HomePennsylvaniaElk County
Elk County, Pennsylvania: commercial real estate data.
Elk County, Pennsylvania had an estimated 30,124 residents on July 1, 2024, down 2.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 30,992, across 827 square miles. County output reached $1.83 bn in 2024, 898 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 22 7(a) approvals worth $10.5 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Elk County
How many people live in Elk County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202430,506
- Households13,325
- Average household size2.29
- Median household income$66,380
- Median age48.4
- Median gross rent$719 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$133,600
- Home value to household income2.0 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income13.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher20.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over22,648
- Population under 185,785
- Share under 1819.0 percent
- Population 65 and over7,366
- Share 65 and over24.1 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6417,355
- Civilian labor force15,443
- Unemployment rate5.7 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over62.5 percent
- Rank by population among Pennsylvania counties59th of 67
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1465th of 3,222
Elk County is the 59th largest of 67 Pennsylvania counties by population. A median home costs 2.0 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 24.1 percent against 19.0 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Elk County
Is Elk County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202430,124
- Census 2020 base population30,992
- Population change since the 2020 census base-2.80 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024-97
- Births, 2024238
- Deaths, 2024368
- Natural change, 2024-130
- Net domestic migration, 202411
- Net international migration, 202424
- Total net migration, 202435
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-168
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2701st of 3,144
The county has lost 2.80 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 by more than net migration added, so the population fell even though more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Elk County
Where are people moving to Elk County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving399
- People arriving, from those returns654
- Tax returns filed by households leaving381
- Net household movement18
- Adjusted gross income arriving$27.4 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$7.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$68,747
- Average income of a leaving household$51,798
- Largest single originClearfield County (49 households)
- Largest single destinationClearfield County (56 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearfield County | 49 | 88 | $2.1 m |
| Jefferson County | 45 | 76 | $2.0 m |
| McKean County | 25 | 41 | $1.0 m |
Households arriving report $16,949 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Clearfield County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Elk County
What is the Elk County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$1.83 bn
- County GDP, 2023$1.79 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20242.4 percent
- GDP change over five years27.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Pennsylvania areas BEA publishes57th of 67
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1356th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$59,989
Output grew 2.4 percent in the latest year and 27.7 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Elk County
Employment by industry in Elk County
- Covered employment, annual average13,348
- Establishments reporting960
- Average annual pay$52,545
- Average weekly wage$1,010
- Manufacturing, employment5,538
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$63,933
- Retail trade, employment1,261
- Retail trade, average annual pay$31,591
- Accommodation and food services, employment875
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$15,558
- Construction, employment495
- Construction, average annual pay$65,535
- Other services, except public administration, employment490
- Transportation and warehousing, employment426
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 5,538 | 140 | $63,933 |
| Retail trade | 1,261 | 101 | $31,591 |
| Accommodation and food services | 875 | 78 | $15,558 |
| Construction | 495 | 75 | $65,535 |
| Other services, except public administration | 490 | 91 | $23,173 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 426 | 38 | $60,513 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 285 | 43 | $44,608 |
| Finance and insurance | 203 | 37 | $73,160 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 5,538 jobs, 41.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Elk County
How many businesses are in Elk County?
- Establishments, all industries898
- Employment at those establishments12,841
- Annual payroll$666.4 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents29.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Elk County
Building permits in Elk County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202448
- Declared construction value permitted$11.4 m
- Single family units authorized44
- Multifamily units authorized4
- Multifamily share of units8.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$237,016
- Units authorized per 1,000 households3.6
Single-family homes are 91.7 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Elk County
SBA loans in Elk County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded22
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$10.5 m
- Average 7(a) approval$477,691
- Median 7(a) approval$216,250
- 10th percentile approval$50,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,501,050
- Largest single approval$2,090,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)274
- Jobs per approval12.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active8
- Distinct industries receiving approvals13
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer27.3 percent
- Loans on real estate terms6
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter13
- Franchise loans0
- Franchise share of approvals0.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countMachine Shops (5)
- Most active lenderFirst Commonwealth Bank (9)
- 504 approvals recorded2
- 504 gross approval dollars$3.9 m
- Average 504 approval$1,943,500
- Median 504 approval$1,943,500
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval6.5
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved3.3
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$14.4 m
The average approval of $477,691 sits well above the median of $216,250, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 27.3 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Elk County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Elk County
Do SBA loans in Elk County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded1
- Paid in full1
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure14
- Status: Paid in full1
- Status: Cancelled5
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed2
Only 1 loan has reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Elk County
SBA lending by place in Elk County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending6
- Ridgway, approvals7
- St. Marys, approvals7
- Kersey, approvals5
- Weedville, approvals1
- Dagus Mines, approvals1
- Johnsonburg, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgway | 7 | $3,232,000 |
| St. Marys | 7 | $2,662,700 |
| Kersey | 5 | $3,988,500 |
| Weedville | 1 | $321,500 |
| Dagus Mines | 1 | $232,500 |
| Johnsonburg | 1 | $72,000 |
Ridgway accounts for 7 approvals against 7 in St. Marys. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Elk County
How large is Elk County?
- Land area827 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Pennsylvania counties20th of 67
- Width, east to west44.5 mi
- Height, north to south29.6 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land37
- Establishments per square mile1.09
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Elk County
Flood risk in Elk County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book12
- Of those, participating in the NFIP12
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Elk County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The EPA places Elk County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Elk County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Elk County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202430,506
- Households13,325
- Average household size2.29
- Median household income$66,380
- Median age48.4
Common questions
Elk County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Elk County, Pennsylvania?
The Census Bureau estimates 30,124 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 30,506, in 13,325 households, ranking 59th of 67 Pennsylvania counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Elk County's population growing?
The population has fallen 2.80 percent since the 2020 census base of 30,992, to 30,124 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 238 births against 368 deaths, with net migration of 35. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Elk County?
$66,380. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $133,600, which is 2.0 times income, and median gross rent is $719 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Elk County?
898 establishments, employing 12,841 people with an annual payroll of $666.4 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Elk County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 5,538 jobs, 41.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 13,348 jobs at an average annual pay of $52,545, or $1,010 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Elk County?
22 7(a) approvals totaling $10.5 m since FY2020, across 8 lenders, with a median approval of $216,250, plus 2 504 approvals worth $3.9 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Elk County?
48 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $11.4 m. Multifamily was 8.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Elk County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Elk County come from?
The largest single origin is Clearfield County, with 49 households. Arriving households report an average income of $68,747 against $51,798 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Elk County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Elk County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Elk County
Cities and places in Elk.
9 Census places lie wholly or partly in Elk County. All 9 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | city | 12,529 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Ridgway | borough | 3,969 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Johnsonburg | borough | 2,424 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Kersey | CDP | 743 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Weedville | CDP | 523 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Byrnedale | CDP | 434 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Wilcox | CDP | 323 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Force | CDP | 226 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| James City | CDP | 174 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 22 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Elk County, the largest being Dagus Mines (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.