Erie, PA Demographics

A map of Erie's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	61,692	60,541	65.7%	63.8%
Black	15,252	16,419	16.3%	17.3%
Hispanic	8,097	8,106	8.6%	8.5%
Multiracial	5,651	5,442	6.0%	5.7%
Asian	2,586	3,548	2.8%	3.7%
Native American/Other	572	775	0.6%	0.8%

Erie, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 93,850, a slight decrease from the 94,831 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.7% White, 16.3% Black, 8.6% Hispanic, 6.0% Multiracial, 2.8% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Erie, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Erie has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Erie, that probability was 55.0% in 2020 and 53.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Erie is ranked the 5th 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). Erie was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Erie's White Population

61,692 residents of Erie, or 65.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Erie is lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Erie ranks 1768th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Erie's White population has grown by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of Erie's population has increased from 63.8% to 65.7%.

Erie is less White than neighboring Lawrence Park (82.1% White), Wesleyville (89.3% White), Northwest Harborcreek (91% White), Penn State Erie (Behrend) (76.9% White), and McKean (94.3% White).

Erie's Black Population

15,252 residents of Erie, or 16.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Erie is higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Erie ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Erie's Black population has declined by an estimated 7.1%. Black residents' share of Erie's population has decreased from 17.3% to 16.3%.

Erie is more Black than neighboring Lawrence Park (10.6% Black), Wesleyville (0.9% Black), Northwest Harborcreek (1.1% Black), Penn State Erie (Behrend) (9% Black), and McKean (1.4% Black).

Erie's Asian Population

2,586 residents of Erie, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Erie is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Erie ranks 157th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Erie's Asian population has declined by an estimated 27.1%. Asian residents' share of Erie's population has decreased from 3.7% to 2.8%.

Erie is more Asian than neighboring Lawrence Park (0.6% Asian), Wesleyville (0.5% Asian), and McKean (0% Asian). Erie is less Asian than neighboring Northwest Harborcreek (3.2% Asian), and Penn State Erie (Behrend) (8.9% Asian).

Erie's Hispanic Population

8,097 residents of Erie, or 8.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Erie is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Erie ranks 225th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Erie's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Erie's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.6%.

Erie is more Hispanic than neighboring Lawrence Park (0.3% Hispanic), Wesleyville (4.7% Hispanic), Northwest Harborcreek (2.9% Hispanic), Penn State Erie (Behrend) (4.7% Hispanic), and McKean (0.9% Hispanic).

Erie's Native American/Other Population

572 residents of Erie, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Erie is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Erie ranks 279th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Erie's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 26.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Erie's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Erie is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lawrence Park (0% Native American/Other), Wesleyville (0% Native American/Other), Northwest Harborcreek (0% Native American/Other), Penn State Erie (Behrend) (0% Native American/Other), and McKean (0% Native American/Other).

Erie's Multiracial Population

5,651 residents of Erie, or 6.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Erie is slightly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Erie ranks 174th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Erie's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 3.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Erie's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.0%.

Erie is more Multiracial than neighboring Wesleyville (4.6% Multiracial), Northwest Harborcreek (1.8% Multiracial), Penn State Erie (Behrend) (0.5% Multiracial), and McKean (3.4% Multiracial). Erie is less Multiracial than neighboring Lawrence Park (6.5% 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.