At a Glance
Median Income
$146,992
$66,784 per capita
Home Value
$557,900
Zillow: $473,842
Median Rent
$1,493/mo
27.5% of income on rent
Violent Crime
92/100K
658/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
79.2%
99.2% high school+
Unemployment
8.2%
0.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
34.1%
24.3% smoking rate
How Swarthmore Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Swarthmore's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Swarthmore a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Swarthmore residents earn a median household income of $146,992 , which is 96% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $66,784. The unemployment rate stands at 8.2% (128% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 14,424 business establishments, including 1,170 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Swarthmore is $557,900 , 98% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $473,842. Median rent is $1,493/month, with 27.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Safety & Crime
Swarthmore reports 92 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 76% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 658/100K.
Education
79.2% of adults in Swarthmore hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(135% above the national average).
99.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Swarthmore has an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C).
Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Data Overview
People
Population6,524
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density4,660/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born12.4%
Veterans3.4%
Economy
A
Median Income$146,992
Per Capita$66,784
Unemployment8.2%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$42,608M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,407
Housing
A+
Home Value$557,900
Rent$1,493
Ownership74.5%
Zillow$473,842
Housing Units2,266
Rent Burden27.5%
Crime
F
Violent92/100K
Property658/100K
Health
Obesity34.1%
Diabetes13.5%
Smoking24.3%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death7,708/100K
Climate
Avg Temp56°F
Rain44.1 in/yr
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation126 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+79.2%
High School+99.2%
Graduate+51.6%
School Score5.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 38% / D 61%
Commute27 min
Broadband96.2%
Internet Speed279 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries28
Did You Know?
Swarthmore was founded in 1893.
The median home in Swarthmore was built in 1938.
17.6% work from home.
The nearest airport is Philadelphia International (6 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.482 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
8.2% of the population has a disability.
12.4% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 279 Mbps.
There are 1,170 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 24 fatal vehicle crashes.