Carbondale, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Carbondale is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 8,820. Residents earn $48,592 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
8,820 Population 2,722/sq mi density
$48,592 Median Income $28,212 per capita
$118,800 Home Value
$788 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$48,592 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,800 home value, $788/mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,592
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $118,800
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.6%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $788
32% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.0%
69% higher than US avg

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

People

Population8,820
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density2,722/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,592
Per Capita$28,212
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty21.0%
County GDP$13,421M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$118,800
Rent$788
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.7 in/yr
Elevation1,045 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.6%
High School+90.0%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 51%
Commute19 min
Libraries10

Is Carbondale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carbondale receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Carbondale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carbondale is $48,592, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 21.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carbondale is $118,800, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $788 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Carbondale has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.7 inches, including 82.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Carbondale has a population of 8,820 with a density of 2,722 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.9%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 2.5% Black.

Population

8,820
Total Population
2,722
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Carbondale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.5%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.5%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Carbondale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carbondale is $48,592, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Carbondale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,592
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,212
Avg Weekly Wage$1,033
IRS Avg AGI$69,947

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.0%
69% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,565
County GDP$13,421M

Business (County)

Restaurants552
Healthcare776
Retail804
Manufacturing216

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,552
87% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.1 min
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Carbondale is $118,800, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $788 (32% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$118,800
58% below US avg
Median List Price$69,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$69,000
$/Sq Ft$99
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio95.0%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory20

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$788
32% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,201

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied52.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,552
87% above US avg
Effective Rate5.52%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Premature Death9,256/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access91.7%
Healthcare Facilities776

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Safety Score

Carbondale has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.7 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall82.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,045 ft (319 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.4 km²)
Population Density2,722/sq mi
Coordinates41.5714°N, 75.5048°W
County FIPS42069
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.3%
D 51%

Winner: Democrat by 2.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.6%
45% below US avg
High School+90.0%
School Test Score5.95
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,722/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities776
Restaurants552
Retail Stores804

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.1 min
Work from Home4.4%

Nearby Cities

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