Pottstown, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Pottstown is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 23,392. Residents earn $56,174 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
23,392 Population 4,823/sq mi density
$56,174 Median Income $30,176 per capita
$172,300 Home Value $345,181 Zillow
$1,181 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
770 Violent Crime/100K 5,048 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$56,174 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$172,300 home value, $1,181/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
770 violent crimes/100K (103% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,174
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $172,300
39% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 770/100K
103% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.3%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,181
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.9%
28% higher than US avg

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

People

Population23,392
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density4,823/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

B
Median Income$56,174
Per Capita$30,176
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty15.9%
County GDP$110,422M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$172,300
Rent$1,181
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$345,181

Crime

F
Violent770/100K
Property5,048/100K
Murder8.9/100K
Assault372/100K
Burglary792/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.3 in/yr
Elevation185 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.3%
High School+88.8%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 61%
Commute26 min
EV Stations4
Libraries37

Is Pottstown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pottstown receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes. Pottstown offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pottstown is $56,174, 25% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pottstown is $172,300, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,181 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 770 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 5,048 per 100,000, 158% above the national average.

Education

20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Pottstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Pottstown has a population of 23,392 with a density of 4,823 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59.1%), with 2.5% Hispanic, 22.8% Black.

Population

23,392
Total Population
4,823
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Pottstown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.7%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.3%
38% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Pottstown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pottstown is $56,174, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Pottstown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,174
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,176
Avg Weekly Wage$1,700
IRS Avg AGI$137,618

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.9%
28% 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 Rate5.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.4 min
Work from Home10.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Pottstown is $172,300, 39% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,181 (2% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $345,181.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$172,300
39% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$345,181
Median List Price$217,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$217,500
$/Sq Ft$166
Homes Sold15
Sale-to-List Ratio99.7%
Price Drops26.8%
Inventory41

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,181
2% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,436

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied52.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,910
183% above US avg
Effective Rate5.75%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Premature Death5,470/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access96.6%
Healthcare Facilities3,385
Pottstown has a violent crime rate of 770 per 100,000 residents, 103% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,048 per 100,000 (158% above US avg). The murder rate is 8.9 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent769.7/100K
103% above US avg
Murder8.9/100K
40% above US avg
Rape97.3/100K
Robbery292.0/100K
Assault371.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,047.6/100K
158% above US avg
Burglary791.9/100K
Theft3,977.0/100K
Vehicle Theft278.7/100K
Arson70.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Pottstown has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.3 inches
19% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation185 ft (56 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²)
Population Density4,823/sq mi
Coordinates40.2509°N, 75.6448°W
County FIPS42091
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% 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+20.3%
40% below US avg
High School+88.8%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density4,823/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
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 Commute26.4 min
Work from Home10.4%

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