Lewistown, PA

Pennsylvania

Lewistown is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 8,505. Residents earn $40,179 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
8,505 Population 4,190/sq mi density
$40,179 Median Income $24,558 per capita
$98,600 Home Value $163,335 Zillow
$765 Median Rent 27.7% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature
420 Violent Crime/100K 3,182 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$40,179 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,600 home value, $765/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
420 violent crimes/100K (11% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,179
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $98,600
65% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 420/100K
11% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $765
34% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.8%
148% higher than US avg

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

People

Population8,505
Median Age37.1 yrs
Density4,190/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans9.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,179
Per Capita$24,558
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty30.8%
County GDP$2,340M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,600
Rent$765
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$163,335
Rent Burden27.7%

Crime

F
Violent420/100K
Property3,182/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault288/100K
Burglary384/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain42.1 in/yr
Elevation482 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+83.3%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute21 min
Broadband84.4%
EV Stations5
Libraries2

Is Lewistown a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lewistown is $40,179, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. The poverty rate of 30.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lewistown is $98,600, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $765 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 420 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,182 per 100,000, 62% above the national average.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Lewistown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.1 inches, including 26.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Lewistown has a population of 8,505 with a density of 4,190 people per square mile. The median age is 37.1 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.5%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

8,505
Total Population
4,190
People / sq mi
37.1yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.1%
Female 52.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lewistown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lewistown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lewistown is $40,179, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 30.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Lewistown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,179
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,558
Avg Weekly Wage$1,005
IRS Avg AGI$56,938

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate30.8%
148% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,093
County GDP$2,340M

Business (County)

Restaurants88
Healthcare124
Retail170
Manufacturing83

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,203
20% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.7 min
Drive Alone71.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Lewistown is $98,600, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $765 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $163,335.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,600
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$163,335
Median List Price$159,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$159,000
$/Sq Ft$122
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops12.5%
Inventory16

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$765
34% below US avg
Rent Burden27.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,203
20% above US avg
Effective Rate4.26%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Premature Death9,940/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access70.2%
Healthcare Facilities124
Lewistown has a violent crime rate of 420 per 100,000 residents, 11% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,182 per 100,000 (62% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent420.3/100K
11% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape84.1/100K
Robbery48.0/100K
Assault288.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,182.0/100K
62% above US avg
Burglary384.3/100K
Theft2,749.8/100K
Vehicle Theft48.0/100K
Arson12.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lewistown has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.1 inches
11% above US avg
Snowfall26.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation482 ft (147 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density4,190/sq mi
Coordinates40.5972°N, 77.5715°W
County FIPS42087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 56.4-point margin. 84.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.9%
D 21.5%

Winner: Republican by 56.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+83.3%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density4,190/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.4%
EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities124
Restaurants88
Retail Stores170

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.7 min
Drive Alone71.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Lewistown with another city: