Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Downingtown, PA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

8,255

Median Agei

38.9

Race & Ethnicityi

White

61.1%5,046

Asian

15.3%1,263

Black

13%1,074

Hispanic/Latino

6.7%553

Two or More

3.7%306

Other

0.2%13

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.6%406

High School Diploma

20.6%1,273

Some College (<1 yr)

4.7%293

Some College (1+ yr)

10.6%655

Associate's Degree

5.4%336

Bachelor's Degree

36.2%2,234

Master's Degree

11.1%683

Professional Degree

1.6%96

Doctorate

0.4%25

HS or Higher

97.2%

BA or Higher

49.2%

Graduate+

13%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$353,800

Median Renti

$1,518

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

48%1,692

Renter-Occupied

52%1,834

Total Units

3,697

Homeownership

48%

Vacancy Rate

4.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.7%29

$50K–$100K

0.5%8

$150K–$200K

13.2%224

$200K–$300K

14.4%244

$300K–$500K

57.4%972

$500K–$1M

12.7%215

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

112

$1,000–$1,250

272

$1,250–$1,500

462

$1,500–$2,000

634

$2,000+

299

Year Built

2020 or later

8.4%311

2010–2019

1.9%70

2000–2009

12.1%447

1990–1999

2.6%96

1980–1989

8%295

1970–1979

13.7%507

1960–1969

15.2%561

1950–1959

11.3%418

1940–1949

5.5%203

1939 or earlier

21.3%789

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

45.8%1,616

Electricity

38.1%1,343

Fuel Oil

13.8%486

Bottled/LP Gas

1.9%66

Other

0.4%15

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$96,228

Mean Household Incomei

$114,721

Per Capita Incomei

$50,750

Poverty Ratei

5.6%

Unemploymenti

3.7%

Labor Forcei

5,255

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

177

Residentsi

200

Avg. Tenant Renti

$534/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

3 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers137 homes75% occupied$539/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 840 homes94% occupied$519/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $96,228/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $29K/yr

68.4%

Very low income$29K–$48K/yr

23.1%

Low income$48K–$77K/yr

8.5%

Who Receives This Housing

42.2% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

42.8% of subsidized households are minority

45.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

56.7% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

256(3.9% of civilian adults)