Portage, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Portage is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 2,477. Residents earn $46,389 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,477 Population 3,753/sq mi density
$46,389 Median Income $27,461 per capita
$88,800 Home Value
$622 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
196 Violent Crime/100K 1,216 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$46,389 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,800 home value, $622/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
196 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,389
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,800
68% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 196/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.9%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $622
47% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.5%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,477
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density3,753/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,389
Per Capita$27,461
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty10.5%
County GDP$6,208M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,800
Rent$622
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent196/100K
Property1,216/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault196/100K
Burglary157/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.7 in/yr
Elevation1,689 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+89.5%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute24 min
Libraries14

Is Portage a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Portage is $46,389, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. 10.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Portage is $88,800, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $622 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Portage is below the national average at 196 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,216 per 100,000, 38% below the national average.

Education

21.9% 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

Portage experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.7 inches, including 79.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Portage has a population of 2,477 with a density of 3,753 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.6%).

Population

2,477
Total Population
3,753
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.9%
Female 47.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Portage vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Portage vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Portage is $46,389, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Portage vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,389
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,461
Avg Weekly Wage$958
IRS Avg AGI$60,334

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.5%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,304
County GDP$6,208M

Business (County)

Restaurants299
Healthcare471
Retail469
Manufacturing107

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,651
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.2 min
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Portage is $88,800, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $622 (47% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,800
68% below US avg
Median List Price$124,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$124,500
$/Sq Ft$81
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio94.8%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$622
47% 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-Occupied74.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,651
33% above US avg
Effective Rate5.24%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.1%
Premature Death10,679/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access85.1%
Healthcare Facilities471
Portage has a violent crime rate of 196 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,216 per 100,000 (38% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent196.1/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault196.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,215.7/100K
38% below US avg
Burglary156.9/100K
Theft1,058.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Portage has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.7 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall79.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,689 ft (515 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density3,753/sq mi
Coordinates40.3869°N, 78.6747°W
County FIPS42021
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.5%
D 29.8%

Winner: Republican by 39.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.9%
35% below US avg
High School+89.5%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density3,753/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities471
Restaurants299
Retail Stores469

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.2 min
Work from Home10.7%

Nearby Cities

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