In 2023, 12 percent of Pennsylvania's population lived below the poverty line. This figure is a slight increase from the previous year, when 11.8 percent of the state's population lived in poverty. The state experienced a poverty level peak of 13.8 percent in 2011. The poverty rate of the United States can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Pennsylvania (PPAAPA42000A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about child, PA, poverty, percent, and USA.

In Pennsylvania, the poverty rate is 11.8% and the uninsured rate is 5.6%. Percent of people below the federal poverty line and the share without health insurance. Source: ACS 5-year estimates (derived).

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Bucks County, PA (S1701ACS042017) from 2012 to 2023 about Bucks County, PA; Philadelphia; PA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Cameron County, PA (S1701ACS042023) from 2012 to 2023 about Cameron County, PA; PA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

In 2021, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the city with the highest poverty rate of the United States' most populated cities. In this statistic, the cities are sorted by poverty rate, not population. The most populated city in 2021 according to the source was New York city - which had a poverty rate of 18 percent.

Pennsylvania - Poverty Rate - Historical chart and current data through 2023.

12.80 (%) in 2018.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Montgomery County, PA (S1701ACS042091) from 2012 to 2023 about Montgomery County, PA; Philadelphia; poverty; PA; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Panama PA: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data was reported at 22.100 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 23.000 % for 2015. Panama PA: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 26.500 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2016, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.800 % in 2008 and a record low of 22.100 % in 2016. Panama PA: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Panama – Table PA.World Bank: Poverty. National poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty lines. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Philadelphia County/city, PA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Philadelphia County, PA was 22.00% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Philadelphia County/city, PA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Philadelphia County, PA reached a record high of 26.70 in January of 2014 and a record low of 22.00 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Philadelphia County/city, PA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Philadelphia County, PA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

This dataset lists census tracts that were identified as high poverty, low opportunity areas according to PA 23-205 Section 101. "High poverty, low opportunity areas" mean a census tract in the state where thirty percent or more of the residents have incomes below the federal poverty level, according to the 2021 five-year United States Census Bureau American Community Survey. The 2021 ACS estimates were used to identify these tracts.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in McKean County, PA was 13.70% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in McKean County, PA reached a record high of 17.30 in January of 2017 and a record low of 13.70 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in McKean County, PA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lehigh County, PA (S1701ACS042077) from 2012 to 2023 about Lehigh County, PA; Allentown; PA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Susquehanna County, PA was 10.90% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Susquehanna County, PA reached a record high of 13.00 in January of 2015 and a record low of 10.90 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Susquehanna County, PA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Pike County, PA was 9.30% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Pike County, PA reached a record high of 10.20 in January of 2016 and a record low of 9.10 in January of 2013. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Pike County, PA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Luzerne County, PA (S1701ACS042079) from 2012 to 2023 about Luzerne County, PA; Scranton; PA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fayette County, PA was 17.40% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fayette County, PA reached a record high of 19.30 in January of 2015 and a record low of 16.10 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fayette County, PA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Panama PA: Increase in Poverty Gap at $3.10: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % of Poverty Line data was reported at 0.028 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.440 % for 1997. Panama PA: Increase in Poverty Gap at $3.10: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % of Poverty Line data is updated yearly, averaging 0.234 % from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2008, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.440 % in 1997 and a record low of 0.028 % in 2008. Panama PA: Increase in Poverty Gap at $3.10: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % of Poverty Line data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Panama – Table PA.World Bank: Poverty. Increase in poverty gap at $3.10 ($ 2011 PPP) poverty line due to out-of-pocket health care expenditure, as a percentage of the $1.90 poverty line; ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on Impoverishing Health Spending: Results for 122 Countries. A Retrospective Observational Study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Weighted average;

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Mifflin County, PA (S1701ACS042087) from 2012 to 2023 about Mifflin County, PA; PA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.