Population 65,208 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wilkes-Barre
Household size in Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.34 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.35 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.38 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Wilkes-Barre are small: just 2.38 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.31, 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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.3 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.9 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.5 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.1 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Wilkes-Barre is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 38.5, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has dropped from 39.5 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the south.
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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.9% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.2% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in Wilkes-Barre (18.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 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 Wilkes-Barre
Renters in Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.5% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.9% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.4% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 44.5% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is more common in Wilkes-Barre than nationally: 44.5% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among homeowners, 55.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 28 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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.6% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.0% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wilkes-Barre: 16.0% 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 edged up 1.5 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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1946 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1949 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1949 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1952 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Wilkes-Barre is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1952, 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 1946 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Wilkes-Barre has older homes than the great majority of 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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $625 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $679 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $790 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,004 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$379 | +$494 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Wilkes-Barre costs $1,004 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $379 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 30.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the north; 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 Wilkes-Barre
Bachelor's degrees in Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.6% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.6% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.7% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wilkes-Barre: 20.7% 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 3.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Wilkes-Barre has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Pennsylvania cities.
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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.8% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.4% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.1% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.0% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Wilkes-Barre never finished high school, more than nationally: 86.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only 32 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 Wilkes-Barre
| Period | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Wilkes-Barre runs well above the national rate: 7.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only 36 of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. 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).
Wilkes-Barre 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre | 2.38 | 38.5 | 18.1% | 44.5% | 16.0% | 1952 | $1,004 | 20.7% | 86.0% | 7.6% |
| Kingston | 2.34 | 39.6 | 18.2% | 47.2% | 9.4% | 1953 | $1,070 | 30.9% | 89.4% | 6.5% |
| Ashley | 2.44 | 37.0 | 18.9% | 32.3% | 26.4% | 1953 | $1,045 | 14.1% | 90.5% | 1.5% |
| Edwardsville | 2.35 | 42.0 | 21.0% | 54.3% | 8.4% | 1961 | $1,031 | 11.6% | 95.7% | 11.8% |
| Laurel Run | 2.16 | 55.8 | 5.7% | 12.8% | 11.5% | 1978 | $763 | 19.6% | 94.7% | 2.0% |
| Pringle | 2.13 | 41.0 | 13.9% | 30.7% | 6.4% | 1939 | $1,044 | 21.7% | 93.5% | 1.0% |
| Plains | 2.30 | 44.0 | 11.1% | 29.0% | 7.6% | 1954 | $1,043 | 30.4% | 93.8% | 7.7% |
| Larksville | 2.49 | 47.3 | 9.6% | 23.9% | 12.9% | 1958 | $1,176 | 23.9% | 88.5% | 8.7% |
| Forty Fort | 2.29 | 41.8 | 6.5% | 43.0% | 7.6% | 1945 | $1,084 | 28.7% | 95.8% | 8.0% |
| Luzerne | 1.98 | 45.4 | 14.6% | 39.9% | 13.3% | 1951 | $1,070 | 17.5% | 83.6% | 5.5% |
| Courtdale | 2.29 | 41.0 | 7.5% | 26.1% | 9.2% | 1958 | $971 | 26.5% | 94.6% | 1.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lake Forest, CA · South San Francisco, CA · Casper, WY · Cookeville, TN · Doral, FL · Goose Creek, SC · Joplin, MO · Lorain, OH · Belleville, IL · Martinsburg, WV
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 Wilkes-Barre. 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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