Donora, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Donora is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 4,536. Residents earn $42,851 per year, which is 43% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,536 Population 2,387/sq mi density
$42,851 Median Income $27,878 per capita
$57,700 Home Value $41,511 Zillow
$842 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
277 Violent Crime/100K 1,812 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$42,851 median income, 8.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$57,700 home value, $842/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
277 violent crimes/100K (27% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,851
43% lower than US avg
Home Value $57,700
80% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 277/100K
27% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.6%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $842
28% lower than US avg
Unemployment 8.5%
136% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.5%
41% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,536
Median Age47.5 yrs
Density2,387/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

C
Median Income$42,851
Per Capita$27,878
Unemployment8.5%
Poverty17.5%
County GDP$132,892M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$57,700
Rent$842
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$41,511

Crime

F
Violent277/100K
Property1,812/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault277/100K
Burglary362/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Elevation968 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.6%
High School+91.5%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 60%
Commute29 min
EV Stations1
Libraries72

Is Donora a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Donora receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Donora has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Donora is $42,851, 43% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.5%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Donora is $57,700, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $842 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Donora is below the national average at 277 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,812 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Donora experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 21.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Donora has a population of 4,536 with a density of 2,387 people per square mile. The median age is 47.5 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.1%), with 2.4% Hispanic, 16.1% Black.

Population

4,536
Total Population
2,387
People / sq mi
47.5yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Donora vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.5%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.5%
74% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Donora vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Donora is $42,851, which is 43% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Donora vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,851
43% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,878
Avg Weekly Wage$1,506
IRS Avg AGI$94,625

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.5%
136% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.5%
41% above US avg
Establishments (County)36,316
County GDP$132,892M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,345
Healthcare4,791
Retail3,982
Manufacturing940

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate15.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.4 min
Work from Home7.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Donora is $57,700, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $842 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $41,511.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$57,700
80% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$41,511
Median List Price$99,724

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$99,724
$/Sq Ft$11
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio78.7%
Price Drops40.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$842
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Rate15.34%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Premature Death8,412/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access93.3%
Healthcare Facilities4,791
Donora has a violent crime rate of 277 per 100,000 residents, 27% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,812 per 100,000 (8% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent277.1/100K
27% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault277.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,811.6/100K
8% below US avg
Burglary362.3/100K
Theft1,428.0/100K
Vehicle Theft21.3/100K
Arson42.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Donora has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall21.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation968 ft (295 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density2,387/sq mi
Coordinates40.1795°N, 79.8624°W
County FIPS42003
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 39.4%
D 59.7%

Winner: Democrat by 20.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.6%
57% below US avg
High School+91.5%
School Test Score5.95
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,387/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries72
Healthcare Facilities4,791
Restaurants3,345
Retail Stores3,982

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.4 min
Work from Home7.6%

Nearby Cities

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