Norristown, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Norristown is a mid-size city in Pennsylvania with a population of 35,782. Residents earn $65,058 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
35,782 Population 10,165/sq mi density
$65,058 Median Income $27,999 per capita
$205,100 Home Value $327,252 Zillow
$1,337 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
746 Violent Crime/100K 2,560 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$65,058 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$205,100 home value, $1,337/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
746 violent crimes/100K (96% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,058
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $205,100
27% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 746/100K
96% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,337
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.2%
23% higher than US avg

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

People

Population35,782
Median Age33.7 yrs
Density10,165/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 32%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,058
Per Capita$27,999
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$110,422M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$205,100
Rent$1,337
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$327,252

Crime

F
Violent746/100K
Property2,560/100K
Murder5.8/100K
Assault311/100K
Burglary639/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain50.7 in/yr
Elevation141 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+84.1%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 61%
Commute27 min
EV Stations5
Libraries37

Is Norristown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Norristown receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. Norristown offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Norristown is $65,058, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Norristown is $205,100, 27% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,337 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 746 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 2,560 per 100,000, 31% above the national average.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Norristown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.7 inches, including 25.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Norristown has a population of 35,782 with a density of 10,165 people per square mile. The median age is 33.7 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (32.6%), with 32.2% White, 3.9% Hispanic.

Population

35,782
Total Population
10,165
People / sq mi
33.7yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Norristown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only73.1%
7% below US avg
Spanish26.9%
101% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Norristown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Norristown is $65,058, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Norristown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,058
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,999
Avg Weekly Wage$1,700
IRS Avg AGI$137,618

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.2%
23% above US avg
Establishments (County)28,922
County GDP$110,422M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,054
Healthcare3,385
Retail2,943
Manufacturing896

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,910
183% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.3 min
Work from Home9.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Norristown is $205,100, 27% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,337 (15% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $327,252.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$205,100
27% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$327,252
Median List Price$275,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$275,000
$/Sq Ft$174
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio97.6%
Price Drops13.6%
Inventory59

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,337
15% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,738

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,910
183% above US avg
Effective Rate4.83%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%
Premature Death5,470/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access96.6%
Healthcare Facilities3,385
Norristown has a violent crime rate of 746 per 100,000 residents, 96% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,560 per 100,000 (31% above US avg). The murder rate is 5.8 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent745.9/100K
96% above US avg
Murder5.8/100K
8% below US avg
Rape14.5/100K
Robbery415.1/100K
Assault310.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,560.0/100K
31% above US avg
Burglary638.6/100K
Theft1,712.5/100K
Vehicle Theft209.0/100K
Arson11.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Norristown has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.0°F
2% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.7 inches
33% above US avg
Snowfall25.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
Population Density10,165/sq mi
Coordinates40.1221°N, 75.3399°W
County FIPS42091
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 22.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.1%
D 60.9%

Winner: Democrat by 22.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+84.1%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density10,165/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries37
Healthcare Facilities3,385
Restaurants2,054
Retail Stores2,943

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.3 min
Work from Home9.4%

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