New Castle, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

New Castle is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 21,727. Residents earn $41,478 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
21,727 Population 2,615/sq mi density
$41,478 Median Income $23,135 per capita
$72,000 Home Value $141,502 Zillow
$698 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
508 Violent Crime/100K 3,836 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$41,478 median income, 7.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,000 home value, $698/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
508 violent crimes/100K (34% above avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,478
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,000
74% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 508/100K
34% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.2%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $698
40% lower than US avg
Unemployment 7.3%
103% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.9%
52% higher than US avg

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

People

Population21,727
Median Age37.7 yrs
Density2,615/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

C
Median Income$41,478
Per Capita$23,135
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty18.9%
County GDP$4,200M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,000
Rent$698
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$141,502

Crime

F
Violent508/100K
Property3,836/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault265/100K
Burglary1,180/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.3 in/yr
Elevation804 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.2%
High School+89.5%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 33%
Commute22 min
EV Stations3
Libraries4

Is New Castle a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, New Castle receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. New Castle has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in New Castle is $41,478, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 18.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in New Castle is $72,000, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $698 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 508 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,836 per 100,000, 96% above the national average.

Education

15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

New Castle experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

New Castle has a population of 21,727 with a density of 2,615 people per square mile. The median age is 37.7 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 10.6% Black.

Population

21,727
Total Population
2,615
People / sq mi
37.7yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
8.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.1%
Female 53.9%

Race & Ethnicity

New Castle vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.2%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.8%
64% below US avg

Social Characteristics

New Castle vs U.S. Average

The median household income in New Castle is $41,478, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: New Castle vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,478
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,135
Avg Weekly Wage$1,018
IRS Avg AGI$63,599

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.3%
103% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.9%
52% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,000
County GDP$4,200M

Business (County)

Restaurants164
Healthcare280
Retail253
Manufacturing126

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,252
50% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Work from Home9.3%

Walkability

The median home value in New Castle is $72,000, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $698 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $141,502.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,000
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$141,502
Median List Price$84,658

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$84,658
$/Sq Ft$76
Homes Sold14
Sale-to-List Ratio99.2%
Price Drops7.4%
Inventory121

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$698
40% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,134

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,252
50% above US avg
Effective Rate7.29%

Health Metrics: New Castle vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Premature Death11,919/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access87.9%
Healthcare Facilities280
New Castle has a violent crime rate of 508 per 100,000 residents, 34% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,836 per 100,000 (96% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent508.2/100K
34% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape26.5/100K
Robbery216.5/100K
Assault265.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,835.8/100K
96% above US avg
Burglary1,179.9/100K
Theft2,496.8/100K
Vehicle Theft159.1/100K
Arson106.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
New Castle has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.3 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation804 ft (245 m)
Area8.3 sq mi (21.5 km²)
Population Density2,615/sq mi
Coordinates40.9956°N, 80.3458°W
County FIPS42073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.2%
55% below US avg
High School+89.5%
School Test Score5.95
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,615/sq mi
Total Area8.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities280
Restaurants164
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Work from Home9.3%

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