Erie, PA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

93,850

US Senator

John Fetterman

Democratic Party

US Senator

Dave McCormick

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

34.8

0.287% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

23.3%

5.23% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$46,113

6.26% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$115,200

6.47% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

41,218

0.331% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Erie, PA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.9% of the residents in Erie, PA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Erie, PA are Gannon University (1,426 degrees awarded in 2024), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (1,072 degrees), and Mercyhurst University (769 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Erie, PA was $115,200, and the homeownership rate was 54.1%.

Most people in Erie, PA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Erie, PA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Erie Harbor Pierhead Lighthouse, Erie, PA

Photo by Andrej Baran

United States Pennsylvania Erie County, PA Erie, PA Erie City, Millcreek township, Lawrence Park Township & Wesleyville Borough PUMA, PA Erie County (Outer) PUMA, PA

Population & Diversity

Erie, PA is home to a population of 93.9k people, from which 95.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 7.39% of Erie, PA residents were born outside of the country (6.93k people).

In 2024, there were 4.04 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (61.7k people) in Erie, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 15.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.41k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.9%

2024 Citizenship

96.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.9% of Erie, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Erie, PA was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Erie, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Erie, PA

White (Non-Hispanic)
61.7k ± 1.11k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
15.3k ± 954
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
4.41k ± 897

8.63%

Hispanic Population

8.1k people

8.63% of the people in Erie, PA are hispanic (8.1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Erie, PA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

Dominican Republic
103,235 ± 7,857 people
India
102,082 ± 7,813 people
China
73,024 ± 6,616 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was Dominican Republic, the natal country of 103,235 Pennsylvania residents, followed by India with 102,082 and China with 73,024.

Foreign-Born Population

7.39%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

6.93k people

6.06%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

5.71k people

As of 2024, 7.39% of Erie, PA residents (6.93k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Erie, PA was 6.06%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Erie, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,176 ± 252
Gulf War (2001-)
710 ± 223
Gulf War (1990s)
585 ± 147

Erie, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.66 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Erie, PA.

Health

94.2% of the population of Erie, PA has health coverage, with 35.7% on employee plans, 33% on Medicaid, 11.4% on Medicare, 13.1% on non-group plans, and 1.01% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see 1,265 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,265 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1400 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 345 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.6% under 18 years, 27.1% between 18 and 34 years, 33.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.78%

Uninsured

35.7%

Employer Coverage

33%

Medicaid

11.4%

Medicare

13.1%

Non-Group

1.01%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Erie, PA declined by 1.81% from 5.88% to 5.78%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Erie, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Erie, PA employs 41.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Erie, PA were Health Care & Social Assistance (9,087 people), Manufacturing (5,782 people), and Retail Trade (4,585 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($74,009), Public Administration ($51,250), and Finance & Insurance ($51,067).

Employment

Occupations

41.2k

2024 Value

± 1,587

0.331%

1 Year growth

± 5.57%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Erie, PA grew at a rate of 0.331%, from 41.1k employees to 41.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Erie, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,489 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (3,524 people), and Production Occupations (3,471 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Erie, PA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

41.2k

2024 Value

± 1,587

0.331%

1 Year growth

± 5.57%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Erie, PA grew at a rate of 0.331%, from 41.1k employees to 41.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Erie, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,087 people), Manufacturing (5,782 people), and Retail Trade (4,585 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Erie, PA, though some of these residents may live in Erie, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,226

Median earning men ± $1,806

$31,020

Median earning women ± $1,448

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($58,194), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($54,091), and Wholesale Trade ($52,593).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($50,317), Manufacturing ($49,439), and Public Administration ($47,750).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Y-Axis

2.78%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 6.03M people employed in Pennsylvania. This represents a 2.78% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 18.1%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Pennsylvania.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 50.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.491%).

John Fetterman and Dave McCormick are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Erie, PA. Showing the available data for Pennsylvania.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (50.4%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.7%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.491%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Donald J. Trump with 50.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.491%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

John Fetterman

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Dave McCormick

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

John Fetterman and Dave McCormick are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Pennsylvania over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Erie, PA awarded 3,267 degrees. The student population of Erie, PA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 4,671 male students and 6,283 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Erie, PA are White (2,078 and 72.1%), Asian (297 and 10.3%), Hispanic or Latino (156 and 5.41%), and Black or African American (152 and 5.28%).

The largest universities in Erie, PA by number of degrees awarded are Gannon University (1,426 and 43.6%), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (1,072 and 32.8%), and Mercyhurst University (769 and 23.5%).

The most popular majors in Erie, PA are Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (640 and 19.6%), Pharmacy (186 and 5.69%), and Other Health Preparatory Programs (154 and 4.71%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $39,270.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Erie, PA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 76.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 14.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 10,954 (42.6% men and 57.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 10,954 students enrolled in Erie, PA, 42.6% men and 57.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,379 records, of which 59.2% were women and 40.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
640 degrees awarded
Pharmacy
186 degrees awarded
Dentistry
105 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Professional Doctorate recipients in Erie, PA was Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy with 640 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Professional Doctorate from schools in Erie, PA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Gannon University
1,426 degrees awarded
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
1,072 degrees awarded
Mercyhurst University
769 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Gannon University with 1,426 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 1,366 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Erie, PA, which is 0.719 times less than the 1,901 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,078 degrees mean that there were 7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 297 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($39,270) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,158) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,205) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Erie, PA was $115,200 in 2024, which is 0.346 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $108,200 to $115,200, a 6.47% increase. The homeownership rate in Erie, PA is 54.1%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Erie, PA have an average commute time of 18.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Erie, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$115,200

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,017

$21,574

Median Property Taxes

±$1,080

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Erie, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Erie, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

54.1%

Homeownership

2024

61.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 54.1% of the housing units in Erie, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 53%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Erie, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$46,113

Median Household Income

± $2,036

39.8k

Number of Households

± 1,542

In 2024, the median household income of the 39.8k households in Erie, PA grew to $46,113 from the previous year's value of $43,397.

The following chart displays the households in Erie, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Erie, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.463

2024 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.463

2023 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2024, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0903% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (69.3%)
Carpooled (10.9%)
Worked At Home (7.87%)

In 2024, 69.3% of workers in Erie, PA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.9%) and those who worked at home (7.87%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Erie, PA have a shorter commute time (18.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.14% of the workforce in Erie, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Erie, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Erie, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Erie, PA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

23.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Erie, PA (20.5k out of 88.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Erie, PA is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.