Allentown, Pennsylvania Income Statistics
Allentown Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
Allentown Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Allentown | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,273 | $78,249 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $43,558 | $62,573 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.0% | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.2% | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 3.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Allentown is about 29% lower than in Pennsylvania. Income has been growing faster in Allentown (5.0%/yr) than in Pennsylvania (4.4%/yr).
About 4% of adults in Allentown earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Pennsylvania average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Allentown, Pennsylvania grew by 50.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $55,273 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.0% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Allentown
| Metric | Allentown | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.536 | 0.537 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $50,233 | $71,585 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $42,235 | $57,854 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 15.9% | 19.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Allentown, it is 0.536, about the same as Pennsylvania's 0.537, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 19% more than women's income in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $279,930 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Allentown, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 21% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 22% in 2011, and was narrowest at 14% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $271 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Allentown | Pennsylvania Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.0% | 15.6% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 5,602 people are unemployed in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The average commute time in Allentown is 21 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Allentown, Pennsylvania has fallen from 13.5% to 9.0% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 15.4% in 2013 and fell as low as 8.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Allentown, Pennsylvania has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Pennsylvania, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
How Wealthy Is Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Allentown has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $55,273, about 29% lower than the Pennsylvania average of $78,249.
How has median household income changed in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Allentown, Pennsylvania rose 51%, from $36,647 to $55,273. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Pennsylvania as a whole: +51% against +57%.
What was the median household income in Allentown in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Allentown, Pennsylvania was $52,658, about the same as in 2022. The Pennsylvania median that year was $76,230.
What was the median household income in Allentown in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Allentown, Pennsylvania was $44,017. By 2024 it had risen 26% to $55,273.
Is unemployment high in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Unemployment in Allentown, Pennsylvania is 9.0%, well above the Pennsylvania rate of 5.2%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
The Gini coefficient in Allentown is 0.536. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Allentown, Pennsylvania?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Allentown, Pennsylvania has narrowed from about 21% to 16% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 22% in 2011, and was narrowest at 14% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $271 since 2009.
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