Economic Opportunity

What is the median household income?

The median household income in Meadville is $34,826 (1) which is 36.5% lower than the Pennsylvania median household income of $54,895(2), and 37% lower than the national median household income of $55,322 (3).

What is the poverty rate in Meadville?

The poverty rate in Meadville is higher than state and national averages.

Table 1. Poverty rates (1)(2)(3) where poverty is defined as income below approximately $12,500 for a one person household, $15,900 for a two person household, $19,500 for a three person household, $25,000 for a four person household, etc.) (4)

What is the unemployment rate?

The unemployment rate in in January 2018 was 5.5% in Crawford County compared to 4.8% in the state of Pennsylvania and 4.1% nationwide (5).

What shelter and support is available for those experiencing homelessness?

Shelter for those experiencing temporary or long-term homelessness in Meadville is limited and insufficient compared to the need (6)

• Women's Services - 18 person capacity (women and children) shelter
• St. James Haven - 6 person capacity (men)
• CHAPS programs support individuals in accessing and retaining safe, affordable housing
• Crawford County Coalition on Housing Needs has an emergency shelter with a five family capacity, Liberty House transitional housing with a six family capacity, 5 affordable rental apartments at South Main Place, 11 affordable rental apartments at the downtown Snodgrass Building, 4 affordable rental homes on Poplar Street, 1 affordable rental home on Shrubo Drive

What is the general current status of Meadville's economy?

• The median household income in Meadville is $34,826 (1) which is 36.5% lower than the Pennsylvania median household income of $54,895(2), and 37% lower than the national median household income of $55,322 (3).
• 24.4% of Meadville's population lives below the poverty line according to US Census Bureau 2017 (4)

What does current employment look like?

• The unemployment rate in January 2018 was 5.5% in Crawford County compared to 4.8% in the state of Pennsylvania and 4.1% nationwide (5).
• The top employers in Crawford County are the Meadville Medical Center, state government, Crawford County government, Walmart, and the Crawford Central school district. (6)
• The chart below highlights average salaries by industry. The disparities between salaries in leading industries in Meadville are notable. Salaries in manufacturing, health care, social services, and public administration represent more of a living wage than those in retail and food services. (7)

Table 1. Average salaries by industry (7)

What is the cost of living in Meadville?

The general cost of living in Meadville is 5% lower than the United states *not accounting for differences in income.

What do citizens spend on rent and housing mortgages?

• 12.8% more Meadville housing units are renter-occupied compared to owner-occupied. The renter-occupied rate is 20% higher than the national rate.
• The median value of owner occupied homes in Meadville is 41% lower than the Pennsylania value and 47% lower than the national value of $184,700.
• Rental costs in Meadville are lower than county, state or nation-wide averages.
• The monthly owner costs with a mortgage in Meadville is about 40% of monthly household income compared to about 30% in Pennsylvania and 26% nationally

Table 2. Housing Characteristics (8)(9)(10)(11)

1. Meadville city, Pennsylvania Selected Economic Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP03/1600000US4248360
2. Pennsylvania Selected Economic Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP03/0400000US42
3. United States Selected Economic Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/B17020/0100000US
4. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/meadville-pa/
5. http://www.workstats.dli.pa.gov/dashboards/Pages/Labor-Stats.aspx
6. http://www.meadvilletribune.com/archives/sunday-issue-helping-crawford-county-s-homeless/article_434e65f1-5b4a-5543-8de4-d814e37f4085.html

1. Meadville city, Pennsylvania Selected Economic Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP03/1600000US4248360
2. Pennsylvania Selected Economic Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP03/0400000US42
3. United States Selected Economic Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/B17020/0100000US
4. United States Census Bureau (2016) Quick Facts Meadville City Pennsylvania, US Department of Commerce. Retrieved from; https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/meadvillecitypennsylvania/PST040217
5. http://www.workstats.dli.pa.gov/dashboards/Pages/Labor-Stats.aspx
6. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. “Crawford County Top 50 Employers .”Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Center for Workforce Information and Analysis , Dec. 2017, pp. 1–2. Retrieved from; http://www.workstats.dli.pa.gov/Documents/Top%2050/Crawford_County_Top_50.pdf
7. Sperlings Best Places (2018) Info on Cost of Living, Schools, Crime Rates, House Prices, and More. Meadville PA zip 16335. retrieved from; https://www.bestplaces.net/jobs/zip-code/pennsylvania/meadville/16335
8. Meadville City, Pennsylvania Selected Housing Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP04/1600000US4248360
9. Crawford County, Pennsylvania Selected Housing Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP04/0500000US42039
10. Pennsylvania Selected Housing Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP04/0400000US42
11. Unites States Selected Housing Characteristics 2016: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP04/0100000US