Allentown, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Allentown is a large city in Pennsylvania with a population of 125,320. Residents earn $53,403 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
125,320 Population 7,137/sq mi density
$53,403 Median Income $25,846 per capita
$188,900 Home Value $304,235 Zillow
$1,269 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature 267 sunny days/yr
515 Violent Crime/100K 3,219 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$53,403 median income, 5.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$188,900 home value, $1,269/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
515 violent crimes/100K (35% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,403
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $188,900
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 515/100K
35% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.4%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,269
9% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.5%
53% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.3%
40% higher than US avg

How Allentown Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population125,320
Median Age32.4 yrs
Density7,137/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 42%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,403
Per Capita$25,846
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty17.3%
County GDP$31,739M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$188,900
Rent$1,269
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$304,235

Crime

F
Violent515/100K
Property3,219/100K
Murder7.6/100K
Assault189/100K
Burglary792/100K

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking25.8%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.4 in/yr
Sunny Days267/yr
Elevation276 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.4%
High School+81.2%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 51%
Commute25 min
EV Stations53
Libraries9

Is Allentown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Allentown receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Allentown has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Allentown is $53,403, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 17.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Allentown is $188,900, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,269 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 515 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,219 per 100,000, 64% above the national average.

Education

19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Allentown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 267 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.4 inches, including 9.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Allentown has a population of 125,320 with a density of 7,137 people per square mile. The median age is 32.4 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (42.3%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 13% Black.

Population

125,320
Total Population
7,137
People / sq mi
32.4yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
17.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Allentown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only53.9%
31% below US avg
Spanish46.1%
244% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Allentown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Allentown is $53,403, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Allentown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,403
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,846
Avg Weekly Wage$1,352
IRS Avg AGI$79,347

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.3%
40% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,954
County GDP$31,739M

Business (County)

Restaurants801
Healthcare1,107
Retail1,187
Manufacturing349

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,213
106% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.82%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.8 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Allentown is $188,900, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,269 (9% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $304,235.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$188,900
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$304,235
Median List Price$275,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$275,000
$/Sq Ft$151
Homes Sold67
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops25.8%
Inventory89

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,269
9% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,699

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied42.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,213
106% above US avg
Effective Rate3.82%
In Allentown, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% are current smokers. 31.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Allentown vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma10.7%
COPD8.2%
Cancer6.1%
Kidney Disease3.6%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking25.8%
84% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity31.4%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress17.0%
Short Sleep39.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.8%
Checkup Rate71.5%
Dental Visits54.2%
Premature Death7,048/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access88.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,107
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 515 per 100,000 residents, 35% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,219 per 100,000 (64% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.6 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Allentown vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent514.7/100K
35% above US avg
Murder7.6/100K
20% above US avg
Rape55.6/100K
Robbery262.8/100K
Assault188.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,218.8/100K
64% above US avg
Burglary791.9/100K
Theft2,197.0/100K
Vehicle Theft230.0/100K
Arson11.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)27

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Allentown has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.4 inches. The area enjoys 267 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.3°F
1% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days267 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.4 inches
20% above US avg
Snowfall9.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation276 ft (84 m)
Area17.6 sq mi (45.5 km²)
Population Density7,137/sq mi
Coordinates40.5936°N, 75.4784°W
County FIPS42077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.1%
D 50.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.4%
42% below US avg
High School+81.2%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density7,137/sq mi
Total Area17.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations53
Alt Fuel Stations58
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities1,107
Restaurants801
Retail Stores1,187

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)27
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.8 min
Work from Home7.9%

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