Pennsylvania: government, population and official figures

Pennsylvania is a state of the United States, number 5 of 51 by population. Pennsylvania had an estimated 13,059,432 residents on 1 July 2025, 3.8% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 5th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.10%, 9th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Pennsylvania?

The governor is Josh Shapiro. Governor's office. Phone: 1-717-787-2500. Address: Office of the Governor 501 North 3rd St. 508 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg , PA 17120.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Pennsylvania: The economy of Pennsylvania (gross domestic product) was worth $1.06 trillion in 2025 at current prices, 3.4% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 6th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.7% on 2024.
• Health in Pennsylvania: Life expectancy at birth in Pennsylvania was 77.3 years in 2022, 24th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Pennsylvania: 87.0% of public high school students in Pennsylvania graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 22nd highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Pennsylvania: The Census Bureau estimates that 11.6% of people in Pennsylvania lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 1,463,161 people; 26th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania's state government took in $126.0 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,655 per resident, 22nd highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Human Services
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• District Attorneys Association
• Department of Education
• Voting & Elections
• Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Pennsylvania

1. Philadelphia 1,574,281 (2025)
2. Pittsburgh 307,632 (2025)
3. Allentown 126,044 (2025)
4. Reading 95,832 (2025)
5. Erie 91,838 (2025)
6. Bethlehem 79,644 (2025)
7. Scranton 75,514 (2025)
8. Lancaster 58,366 (2025)
9. Harrisburg 50,522 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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