Unites States >> States >> Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Pennsylvania is a landlocked state in the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario to the northwest, New York to the north, and New Jersey to the east. Pennsylvania is the 5th most populous state in the United States.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania recorded a population of 13,002,700 in the 2020 Census. The latest Census population estimate (July 1, 2024) places Pennsylvania’s population at 13,078,751 (13.08 million), reflecting a modest increase since 2020.
Based on recent Census trends, limited net migration, and natural population change, Pennsylvania’s population is expected to remain relatively stable with slow growth over the coming years.
Projected Population of Pennsylvania (2026): ~13.1 million
Pennsylvania Population Growth (2010–2020)
Pennsylvania recorded a population growth rate of 2.4% between 2010 and 2020, with a net population increase of approximately 300,321 residents during that decade.
Pennsylvania Census Snapshot (2020)
| Pennsylvania | Census 2020 |
| Total Population | 13,002,700 (13 million) |
| Median Age | 40.6 years |
| Population Rank | 5th |
| Total Land Area | 44,816.61 sq mi (116,074 km2) |
| Area Rank | 33rd |
| Population Density | 290/sq mi (112/km2) |
| Median Age | 40.6 years |
Source: US Census 2020
Pennsylvania Historical Population
Pennsylvania’s population increased from 7.6 million in 1910 to 13.0 million in 2020, adding nearly 5.4 million residents over the past century. The state saw rapid growth in the early 1900s, followed by slower but steady expansion in recent decades. Between 2010 and 2020, Pennsylvania recorded a population growth rate of 2.4%, indicating stable long-term demographic growth.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | Percentage Change |
| 2020 | 13,002,700 | 2.4 |
| 2010 | 12,702,379 | 3.4 |
| 2000 | 12,281,054 | 3.4 |
| 1990 | 11,881,643 | 0.1 |
| 1980 | 11,863,895 | 0.6 |
| 1970 | 11,793,909 | 4.2 |
| 1960 | 11,319,366 | 7.8 |
| 1950 | 10,498,012 | 6.0 |
| 1940 | 9,900,180 | 2.8 |
| 1930 | 9,631,350 | 10.5 |
| 1920 | 8,720,017 | 13.8 |
| 1910 | 7,665,111 | 21.6 |
Population Projections
There is estimated to be little or even no growth leading up to 2030, in part because Pennsylvania has a low birth rate with an increasingly older population, although migration to the area should remain stable.
Source: US Census 2020
Pennsylvania Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Pennsylvania (Overview)
Christianity is the largest religious affiliation in Pennsylvania.
Christian: ~73%
Protestant (largest denomination)
Roman Catholic
Unaffiliated: ~22%
Other Religions: ~6%
Non-Christian faiths in Pennsylvania include Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other smaller religious communities.
🔗 Read detailed data: Religion in Pennsylvania
Race and Ethnicity in Pennsylvania (Overview)
Pennsylvania’s population is less racially diverse than many other large U.S. states. According to the 2020 Census, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest group, accounting for 73.5% of the total population.
Other major groups include:
Black or African American: 10.5%
Hispanic or Latino: 8.1%
Asian: 3.9%
Two or More Races: 3.5%
🔗 Read detailed data: Race and Ethnicity in Pennsylvania
Ancestry in Pennsylvania (Overview)
Pennsylvania reflects a strong European ancestry profile, with German, Irish, Italian, English, and Polish representing the largest ancestry groups in the state.
English is the primary language spoken in Pennsylvania. Approximately 88.6% of residents speak only English at home, while Spanish is the most common non-English language, spoken by about 5% of the population.
🔗 Read detailed data: Ancestry in Pennsylvania
Cities and Counties in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest and most populous city in Pennsylvania, with a population of approximately 1.6 million. Other major cities in the state include Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading.
Pennsylvania is divided into 67 counties. Philadelphia County is the most populous county, with about 1.58 million residents, followed by Allegheny County, which has a population of approximately 1.22 million.
🔗 Read detailed data: Cities in Pennsylvania
English
Español
Português
Deutsch