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Top 10 Pennsylvania Cities with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job but love your hometown, you may be considering a job change without relocating. Understanding the employment landscape in your area is crucial. In this article, we highlight the Pennsylvania cities with the strongest job markets, featuring the lowest unemployment rates.
Many individuals choose to settle in a location based on job opportunities, but if you’re contemplating a move to Pennsylvania—whether for personal or professional reasons—it’s essential to evaluate the robustness of the local job market.
To identify which cities in Pennsylvania boast the lowest unemployment rates, we utilized demographic data from the latest American Community Survey. We focused on cities with a population over 10,000 to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Here are the top contenders:
- St. Marys
- Franklin Park(Jobs)
- Emmaus(Jobs)
- Elizabet
- Wyomissing(Jobs)
- Hermitage(Jobs)
- Whitehall(Jobs)
- Plum(Jobs)
- Kingston(Jobs)
- Jefferson Hills(Jobs)
For employers, a low unemployment rate is a positive sign of a community’s economic health. St. Marys stands out as the city in Pennsylvania with the lowest unemployment rate, making it an attractive option for job seekers and businesses alike.
Explore more insights to help you gauge Pennsylvania’s job market:
- Search For Jobs In Pennsylvania
- Highest Paying Jobs in Pennsylvania
- Fastest Growing Jobs in Pennsylvania
Methodology for Identifying Cities with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To pinpoint Pennsylvania’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 10,000. This analysis included 65 cities statewide.
Utilizing the latest American Community Survey data, we ranked these cities based on their unemployment rates, identifying the top performers. A lower unemployment rate indicates a healthier job market, beneficial for both job seekers and those considering relocating for work.
Our ranking system prioritized cities based on their unemployment rates, with ties going to the larger city. If your preferred city isn’t listed among the top ten, refer to the detailed chart at the end of the article for additional insights.
1. St. Marys
Population: 12,940
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
St. Marys tops our list with an impressive unemployment rate of 3.8%, marking it as the most favorable location for job seekers in Pennsylvania.
2. Franklin Park
Population: 13,882
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
Franklin Park claims the second position with a commendable unemployment rate of 4.1%, offering strong job prospects for residents.
3. Emmaus
Population: 11,291
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
Emmaus secures the third spot with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, making it a solid choice for job hunters.
4. Elizabet
Population: 11,602
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Elizabet follows closely behind with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, representing a viable option for those entering the job market.
5. Wyomissing
Population: 10,467
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
Wyomissing, also at 4.8%, demonstrates a competitive job market, ensuring opportunities for residents.
6. Hermitage
Population: 16,237
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Hermitage ranks sixth with a stable unemployment rate of 5.0%, making it a thoughtful choice for career-minded individuals.
7. Whitehall
Population: 13,931
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Whitehall’s unemployment rate of 5.1% places it seventh, showcasing its strong community and job opportunities.
8. Plum
Population: 27,386
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Plum ranks eighth with an unemployment rate of 5.7%, appealing to those seeking stable employment.
9. Kingston
Population: 13,105
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Kingston, with a 5.8% unemployment rate, rounds out our top nine, demonstrating its potential for job seekers.
10. Jefferson Hills
Population: 10,984
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Jefferson Hills completes our list at number ten with an unemployment rate of 6.2%. While it may be last on this list, it remains competitive within Pennsylvania’s job market.
Conclusion: Understanding Unemployment Across Pennsylvania
These are the top ten cities in Pennsylvania with the lowest unemployment rates, showcasing strong job markets and economic stability. If you’re considering a move to the Keystone State, these cities represent the best opportunities for employment. For more information about job markets across the U.S., visit our site.
For those interested in the areas with the highest unemployment rates in Pennsylvania, here’s a brief overview:
- Reading
- Chester
- York
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Pennsylvania
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | 1 | 3.8% |
| Franklin Park | 2 | 4.1% |
| Emmaus | 3 | 4.6% |
| Elizabet | 4 | 4.8% |
| Wyomissing | 5 | 4.8% |
| Hermitage | 6 | 5.0% |
| Whitehall | 7 | 5.1% |
| Plum | 8 | 5.7% |
| Kingston | 9 | 5.8% |
| Jefferson Hills | 10 | 6.2% |
| Lansdale | 11 | 6.3% |
| Baldwin | 12 | 6.7% |
| Bloomsburg | 13 | 6.8% |
| Phoenixville | 14 | 6.8% |
| Dunmore | 15 | 6.8% |
| Munhall | 16 | 6.8% |
| Lansdowne | 17 | 7.1% |
| West Chester | 18 | 7.3% |
| Lower Burrell | 19 | 7.4% |
| Bethlehem | 20 | 7.5% |
| Greensburg | 21 | 7.7% |
| Ephrata | 22 | 7.9% |
| Chambersburg | 23 | 8.0% |
| Columbia | 24 | 8.0% |
| Carlisle | 25 | 8.1% |
| Hanover | 26 | 8.2% |
| State College | 27 | 8.3% |
| Scranton | 28 | 8.5% |
| Altoona | 29 | 8.5% |
| Pittsburgh | 30 | 8.6% |
| Meadville | 31 | 8.6% |
| Pottsville | 32 | 8.7% |
| Yeadon | 33 | 8.8% |
| Pott | 34 | 9.1% |
| Berwick | 35 | 9.3% |
| West Mifflin | 36 | 9.4% |
| Washington | 37 | 9.6% |
| Nanticoke | 38 | 9.8% |
| New Kensington | 39 | 9.9% |
| Erie | 40 | 10.0% |
| Sharon | 41 | 10.1% |
| New Castle | 42 | 10.4% |
| Wilkes-Barre | 43 | 10.5% |
| Uniontown | 44 | 10.5% |
| Butler | 45 | 11.1% |
| Easton | 46 | 11.8% |
| Norri | 47 | 12.0% |
| Wilkinsburg | 48 | 12.5% |
| Oil City | 49 | 12.5% |
| Williamsport | 50 | 12.6% |
| Lancaster | 51 | 12.8% |
| Hazleton | 52 | 12.8% |
| Indiana | 53 | 12.9% |
| Philadelphia | 54 | 13.9% |
| Allentown | 55 | 14.0% |
| Lebanon | 56 | 14.6% |
| Darby | 57 | 14.6% |
| Waynesboro | 58 | 14.7% |
| Mckeesport | 59 | 14.9% |
| Coatesville | 60 | 15.5% |
| Johnstown | 61 | 16.2% |
| Harrisburg | 62 | 16.7% |
| York | 63 | 17.5% |
| Chester | 64 | 20.0% |
| Reading | 65 | 20.1% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
