Old Forge, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Old Forge is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 8,533. Residents earn $73,258 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
8,533 Population 2,488/sq mi density
$73,258 Median Income $39,583 per capita
$169,700 Home Value $225,607 Zillow
$862 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
24 Violent Crime/100K 424 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$73,258 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$169,700 home value, $862/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
24 violent crimes/100K (94% below avg)
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,258
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $169,700
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 24/100K
94% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.2%
4% lower than US avg
Median Rent $862
26% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.3%
65% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,533
Median Age47.2 yrs
Density2,488/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,258
Per Capita$39,583
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty4.3%
County GDP$13,421M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$169,700
Rent$862
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$225,607

Crime

F
Violent24/100K
Property424/100K
Murder12.1/100K
Assault12/100K
Burglary85/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Elevation757 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.2%
High School+94.4%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 51%
Commute23 min
Libraries10

Is Old Forge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Old Forge receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Old Forge offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Old Forge is $73,258, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Old Forge is $169,700, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $862 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Old Forge is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 24 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 424 per 100,000, 78% below the national average.

Education

32.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Old Forge experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.7 inches, including 45.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Old Forge has a population of 8,533 with a density of 2,488 people per square mile. The median age is 47.2 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.1%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

8,533
Total Population
2,488
People / sq mi
47.2yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Old Forge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.2%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.8%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Old Forge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Old Forge is $73,258, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Old Forge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,258
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,583
Avg Weekly Wage$1,033
IRS Avg AGI$69,947

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.3%
65% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,565
County GDP$13,421M

Business (County)

Restaurants552
Healthcare776
Retail804
Manufacturing216

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,552
87% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.9 min
Work from Home10.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Old Forge is $169,700, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $862 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $225,607.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$169,700
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$225,607
Median List Price$117,250

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$117,250
$/Sq Ft$117
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio101.4%
Price Drops60.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$862
26% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,552
87% above US avg
Effective Rate3.86%

Health Metrics: Old Forge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Premature Death9,256/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access91.7%
Healthcare Facilities776
Old Forge has a violent crime rate of 24 per 100,000 residents, 94% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 424 per 100,000 (78% below US avg). The murder rate is 12.1 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent24.2/100K
94% below US avg
Murder12.1/100K
92% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault12.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property424.1/100K
78% below US avg
Burglary84.8/100K
Theft242.3/100K
Vehicle Theft96.9/100K
Arson12.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Old Forge has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.3°F
5% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall45.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation757 ft (231 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.9 km²)
Population Density2,488/sq mi
Coordinates41.3704°N, 75.7409°W
County FIPS42069
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 32.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (4% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.3%
D 51%

Winner: Democrat by 2.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.2%
4% below US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score5.95
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,488/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities776
Restaurants552
Retail Stores804

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.9 min
Work from Home10.0%

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