Chester, PA Demographics

A map of Chester's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	23,697	22,560	70.5%	69.2%
White	4,475	4,527	13.3%	13.9%
Hispanic	3,730	4,052	11.1%	12.4%
Multiracial	952	1,038	2.8%	3.2%
Native American/Other	499	201	1.5%	0.6%
Asian	266	227	0.8%	0.7%

Chester, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 33,619, an increase from the 32,605 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.5% Black, 13.3% White, 11.1% Hispanic, 2.8% Multiracial, 1.5% Native American/Other, and 0.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Chester, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Chester has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Pennsylvania overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Chester, that probability was 48.5% in 2020 and 47.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Chester is ranked the 16th most populous place in Pennsylvania, out of 2,002 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Chester was ranked the 17th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Chester's White Population

4,475 residents of Chester, or 13.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Chester is significantly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Chester ranks 1883rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's White population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Chester's population has decreased from 13.9% to 13.3%.

Chester is less White than neighboring Upland (51.6% White), Parkside (65.7% White), Brookhaven (88.5% White), Trainer (40.8% White), and Eddystone (65.6% White).

Chester's Black Population

23,697 residents of Chester, or 70.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Chester is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Chester ranks 7th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Black population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. Black residents' share of Chester's population has increased from 69.2% to 70.5%.

Chester is more Black than neighboring Upland (42.3% Black), Parkside (14.5% Black), Brookhaven (6.3% Black), Trainer (30.5% Black), and Eddystone (19.8% Black).

Chester's Asian Population

266 residents of Chester, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Chester is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Chester ranks 776th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Asian population has grown by an estimated 17.2%. Asian residents' share of Chester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Chester is more Asian than neighboring Upland (0% Asian), Brookhaven (0.3% Asian), Trainer (0.7% Asian), and Eddystone (0.2% Asian). Chester is less Asian than neighboring Parkside (5% Asian).

Chester's Hispanic Population

3,730 residents of Chester, or 11.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Chester is slightly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Chester ranks 126th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 7.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Chester's population has decreased from 12.4% to 11.1%.

Chester is more Hispanic than neighboring Upland (4.1% Hispanic), Parkside (8.4% Hispanic), Brookhaven (2% Hispanic), Trainer (7.2% Hispanic), and Eddystone (10.9% Hispanic).

Chester's Native American/Other Population

499 residents of Chester, or 1.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Chester is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Chester ranks 492nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 148.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Chester's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.5%.

Chester is more Native American/Other than neighboring Upland (0% Native American/Other), Parkside (0% Native American/Other), Brookhaven (0% Native American/Other), and Eddystone (0% Native American/Other). Chester is less Native American/Other than neighboring Trainer (14.2% Native American/Other).

Chester's Multiracial Population

952 residents of Chester, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Chester is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Chester ranks 1036th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Chester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Chester is more Multiracial than neighboring Upland (2.1% Multiracial). Chester is less Multiracial than neighboring Parkside (6.3% Multiracial), Trainer (6.6% Multiracial), and Eddystone (3.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.