Small-town market profile · Pennsylvania
St. Marys, PA area market data
How the St. Marys area compares with other small-town markets for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 29,926
- −3.3% since 2020
- Households
- 13,325
- Median household income
- $66,380
- +24.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $133,600
- Jobs located here
- 12,876
- Highest market score
- 78
- Real estate, #15 of 536 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the St. Marys area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the St. Marys area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The St. Marys area has an estimated 29,926 people and 13,325 households. Population estimates put the population change in the St. Marys area from 2020 to 2025 at −3.3%, against +3.1% for the U.S. Median household income in the St. Marys area is $66,380, 18% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 24.2%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the St. Marys area runs highest on groceries (an index of 99, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on pets (60).
Of the business types scored in the St. Marys area, real estate businesses (78), real estate agents and brokers (71) and convenience stores (69) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For real estate businesses, that ranks #15 of 536 scored small-town markets.
The St. Marys area is made up of one county, Elk County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pet grooming and boarding businesses (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (45% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the St. Marys area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the St. Marys area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate | 78 | #15 of 536 | 8 | 6.0 | Index only | 625 | 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 71 | #41 of 533 | 6 | 4.5 | Index only | 663 | Under 3 |
| Convenience stores | 69 | #93 of 529 | 9 | 6.8 | $9.2M | 117 | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 69 | #105 of 536 | 9 | 6.8 | $2.9M | 227 | Under 3 |
| Home repair trades | 68 | #65 of 526 | 10 | 7.5 | $3.7M | 153 | 17 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 66 | #125 of 536 | 17 | 12.8 | $1.5M | 174 | Under 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 64 | #140 of 537 | 13 | 9.8 | $3.5M | 114 | 14 |
| Spas and skin care | 60 | #141 of 504 | 5 | 3.8 | $2.3M | 267 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 59 | #164 of 529 | 5 | 3.8 | $9M | 244 | 6 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 58 | #170 of 535 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.1M | 170 | 4 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 58 | #198 of 538 | 28 | 21.0 | $3M | 87 | 8 |
| Gas stations | 54 | #221 of 536 | 8 | 6.0 | $3.5M | 147 | 15 |
| Grocery stores | 54 | #225 of 506 | 8 | 6.0 | $10.4M | 112 | 7 |
| Child care and preschools | 47 | #254 of 454 | 7 | 5.3 | $776K | 77 | 7 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 46 | #293 of 526 | 10 | 7.5 | $1.4M | 143 | 8 |
| Pizza | 43 | #327 of 520 | 15 | 11.3 | $3M | 59 | 14 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 41 | #363 of 538 | 137 | 102.8 | $330K | 89 | 50 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 40 | #387 of 538 | 41 | 30.8 | $285K | 134 | 17 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 34 | #429 of 538 | 65 | 48.8 | $695K | 105 | 30 |
| Chiropractors | 33 | #347 of 426 | 6 | 4.5 | $2.3M | 98 | 6 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 32 | #435 of 507 | 14 | 10.5 | $3.2M | 78 | 6 |
| Insurance agencies | 29 | #439 of 537 | 17 | 12.8 | $1.3M | 105 | 15 |
| Auto repair shops | 29 | #465 of 538 | 30 | 22.5 | $391K | 88 | 18 |
| Auto repair and car care | 27 | #466 of 538 | 56 | 42.0 | $209K | 78 | 22 |
| Hair salons | 23 | #506 of 538 | 32 | 24.0 | $365K | 85 | 15 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 22 | #499 of 538 | 91 | 68.3 | $155K | 101 | 51 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 20 | #372 of 387 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.5M | 48 | 4 |
| Physical therapy | 20 | #379 of 400 | 10 | 7.5 | $1.4M | 59 | 6 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 20 | #469 of 481 | 15 | 11.3 | $1M | 60 | 16 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 18 | #397 of 399 | 13 | 9.8 | $1.2M | 40 | 11 |
| Car washes and detailing | 13 | #431 of 441 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.5M | 58 | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 12 | #391 of 400 | 9 | 6.8 | $1.6M | 50 | 5 |
| Pet businesses | 5 | #527 of 527 | 19 | 14.3 | $380K | 43 | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 2 | #387 of 387 | 12 | 9.0 | $601K | 24 | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $9.3M | 77 | 6 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $573K | 84 | 3 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $2.2M | 173 | 4 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $1.8M | 40 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $3.5M | 197 | 26 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $12.4M | 260 | 11 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $8.7M | 69 | Under 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $3M | 149 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $12.4M | 146 | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $4.7M | 19 | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.5 | $5.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.5 | $7.5M | Too few | 5 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.5 | $5.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.5 | $5.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $26M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $7.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $9M | Too few | 4 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the St. Marys area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $11.7M | $880 | 92 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $28M | $2,105 | 81 |
| Food away from home | $45.2M | $3,390 | 83 |
| Groceries | $83M | $6,226 | 99 |
| Personal care products and services | $11.7M | $878 | 87 |
| Child care and other personal services | $5.4M | $407 | 70 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $9M | $675 | 69 |
| Medical and dental services | $14.1M | $1,056 | 82 |
| Pets | $7.2M | $541 | 60 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $26M | $1,949 | 95 |
| Vehicle insurance | $22.3M | $1,676 | 86 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $37.1M | $2,787 | 92 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $15.1M | $1,131 | 80 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $216.7M | $16,264 | 98 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the St. Marys area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 29,926−3.3% since 2020
- Households
- 13,325
- Median age
- 47.8
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 80%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 827 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 37
- Median household income
- $66,380+24.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $81,773
- Median home value
- $133,600
- Jobs located here
- 12,876
- Daytime population
- 29,443Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the St. Marys area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the St. Marys area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the St. Marys area 1
- Elk County, PA30,506 people
Other markets based in Pennsylvania 12
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area6,272,014 people
- Pittsburgh, PA metro area2,439,940 people
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area873,603 people
- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area604,155 people
- Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area569,788 people
- Lancaster, PA metro area557,931 people
- York-Hanover, PA metro area462,924 people
- Reading, PA metro area433,015 people
- Erie, PA metro area269,052 people
- State College, PA metro area158,576 people
- Chambersburg, PA metro area157,379 people
- Lebanon, PA metro area144,186 people
Questions
How fast is the St. Marys, PA area growing?
Population estimates put the St. Marys area at 29,926 people in 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 13,325 households. Median household income rose 24.2% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the St. Marys, PA area spend?
Households in the St. Marys area spend about $216.7M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $83M on groceries and $45.2M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the St. Marys area spend the most on groceries (an index of 99, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on pets (60).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the St. Marys, PA area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the St. Marys area are for real estate businesses (78), real estate agents and brokers (71) and convenience stores (69). The St. Marys area ranks #15 of 536 scored small-town markets for real estate businesses.
How does the St. Marys, PA area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the St. Marys area is $66,380 a year, 18% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 3.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $133,600, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the St. Marys area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pet grooming and boarding businesses (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (45% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 34 of the 56 business types have a score in the St. Marys area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the St. Marys area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Pennsylvania · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the St. Marys area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the St. Marys area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.