Population 6,069 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Poplar
Household size in South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.60 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.74 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.40 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.94 | +0.01 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in South Poplar are large by national standards, averaging 3.40 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.46, even as the national average fell. Only one other Allentown neighborhood has 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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.3 | 40.7 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.4 | 41.6 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.5 | 42.3 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 30.7 | 42.3 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −4.6 | +1.6 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
South Poplar is young: half of its residents are under 30.7, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has dropped from 35.3 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Few Allentown neighborhoods are younger: only two of 16.
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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.3% | 10.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 11.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 11.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 11.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | +0.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in five households in South Poplar (20.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 South Poplar
Renters in South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.3% | 26.9% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.5% | 29.3% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.8% | 31.2% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 70.3% | 30.3% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +15.1 pts | +3.4 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in South Poplar rent: 70.3% 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 (56.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 15.1 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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 8.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 6.5% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in South Poplar: just 4.4% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Allentown neighborhood has a lower 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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1965 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1967 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1967 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1956 | 1969 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | −9 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in South Poplar is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1956, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Compared with other Allentown neighborhoods, though, South Poplar has newer homes than most.
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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $875 | $928 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $895 | $1,020 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,127 | $1,170 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,518 | $1,504 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$643 | +$576 | +$494 | +$606 |
A typical rental in South Poplar costs $1,518 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $643 a month from 2006–10, a 73% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 32.8% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only one other Allentown neighborhood has higher rents.
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 South Poplar
Bachelor's degrees in South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 26.0% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 26.7% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.2% | 29.5% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.1% | 33.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | −8.1 pts | +7.3 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in South Poplar: 9.1% 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 fallen 8.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Of Allentown's 16 neighborhoods, only two 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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.0% | 86.4% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.8% | 88.0% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.6% | 89.7% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.8% | 91.4% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in South Poplar never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
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 South Poplar
| Period | South Poplar | Allentown area | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 7.3% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 9.4% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −1.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in South Poplar has been strong: just 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. No other Allentown neighborhood has lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 7.6 points since 2006–10, 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).
South Poplar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Poplar | 3.40 | 30.7 | 20.9% | 70.3% | 4.4% | 1956 | $1,518 | 9.1% | 78.8% | 1.7% |
| salisbury | 2.62 | 43.8 | 11.8% | 19.1% | 7.5% | 1969 | $1,458 | 35.0% | 90.6% | 6.1% |
| Mountainville | 2.46 | 45.9 | 20.4% | 27.9% | 9.1% | 1967 | $1,554 | 24.2% | 84.6% | 4.1% |
| Fairview | 2.54 | 33.1 | 21.5% | 64.2% | 4.9% | 1953 | $1,321 | 13.6% | 81.1% | 10.9% |
| West Walnut | 2.69 | 34.6 | 19.5% | 63.5% | 8.4% | 1941 | $1,276 | 20.6% | 84.2% | 9.1% |
| Downtown | 2.03 | 32.3 | 13.5% | 88.0% | 4.9% | 1972 | $1,370 | 27.1% | 85.0% | 6.2% |
| Old Allentown | 2.98 | 31.3 | 31.3% | 68.8% | 14.6% | 1940 | $1,322 | 14.2% | 79.4% | 12.7% |
| West Park | 2.58 | 37.8 | 24.0% | 77.0% | 8.4% | 1949 | $1,155 | 14.4% | 79.3% | 5.9% |
| 1st Ward | 3.35 | 27.7 | 39.1% | 72.7% | 14.0% | 1939 | $1,281 | 13.4% | 87.1% | 13.0% |
| Jordan Heights | 3.40 | 26.6 | 30.8% | 75.5% | 9.1% | 1938 | $1,265 | 11.6% | 66.6% | 13.7% |
| Eighth Ward | 3.19 | 32.7 | 29.6% | 55.2% | 9.1% | 1944 | $1,411 | 9.0% | 78.1% | 9.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Downtown Corona, Corona, CA · Idlewild Farms, Charlotte, NC · Highland Terrace, Oakland, CA · Hedgeville, Wilmington, DE · Grand Lake, Oakland, CA · Eight Mile Wyoming, Detroit, MI · Eastridge, Wichita, KS · Downtown Ridgewood, Ridgewood, NJ · Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL · Terra del Sol, Tucson, AZ
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 South Poplar. 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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