McKees Rocks, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

McKees Rocks is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 5,827. Residents earn $33,510 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
5,827 Population 5,497/sq mi density
$33,510 Median Income $24,198 per capita
$70,400 Home Value $186,758 Zillow
$933 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
1,336 Violent Crime/100K 4,617 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.6 / 5.0
$33,510 median income, 7.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$70,400 home value, $933/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,336 violent crimes/100K (251% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,510
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $70,400
75% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,336/100K
251% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.8%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $933
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 7.6%
111% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.6%
147% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,827
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density5,497/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 57%

Economy

D
Median Income$33,510
Per Capita$24,198
Unemployment7.6%
Poverty30.6%
County GDP$18,672M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$70,400
Rent$933
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$186,758

Crime

F
Violent1,336/100K
Property4,617/100K
Murder16.5/100K
Assault610/100K
Burglary1,385/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain39.6 in/yr
Elevation899 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.8%
High School+93.2%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute23 min
EV Stations1
Libraries14

Is McKees Rocks a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, McKees Rocks receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. McKees Rocks has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in McKees Rocks is $33,510, 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 30.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in McKees Rocks is $70,400, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $933 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,336 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,617 per 100,000, 136% above the national average.

Education

10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

McKees Rocks experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.6 inches, including 44.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

McKees Rocks has a population of 5,827 with a density of 5,497 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (57.2%), with 2.8% Hispanic, 25.6% Black.

Population

5,827
Total Population
5,497
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

McKees Rocks vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

McKees Rocks vs U.S. Average

The median household income in McKees Rocks is $33,510, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 30.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: McKees Rocks vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,510
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,198
Avg Weekly Wage$1,391
IRS Avg AGI$102,970

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.6%
111% above US avg
Poverty Rate30.6%
147% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,697
County GDP$18,672M

Business (County)

Restaurants436
Healthcare711
Retail630
Manufacturing226

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,523
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate9.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.9 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in McKees Rocks is $70,400, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $933 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $186,758.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$70,400
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$186,758
Median List Price$52,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$52,500
$/Sq Ft$49
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio88.5%
Price Drops29.6%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$933
20% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,429

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,523
86% above US avg
Effective Rate9.27%

Health Metrics: McKees Rocks vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.9%
Premature Death9,243/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access81.0%
Healthcare Facilities711
McKees Rocks has a violent crime rate of 1,336 per 100,000 residents, 251% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,617 per 100,000 (136% above US avg). The murder rate is 16.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,335.5/100K
251% above US avg
Murder16.5/100K
162% above US avg
Rape33.0/100K
Robbery676.0/100K
Assault610.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,616.7/100K
136% above US avg
Burglary1,385.0/100K
Theft2,918.4/100K
Vehicle Theft313.3/100K
Arson82.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
McKees Rocks has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.6 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall44.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation899 ft (274 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density5,497/sq mi
Coordinates40.4690°N, 80.0633°W
County FIPS42125
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.4%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 25.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.8%
68% below US avg
High School+93.2%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,497/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities711
Restaurants436
Retail Stores630

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.9 min
Work from Home7.4%

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