Swissvale, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Swissvale is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 8,499. Residents earn $60,114 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
8,499 Population 7,024/sq mi density
$60,114 Median Income $44,467 per capita
$141,300 Home Value
$1,097 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
727 Violent Crime/100K 2,943 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$60,114 median income, 5.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$141,300 home value, $1,097/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
727 violent crimes/100K (91% above avg)
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,114
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $141,300
50% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 727/100K
91% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.0%
22% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,097
6% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.1%
51% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,499
Median Age38.9 yrs
Density7,024/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,114
Per Capita$44,467
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty6.1%
County GDP$132,892M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$141,300
Rent$1,097
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent727/100K
Property2,943/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault638/100K
Burglary862/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.6 in/yr
Elevation934 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.0%
High School+97.1%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 60%
Commute28 min
Libraries72

Is Swissvale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Swissvale 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, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment. Swissvale offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Swissvale is $60,114, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Swissvale is $141,300, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,097 per month. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 727 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 2,943 per 100,000, 50% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Swissvale 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 40.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Swissvale has a population of 8,499 with a density of 7,024 people per square mile. The median age is 38.9 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.9%), with 27.5% Black.

Population

8,499
Total Population
7,024
People / sq mi
38.9yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Swissvale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.3%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.7%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Swissvale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Swissvale is $60,114, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Swissvale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,114
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,467
Avg Weekly Wage$1,506
IRS Avg AGI$94,625

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.1%
51% below US avg
Establishments (County)36,316
County GDP$132,892M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,345
Healthcare4,791
Retail3,982
Manufacturing940

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.5 min
Work from Home20.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Swissvale is $141,300, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,097 (6% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$141,300
50% below US avg
Median List Price$266,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$266,450
$/Sq Ft$131
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops15.2%
Inventory33

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,097
6% 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-Occupied46.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,851
153% above US avg
Effective Rate6.26%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.6%
Premature Death8,412/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access93.3%
Healthcare Facilities4,791
Swissvale has a violent crime rate of 727 per 100,000 residents, 91% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,943 per 100,000 (50% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent727.3/100K
91% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery89.5/100K
Assault637.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,942.8/100K
50% above US avg
Burglary861.6/100K
Theft1,857.5/100K
Vehicle Theft223.8/100K
Arson11.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Swissvale 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 40.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.6 inches
7% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation934 ft (285 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density7,024/sq mi
Coordinates40.4203°N, 79.8860°W
County FIPS42003
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 41.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 39.4%
D 59.7%

Winner: Democrat by 20.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.0%
22% above US avg
High School+97.1%
School Test Score5.95
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density7,024/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries72
Healthcare Facilities4,791
Restaurants3,345
Retail Stores3,982

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)83
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.5 min
Work from Home20.2%

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