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Ernest, PA

Pennsylvania

Ernest is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 368. Residents earn $68,750 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
368 Population 1,600/sq mi density
$68,750 Median Income $26,955 per capita
$81,000 Home Value
$929 Median Rent 19.1% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$68,750 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$81,000 home value, $929/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,750
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $81,000
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.0%
11% lower than US avg
Median Rent $929
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.8%
27% higher than US avg

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

People

Population368
Median Age37.3 yrs
Density1,600/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans5.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$68,750
Per Capita$26,955
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty15.8%
County GDP$4,202M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$81,000
Rent$929
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units166
Rent Burden19.1%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.9 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,159 ft (353 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.0%
High School+92.4%
Graduate+6.1%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute24 min
Broadband83.3%
Libraries3

Is Ernest a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ernest receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Ernest stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ernest is $68,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ernest is $81,000, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $929 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

30.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Ernest experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 47.9 inches, including 45.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Ernest has a population of 368 with a density of 1,600 people per square mile. The median age is 37.3 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

368
Total Population
1,600
People / sq mi
37.3yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Ernest vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ernest vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ernest is $68,750, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Ernest vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,750
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,955
Avg Weekly Wage$1,072
IRS Avg AGI$61,579

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.8%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,921
County GDP$4,202M

Business (County)

Restaurants166
Healthcare249
Retail276
Manufacturing82

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,080
45% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Drive Alone89.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Ernest is $81,000, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $929 (20% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$81,000
71% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$929
20% below US avg
Rent Burden19.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.5%
Housing Units166
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,080
45% above US avg
Effective Rate6.27%
Ernest has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.9 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.9 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall45.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,159 ft (353 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,600/sq mi
Coordinates40.6789°N, 79.1658°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 30.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.1-point margin. 83.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.2%
D 30.1%

Winner: Republican by 39.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.0%
11% below US avg
High School+92.4%
Graduate Degree+6.1%
School Test Score5.95
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,600/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.3%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities249
Restaurants166
Retail Stores276

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Drive Alone89.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Nearby Cities

Chevy Chase Heights, PA 1,094 pop · 2.9 mi Indiana, PA 14,170 pop · 4.0 mi Clymer, PA 1,133 pop · 8.0 mi Homer City, PA 1,716 pop · 9.6 mi Black Lick, PA 1,008 pop · 14.5 mi Blairsville, PA 3,211 pop · 17.7 mi Avonmore, PA 1,008 pop · 19.1 mi Lenape Heights, PA 1,225 pop · 19.5 mi Ford City, PA 2,833 pop · 20.2 mi Northern Cambria, PA 3,515 pop · 20.4 mi Punxsutawney, PA 5,689 pop · 20.8 mi Orchard Hills, PA 1,686 pop · 21.0 mi Kittanning, PA 3,910 pop · 21.2 mi West Kittanning, PA 1,309 pop · 21.2 mi
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