Total Population
The six-county region is currently home to 368,648 residents. Estimated population of the six counties has generally trended down, with the region as a whole losing about 7,206 residents from 2017 to 2022. During that time, the largest percentage decreases were in Union, Columbia, and Snyder Counties. When analyzing more recent trends since 2000, five of the six counties saw continued declines, though Union County saw a small increase (0.2 percent) compared to 2000.rnrnThe Commonwealth as a whole recorded a slightly growing population despite a small drop in 2022’s estimate. This means that the six-county region’s population as a percentage of the statewide total has declined slightly, from 2.9 percent to 2.8 percent over the time period analyzed.rn
Household Size
The average household size has fluctuated for the six counties in the region, as well as for Pennsylvania, since 2017. It had decreased every year since 2019 in Lycoming County while remaining steady in Montour County between 2020 and 2021. The average household size of Northumberland County remained at 2.24 between 2018 and 2020 but increased in 2021. In Snyder and Union Counties, the average household sizes have fluctuated, increasing in 2021. In Columbia County, the average household size steadily decreased until 2021. The state’s average household size has continued a slight declining trend. The average household sizes for Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, and Northumberland Counties remain below the statewide average of 2.4. In contrast, averages for Snyder County have typically fallen above the statewide rates. Union County’s average household size was slightly higher than the statewide rate in 2021.
Single Parent Families
The shares of all households that are single parent households with children under age 18 dropped in all geographies in 2019. However, this is due to a data classification change that now excludes unmarried couples with children from this category (for example, a mother or father who lives with their own children and an unmarried partner). The updated estimates provide a more accurate view of single parents raising children without another adult in the household. Nonetheless, with the exception of single parent households headed by men in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties and the exception of single parent households headed by women in Union County, the decline extended to 2021. Additionally, almost every county in the region has a lower total percentage of single parent households (both male-headed and female-headed) than the statewide total of 5.6 percent as of 2021. The exception is Montour County at 6.7 percent.rnrnAcross all geographies, 76.8 percent of single parent households are headed by women, with Lycoming County having a higher share of female-headed single parent households (87.8 percent) than Pennsylvania as a whole (79.9 percent). While not higher, 79.2 percent of single parent households were headed by women in Union County in 2021, which nearly matches the statewide share. Conversely, only Lycoming County has a lower share of male-headed single parent households (12.2 percent) than Pennsylvania as a whole (20.1 percent).rn
Ratio of Children to Adults
The ratio of children to adults is one measure of the population dynamics of a region. A ratio of children to adults below 1.0 suggests that the replacement rate to maintain a steady population is not being met (before accounting for the effects of migration). However, a falling ratio can also indicate that adults are living longer into advanced age. The ratios of children to seniors have decreased from 2010 to 2021 in all areas but Lycoming County, which has remained stable. In 2021, only Northumberland County saw a decrease in its ratio of children to adults from the prior year. All other counties remained consistent in their ratios. The statewide ratio has declined since 2010, but not between 2017 and 2021.
Population Age
As of 2021, most of the six-county region’s population ranges in age from 25 years to 54 years, with a considerable share between 65 and 74 years as well. The smallest shares of the population are 85 years and over, and under five years. The six-county average of the median age is 41.7 years, which is slightly higher than the median age of Pennsylvania (40.8 years). It should be noted that the population totals of the following table are different from those of the previous table because American Community Survey Estimates have a greater level of detail in age-related data, whereas U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates have the most accurate data for population totals of small geographies.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Most residents of the six-county region are white (89.8 percent). The proportions of Black or African American residents (3.4 percent), Asian residents (1.1 percent) and residents who identify as “Other” or two or more races (1.3 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively) are significantly lower in this region compared to Pennsylvania’s overall proportions. The overall percentage of Hispanic or Latino residents in the region (3.3 percent) is also notably lower than the statewide percentage (8.1 percent).
Among those who identify as nonwhite and Hispanic or Latino, the largest percentages reside in Union County (12.9 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively). Snyder County is least diverse by both measures, though Lycoming County’s share of Hispanic or Latino residents matches Snyder County’s 2.3 percent. The amounts of nonwhite and Hispanic or Latino residents in each county have increased since 2019.
Language Diversity
Not surprisingly, Union County also has the highest percentage of residents who speak a language other than English in the six-county region (10.7 percent). This total is an 8.1 percent increase from the previous year, the largest increase in terms of residents who speak a language other than English in the six counties. Lycoming and Montour Counties also experienced an increase in their percentage of residents who speak a language other than English, but at smaller scales (5.7 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively). In contrast, Columbia, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties saw a decrease in their percentage of residents who speak a language other than English (-6.7 percent, -2.9 percent, and -9.5 percent, respectively).
Migration Trends
Overall, the region has experienced a net loss in terms of migration (-3,560 residents). However, in 2019-2020, the region experienced net gain for the first time in observed years (134 residents).rnrn
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