The 2020 Decennial Census for Chester County
Updated November 3, 2021
Every ten years the federal government conducts a "decennial" census in which each person in America is counted or "enumerated." On September 16, 2021, the U. S. Census Bureau released local level data from the 2020 Census, as detailed at the Census Bureau's website. The Census Bureau posted this data at data.census.gov.
Planning commission staff extracted the 2020 Census Data relating to Chester County's 73 municipalities and formatted it in an easy-to-use Excel format. These data provide municipal-level data addressing total population, age, housing units, population density, group quarters (such as nursing facilities and university dorms), race, and Hispanic or Latino populations. A downloadable file of all this data is available in an Excel spreadsheet.
The Census Bureau has also created a web page entitled Infographics and Visualizations which includes maps and charts illustrating the 2020 census results. One of these maps is the 2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer, which provides selected data about counties and census block groups nationwide. Another useful map provides 2020 State and County population and housing data.
Although data for the 2020 Decennial Census was gathered during the height of the 2020 COVID pandemic, the response rate of Chester County residents who filled out the form was somewhat greater than in 2010. The nation-wide 2020 census response rate was 67.0% while Pennsylvania's response rate was 69.6%. Chester County's response rate was 78.3% which exceeded the 2010 response rate of 75.6%.
The 2010 Decennial Census for Chester County
Every ten years the federal government conducts a "decennial" census in which each person in America is counted or "enumerated."
- View a brief summary of the 2000 and 2010 Census for Chester County and its municipalities.
- View a brief summary of the 2000 and 2010 Census listing of the most populous counties on Pennsylvania. Chester County is within the top ten counties.
You can view and download a pdf of a one page report (called a "Data Profile") for Chester County and each of its 73 municipalities by selecting the municipality's name in the box below. The information on these data profile sheets covers Total Population, Age, Sex, Race, Hispanic or Latino, Households, and Housing.
2010 Census Data Profile Sheets
Download an Excel Spreadsheet of the 2010 Census Data Profiles for Chester County and each of its 73 municipalities.
Download the entire 259-page Pennsylvania: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts (August 2012).
Census information focusing on Pennsylvania is also available from the Pennsylvania State Data Center. Visit the webpage.
The 2000 Decennial Census for Chester County
You can view and download a pdf of the 2000 Data Profiles for Chester County and each of its 73 municipalities by clicking on the bullets listed below:
- Chester County Total and Atglen Borough through East Coventry Township
- East Coventry Township through Malvern Borough
- Malvern Borough through South Coventry Township
- Spring City through Willistown Township
Current Census Estimates: The American Community Survey (ACS)
Every year, the Census Bureau sends out over 3 million surveys which include more detailed questions then are asked on the decennial Census. These surveys are mailed out as part of the American Community Survey (ACS). Learn more.
The ACS compiles the yearly survey results to generate "estimates" of the current population, and other demographic features. Learn more.
These "estimates" are not "enumerated" or counted. Rather they are statistically estimated, and presented in two ways:
1. Single-Year Estimates
Each year, the ACS produces 1-year estimates annually for geographic areas with a population of 65,000 or more. This includes the nation, all states, all congressional districts, approximately 800 counties, and many metropolitan areas. These 1-year ACS estimates are not generated for most of the municipalities in Chester County.
You can find county-level information from the most recent 1-year ACS estimates by clicking on the four topics listed below.
Please note: The Census Bureau is updating its web page infrastructure during the summer and fall of 2019. Some browsers my not be compatible during this update process and/or you may encounter broken links.
- Demographic and Housing Estimates for Chester County such as Age and Sex, Race, Hispanic or Latino and Race.
- Housing Characteristics for Chester County such as Housing Occupancy, Units in Structure, Year Built, Rooms, Bedrooms, Housing Tenure, Vehicles Available, Heating Fuels, Value Mortgage Status, Owner Costs, and Rent.
- Social Characteristics for Chester County such as Household Type, Relationship, Marital Status, Fertility, School Enrollment, Educational, Veteran Status, Residence, Citizen Status, Languages Spoken, and Ancestry.
- Economic Characteristics for Chester County such as Employment Status, Commuting to Work, Occupation, Industry, Class of Worker, Income and Benefits, Health Insurance, and Families and People below the Poverty Level.
2. Multiyear Estimates
The ACS produces 5-year estimates annually for geographic areas with large and small populations, including the 73 municipalities in Chester County. These 5-year estimates represent a compilation of data gathered over a five year period. Thus, the 2010 5-year estimates were based in ACS data collected from 2005 through 2009. Note that the 5-year estimates are not simply averages of the 1-year estimates.
You can find information from the most recent 5-year ACS estimates for Chester County and its 73 Municipalities using the boxes below.
Please note: The Census Bureau is updating its web page infrastructure during the summer and fall of 2019. Some browsers my not be compatible during this update process and/or you may encounter broken links.
- Demographic and Housing Estimates for Chester County and its 73 Municipalities, such as Age and Sex, Race, Hispanic or Latino and Race.
- Housing Characteristics for Chester County and its 73 Municipalities, such as Housing Occupancy, Units in Structure, Year Built, Rooms, Bedrooms, Housing Tenure, Vehicles Available, Heating Fuels, Value Mortgage Status, Owner Costs, and Rent.
- Social Characteristics for Chester County and its 73 Municipalities, such as Household Type, Relationship, Marital Status, Fertility, School Enrollment, Educational, Veteran Status, Residence, Citizen Status, Languages Spoken, Ancestry.
- Economic Characteristics for Chester County and its 73 Municipalities, such as Employment Status, Commuting to Work, Occupation, Industry, Class of Worker, Income and Benefits, Health Insurance, Families and People below the Poverty Level.
Past Population Trends and Future Projections
The following tables are downloadable as Excel spreadsheets.
- Population trends for 1930-2010 for Chester County and its 73 municipalities.
- Population estimates for 2011 up through the most recent year generated by the Pennsylvania State Data Center (PASDC) for all counties and municipalities in Pennsylvania.
- Population projections for 2020 through 2045 for Chester County and its 73 municipalities.
Estimated Population Percent Change
Download an Excel file of PASDC's 2011 through 2014 population estimates for only Chester County and its 73 municipalities.