Skip to main content

Erie, Pennsylvania

Know what your Erie home is really worth

Data-driven estimates for Erie — with the methodology behind every number.

Erie market snapshot

Median Sale Price
$430K
Median Days on Market
8 days
Active Listings
4

RentCast market data · Erie County County, Pennsylvania

About Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the fifth-most populous city in Pennsylvania and the most populous in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 92,940 as of 2024 census estimates. The Erie metropolitan area had a population of 270,876 in 2020. Erie is about 80 miles (130 km) from Buffalo, 90 miles (140 km) from Cleveland, and 120 miles (190 km) from Pittsburgh.

The city takes its name from the Native American Erie people, who inhabited the area until the mid-17th century. Its nicknames include "Gem City", a reference to its fine natural harbor, the "Gem of the Great Lakes"; and more recently, "Flagship City", from a local marketing effort to play up the homeport of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara.

Part of the Rust Belt, Erie has seen manufacturing decline as a share of its economy, while insurance, healthcare, higher education, technology, service industries, and tourism have grown. Like the other Great Lakes port cities, Erie is accessible to the oceans via the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River network in Canada. The local climate is humid, four-seasonal, and snowy, with warm summers and harsh winters, owing to its southern lakeshore location.

Erie by the numbers

Population 94,156 · Median age 34.9 yrs · Census ACS 2023

Median household income

Erie's median household income of $43,397 compares to $76,081 statewide and $78,538 nationally, per Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.

Median age (years)

The median age in Erie is 34.9 yrs, compared to 40.9 yrs for Pennsylvania and 38.7 yrs nationally.

Gender split

Erie is 49.5% male and 50.5% female, per Census ACS estimates.

Population trend — Erie

Erie's population declined 3.2% from 2019 to 2023, per Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.

Erie economy

Erie is Pennsylvania's primary access point to Lake Erie, the Great Lakes, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The city emerged as a maritime center after the American Revolution and later became a railroad hub during the significant American westward expansion. Erie became an important city for iron and steel manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution and thrived well into the 20th century with firms such as Griswold Manufacturing, once the leader in cast-iron cookware. Since the decline of large manufacturers in the late 20th century, a more diverse mix of mid-sized industries has emerged. This broader economic base includes smaller and more agile steel and plastic plants (with about 10% of tooling and molding located in the tri-state area) and vigorous service sectors: health, insurance, and tourism. The ZIP code 16501, which covers some of the downtown areas, is considered one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country. Erie is the corporate headquarters of the Erie Insurance Group and Marquette Savings Bank. Lord Corporation was founded and has significant operations in Erie. Along with WABTEC and Erie Insurance, major employers in the county include the county, state, and federal governments, as well as the Erie City School District.

Source: Wikipedia article on Erie under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Erie real estate — frequently asked questions

What is the median home price in Erie?
The median home sale price in Erie, PA is $430,000, based on the most recent available sales data.
How long do homes stay on the market in Erie?
Homes in Erie sell in a median of 8 days.
What is the cost of living like in Erie?
Erie has a median household income of $43,397, per U.S. Census Bureau ACS estimates.
Who lives in Erie?
Erie has a population of 94,156 with a median age of 34.9 years, per U.S. Census Bureau ACS estimates.
How do I sell my home in Erie?
Start with a free, no-obligation home value estimate. Enter your address above and we'll connect you with a licensed local real-estate professional familiar with the Erie market within 24 hours.

How it works

  1. 1

    Enter your address

    We pull public records and comparable sales for your Erie property in seconds.

  2. 2

    See the math

    Three data-driven estimates — low, mid, and high — with the market context behind them.

  3. 3

    Connect with an expert

    A licensed Pennsylvania real-estate professional reaches out within 24 hours.

More cities in Pennsylvania

Free — No obligation

Curious what your Erie home would sell for today?

Free, no-obligation estimate based on recent Erie, Pennsylvania comparable sales.

Get your free estimate

Licensed real-estate professional responds within 24 hours.

ForSaleAmerica.com is an online marketplace and is not a real estate brokerage in Pennsylvania. Property valuations shown are automated estimates based on public data and are not appraisals, comparative market analyses, or guarantees of sale price. We connect homeowners with top local agents and partners — we do not represent buyers or sellers.