 10.9% |
| 6th Ward | 2.86 | 31.0 | 32.4% | 55.1% | 6.6% | 1938 | $1,358 | 12.3% | 79.8% | 15.7% |
| West End Theatre District | 2.16 | 44.4 | 10.5% | 35.6% | 5.3% | 1950 | $1,334 | 38.7% | 87.9% | 7.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Mount Washington, Los Angeles, CA · East English Village, Detroit, MI · Edison, Kalamazoo, MI · Elgin Historic District, Elgin, IL · Foothills, Fortuna Foothills, AZ · Forest Hills, Cleveland, OH · Glen Park, San Francisco, CA · Hickory Ridge, Charlotte, NC · Hosford-Abernethy, Portland, OR · Kempsville Gardens, Virginia Beach, VA
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 Old Allentown. 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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