Sunbury, PA

Pennsylvania

Sunbury is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 9,643. Residents earn $48,509 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
9,643 Population 4,798/sq mi density
$48,509 Median Income $27,511 per capita
$98,000 Home Value $175,982 Zillow
$731 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
400 Violent Crime/100K 2,372 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,509 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,000 home value, $731/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
400 violent crimes/100K (5% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,509
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $98,000
65% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 400/100K
5% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $731
37% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.6%
26% higher than US avg

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

People

Population9,643
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density4,798/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,509
Per Capita$27,511
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty15.6%
County GDP$4,733M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,000
Rent$731
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$175,982

Crime

F
Violent400/100K
Property2,372/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault370/100K
Burglary678/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain43.7 in/yr
Elevation439 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+89.8%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute22 min
EV Stations2
Libraries7

Is Sunbury a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sunbury receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Sunbury has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sunbury is $48,509, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sunbury is $98,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $731 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,372 per 100,000, 21% above the national average.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Sunbury experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.7 inches, including 28.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Sunbury has a population of 9,643 with a density of 4,798 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.1%), with 2.9% Black.

Population

9,643
Total Population
4,798
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Sunbury vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sunbury vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sunbury is $48,509, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Sunbury vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,509
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,511
Avg Weekly Wage$1,020
IRS Avg AGI$58,914

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.6%
26% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,813
County GDP$4,733M

Business (County)

Restaurants174
Healthcare202
Retail262
Manufacturing80

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,270
22% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Sunbury is $98,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $731 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $175,982.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$175,982
Median List Price$177,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$177,500
$/Sq Ft$68
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio87.8%
Price Drops10.5%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$731
37% 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-Occupied52.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,270
22% above US avg
Effective Rate4.36%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Premature Death9,225/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access70.0%
Healthcare Facilities202
Sunbury has a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, 5% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,372 per 100,000 (21% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent400.5/100K
5% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery30.8/100K
Assault369.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,371.9/100K
21% above US avg
Burglary677.7/100K
Theft1,663.4/100K
Vehicle Theft30.8/100K
Arson51.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sunbury has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.7 inches
15% above US avg
Snowfall28.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation439 ft (134 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density4,798/sq mi
Coordinates40.8615°N, 76.7867°W
County FIPS42097
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.5%
D 29.6%

Winner: Republican by 39.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+89.8%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density4,798/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities202
Restaurants174
Retail Stores262

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home5.8%

Nearby Cities

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