Population 76,235 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Scranton: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Scranton
Household size in Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.35 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.02 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Scranton is a place of small households, averaging 2.37 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest 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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.4 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.8 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.9 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Scranton are younger than 38.9 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is younger than in Pennsylvania overall, where the median age is 42.0. Since 2006–10, the median age has edged down from 39.6, even as the national median rose.
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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Scranton (15.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 48 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 Scranton
Renters in Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.3% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.0% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.4% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.0% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Scranton rent: 50.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Nearly six in ten owners (56.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 4.8 points since 2006–10, 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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.9% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Scranton: 14.8% 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. Only 41 of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people have a higher vacancy rate.
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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1944 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1945 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1945 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +6 |
Scranton is a place of older homes: half were built before 1945, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $637 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $737 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $818 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,071 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$434 | +$494 | +$606 |
Rent in Scranton runs $1,071 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $434 a month since 2006–10, up 68%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 34.1% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are 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 Scranton
Bachelor's degrees in Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.1% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.8% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Scranton: 23.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the east 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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.7% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.4% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.3% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.7% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Scranton never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 4.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 37 of the 496 Pennsylvania cities 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 Scranton
| Period | Scranton | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Scranton is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 1.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Scranton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | 2.37 | 38.9 | 15.1% | 50.0% | 14.8% | 1945 | $1,071 | 23.3% | 86.7% | 5.5% |
| Dunmore | 2.23 | 41.6 | 10.8% | 38.9% | 11.0% | 1948 | $928 | 38.1% | 95.1% | 3.3% |
| Taylor | 2.78 | 38.5 | 20.3% | 37.5% | 6.2% | 1961 | $1,145 | 18.4% | 90.0% | 6.2% |
| Throop | 2.13 | 43.2 | 12.2% | 20.9% | 9.0% | 1948 | $996 | 23.5% | 86.7% | 5.4% |
| Dickson City | 2.20 | 45.4 | 11.3% | 33.2% | 10.9% | 1947 | $1,026 | 24.2% | 90.2% | 8.2% |
| Moosic | 2.57 | 43.1 | 15.4% | 33.4% | 14.4% | 1976 | $1,599 | 38.7% | 93.8% | 3.5% |
| Old Forge | 2.32 | 47.7 | 11.1% | 29.8% | 7.3% | 1959 | $845 | 31.9% | 93.9% | 5.3% |
| Nay Aug | 2.54 | 44.7 | 9.2% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 1975 | $1,488 | 53.3% | 94.0% | 5.9% |
| Olyphant | 2.41 | 42.3 | 14.9% | 27.4% | 11.3% | 1962 | $965 | 28.0% | 98.2% | 4.5% |
| Clarks Summit | 2.52 | 44.0 | 5.2% | 21.1% | 6.0% | 1973 | $1,320 | 53.0% | 97.9% | 3.6% |
| Tooley Corners | 2.73 | 39.0 | 19.0% | 17.9% | 3.9% | 1976 | $1,200 | 36.1% | 90.4% | 2.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Tulsa, OK · Thousand Oaks, CA · Tempe, AZ · Tucson, AZ · The Colony, TX · Tacoma, WA · Tampa, FL · Sylmar, CA · Thornton, CO · Topeka, KS
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 Scranton. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.