New Kensington, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

New Kensington is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 12,072. Residents earn $49,644 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
12,072 Population 3,056/sq mi density
$49,644 Median Income $33,106 per capita
$132,400 Home Value $172,933 Zillow
$694 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
420 Violent Crime/100K 3,778 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$49,644 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$132,400 home value, $694/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
420 violent crimes/100K (10% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,644
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $132,400
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 420/100K
10% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.1%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $694
40% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.7%
46% lower than US avg

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

People

Population12,072
Median Age49.5 yrs
Density3,056/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,644
Per Capita$33,106
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty6.7%
County GDP$132,892M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$132,400
Rent$694
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$172,933

Crime

F
Violent420/100K
Property3,778/100K
Murder15.6/100K
Assault210/100K
Burglary925/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain42.2 in/yr
Elevation941 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+95.3%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 60%
Commute25 min
Libraries72

Is New Kensington a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, New Kensington receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. New Kensington offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in New Kensington is $49,644, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in New Kensington is $132,400, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $694 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x 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 3,778 per 100,000, 93% above the national average.

Education

20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

New Kensington 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 42.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

New Kensington has a population of 12,072 with a density of 3,056 people per square mile. The median age is 49.5 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.2%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 12.6% Black.

Population

12,072
Total Population
3,056
People / sq mi
49.5yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
4.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

New Kensington vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.1%
22% above US avg
Spanish3.9%
71% below US avg

Social Characteristics

New Kensington vs U.S. Average

The median household income in New Kensington is $49,644, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: New Kensington vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,644
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,106
Avg Weekly Wage$1,506
IRS Avg AGI$94,625

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.7%
46% below 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 Rate6.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.0 min
Work from Home10.3%

Walkability

The median home value in New Kensington is $132,400, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $694 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $172,933.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$132,400
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$172,933
Median List Price$160,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$160,000
$/Sq Ft$93
Homes Sold15
Sale-to-List Ratio92.5%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory42

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$694
40% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$848

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Rate6.69%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Premature Death8,412/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access93.3%
Healthcare Facilities4,791
New Kensington has a violent crime rate of 420 per 100,000 residents, 10% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,778 per 100,000 (93% above US avg). The murder rate is 15.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent419.8/100K
10% above US avg
Murder15.6/100K
147% above US avg
Rape7.8/100K
Robbery186.6/100K
Assault209.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,778.0/100K
93% above US avg
Burglary925.1/100K
Theft2,681.9/100K
Vehicle Theft171.0/100K
Arson38.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
New Kensington 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 42.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.2 inches
11% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation941 ft (287 m)
Area4.0 sq mi (10.2 km²)
Population Density3,056/sq mi
Coordinates40.5725°N, 79.7531°W
County FIPS42003
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 20.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% 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+20.1%
40% below US avg
High School+95.3%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,056/sq mi
Total Area4.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
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 Commute25.0 min
Work from Home10.3%

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