Elk County Demographics

A map of Elk County's Population by Race

Elk County, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 30,506, a slight decrease from the 30,990 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.5% White, 3.4% Multiracial, 1.0% Hispanic, 0.6% Black, 0.4% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Elk County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Elk has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less 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 Elk County, that probability was 9.5% in 2020 and 10.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Elk County is ranked the 59th most populous county in Pennsylvania, out of 67 counties. Elk County was ranked the 59th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Elk County's White Population

28,831 residents of Elk County, or 94.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Elk County is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Elk County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. White residents' share of Elk County's population has decreased from 95.1% to 94.5%.

Elk County is more White than neighboring McKean County (91.7% White), Cameron County (92.4% White), Clearfield County (92% White), and Forest County (78.3% White). Elk County is less White than neighboring Jefferson County (95.5% White).

Elk County's Black Population

184 residents of Elk County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Elk County is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Elk County ranks 67th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Black population has grown by an estimated 148.6%. Black residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Elk County is more Black than neighboring Cameron County (0.1% Black), and Jefferson County (0.3% Black). Elk County is less Black than neighboring McKean County (2.1% Black), Clearfield County (1.9% Black), and Forest County (13.7% Black).

Elk County's Asian Population

130 residents of Elk County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Elk County is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Elk County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 15.0%. Asian residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Elk County is more Asian than neighboring Jefferson County (0.3% Asian). Elk County is less Asian than neighboring McKean County (0.7% Asian), Cameron County (0.5% Asian), and Clearfield County (0.6% Asian).

Elk County's Hispanic Population

314 residents of Elk County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Elk County is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Elk County ranks 65th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Elk County is more Hispanic than neighboring Cameron County (0.7% Hispanic). Elk County is less Hispanic than neighboring McKean County (2% Hispanic), Clearfield County (3% Hispanic), and Forest County (5.1% Hispanic).

Elk County's Native American/Other Population

5 residents of Elk County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Elk County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Elk County ranks 66th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 93.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Elk County is less Native American/Other than neighboring McKean County (0.4% Native American/Other), Cameron County (1% Native American/Other), Jefferson County (0.4% Native American/Other), Clearfield County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Forest County (0.4% Native American/Other).

Elk County's Multiracial Population

1,042 residents of Elk County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Elk County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Elk County ranks 41st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Elk County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 7.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Elk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Elk County is more Multiracial than neighboring McKean County (3.1% Multiracial), Jefferson County (2.6% Multiracial), Clearfield County (2.3% Multiracial), and Forest County (2% Multiracial). Elk County is less Multiracial than neighboring Cameron County (5.4% 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.