Lancaster, PA Demographics

A map of Lancaster's Population by Race

Lancaster, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 57,719, a less than 1% change from the 58,039 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 40.6% Hispanic, 39.7% White, 12.0% Black, 4.0% Multiracial, 2.9% Asian, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Lancaster, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Lancaster has become slightly 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 Lancaster, that probability was 66.7% in 2020 and 66.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Lancaster is ranked the 8th 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). Lancaster was ranked the 8th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Lancaster's White Population

22,886 residents of Lancaster, or 39.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Lancaster is significantly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Lancaster ranks 1856th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lancaster's White population has grown by an estimated 1.0%. White residents' share of Lancaster's population has increased from 39.0% to 39.7%.

Lancaster is less White than neighboring Millersville (75.2% White), Willow Street (81.9% White), East Petersburg (78.8% White), Lampeter (86% White), and Witmer (100% White).

Lancaster's Black Population

6,922 residents of Lancaster, or 12.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Lancaster is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Lancaster ranks 121st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lancaster's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.9%. Black residents' share of Lancaster's population has decreased from 12.7% to 12.0%.

Lancaster is more Black than neighboring Millersville (4% Black), Willow Street (2.3% Black), East Petersburg (0% Black), Lampeter (1% Black), and Witmer (0% Black).

Lancaster's Asian Population

1,697 residents of Lancaster, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Lancaster is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Lancaster ranks 152nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lancaster's Asian population has declined by an estimated 23.5%. Asian residents' share of Lancaster's population has decreased from 3.8% to 2.9%.

Lancaster is more Asian than neighboring Willow Street (2.7% Asian), East Petersburg (1.7% Asian), and Witmer (0% Asian). Lancaster is less Asian than neighboring Millersville (4.1% Asian), and Lampeter (7.4% Asian).

Lancaster's Hispanic Population

23,424 residents of Lancaster, or 40.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Lancaster is significantly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Lancaster ranks 13th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lancaster's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Lancaster's population has remained roughly unchanged at 40.6%.

Lancaster is more Hispanic than neighboring Millersville (12.9% Hispanic), Willow Street (7.6% Hispanic), East Petersburg (9% Hispanic), Lampeter (4.1% Hispanic), and Witmer (0% Hispanic).

Lancaster's Native American/Other Population

464 residents of Lancaster, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Lancaster is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Lancaster ranks 465th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lancaster's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 23.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Lancaster's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Lancaster is more Native American/Other than neighboring Millersville (0.1% Native American/Other), Lampeter (0% Native American/Other), and Witmer (0% Native American/Other). Lancaster is less Native American/Other than neighboring Willow Street (3.5% Native American/Other), and East Petersburg (1% Native American/Other).

Lancaster's Multiracial Population

2,326 residents of Lancaster, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Lancaster is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Lancaster ranks 796th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 2,002 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Lancaster's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 11.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Lancaster's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.0%.

Lancaster is more Multiracial than neighboring Millersville (3.7% Multiracial), Willow Street (1.9% Multiracial), Lampeter (1.6% Multiracial), and Witmer (0% Multiracial). Lancaster is less Multiracial than neighboring East Petersburg (9.4% 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.