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Sandy Lake, PA

Pennsylvania · Mercer County

Sandy Lake is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 752. Residents earn $67,292 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
752 Population 906/sq mi density
$67,292 Median Income $34,277 per capita
$165,800 Home Value
$745 Median Rent 21.7% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 282 sunny days/yr
614 Violent Crime/100K 614 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$67,292 median income, 6.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$165,800 home value, $745/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
614 violent crimes/100K (62% above avg)
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,292
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $165,800
41% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 614/100K
62% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 46.4%
38% higher than US avg
Median Rent $745
36% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.0%
67% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.4%
8% lower than US avg

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

People

Population752
Median Age31.9 yrs
Density906/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans6.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$67,292
Per Capita$34,277
Unemployment6.0%
Poverty11.4%
County GDP$5,515M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$165,800
Rent$745
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units351
Rent Burden21.7%

Crime

F
Violent614/100K
Property614/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault614/100K
Burglary154/100K

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Sunny Days282/yr
Elevation1,156 ft (352 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+46.4%
High School+95.2%
Graduate+9.0%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute31 min
Broadband97.1%
Libraries5

Is Sandy Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sandy Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment. Sandy Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sandy Lake is $67,292, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 11.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sandy Lake is $165,800, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $745 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 614 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 614 per 100,000, 69% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 46.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Sandy Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 282 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Sandy Lake has a population of 752 with a density of 906 people per square mile. The median age is 31.9 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%).

Population

752
Total Population
906
People / sq mi
31.9yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Sandy Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Sandy Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sandy Lake is $67,292, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Sandy Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,292
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,277
Avg Weekly Wage$1,041
IRS Avg AGI$62,842

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.0%
67% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.4%
8% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,857
County GDP$5,515M

Business (County)

Restaurants251
Healthcare407
Retail423
Manufacturing186

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,174
19% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate2.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.8 min
Drive Alone78.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Sandy Lake is $165,800, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $745 (36% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$165,800
41% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$745
36% below US avg
Rent Burden21.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.3%
Housing Units351
Median Year Built1952

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,174
19% above US avg
Effective Rate2.52%
Sandy Lake has a violent crime rate of 614 per 100,000 residents, 62% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 614 per 100,000 (69% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent614.4/100K
62% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault614.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property614.4/100K
69% below US avg
Burglary153.6/100K
Theft460.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sandy Lake has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area enjoys 282 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days282 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,156 ft (352 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density906/sq mi
Coordinates41.3502°N, 80.0837°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMercer County County
County FIPS42085
Sandy Lake is located in Mercer County County. It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 46.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.2-point margin. 97.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.7%
D 34.5%

Winner: Republican by 30.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+46.4%
38% above US avg
High School+95.2%
Graduate Degree+9.0%
School Test Score5.95
A+ Education Grade (4.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density906/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi
CountyMercer County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access97.1%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities407
Restaurants251
Retail Stores423

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.8 min
Drive Alone78.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.7%

Nearby Cities

Mercer, PA 1,847 pop · 11.7 mi Cochranton, PA 1,193 pop · 11.8 mi Grove City, PA 7,861 pop · 13.3 mi Sugarcreek, PA 4,745 pop · 14.6 mi Greenville, PA 5,533 pop · 16.0 mi Reynolds Heights, PA 1,865 pop · 16.5 mi Slippery Rock, PA 3,434 pop · 19.4 mi Seneca, PA 1,455 pop · 19.7 mi Slippery Rock University, PA 2,724 pop · 19.8 mi Oil City, PA 9,517 pop · 20.2 mi Woodland Heights, PA 1,446 pop · 20.3 mi Hermitage, PA 16,132 pop · 20.3 mi New Wilmington, PA 2,291 pop · 20.6 mi Meadville, PA 12,723 pop · 20.8 mi
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