Pennsylvania: elevation, cities and highest point
Pennsylvania has 13,059,432 people (2025) and 67 counties. Its highest point is Mount Davis, at 3,213 ft, and its lowest, the Delaware River, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 100,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 13,059,432
- The 5th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 44,742 sq mi
- The 32nd largest state
- Counties
- 67
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- Sea level
- Delaware River
Map of Pennsylvania’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Harrisburg, sits at 334 ft (102 m): the 29th highest of the 50 state capitals. Pennsylvania’s highest point, Mount Davis, is 126 mi away in a straight line and 2,879 ft higher.
Between its highest point (3,213 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 3,213 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Pennsylvania’s is the 33rd highest.
Pennsylvania has 4 cities with a page. The highest is Pittsburgh, at 765 ft, and the lowest is Philadelphia, at 35 ft: 730 ft apart.
Pennsylvania borders 6 states. Their highest points are Hoye-Crest, in Maryland (3,360 ft), High Point, in New Jersey (1,803 ft), Spruce Knob, in West Virginia (4,863 ft), Mount Marcy, in New York (5,344 ft), Ebright Azimuth, in Delaware (448 ft), and Campbell Hill, in Ohio (1,550 ft): Pennsylvania’s is the 4th highest of the 7. Their capitals: Annapolis (44 ft), Trenton (60 ft), Charleston (596 ft), Albany (143 ft), Dover (28 ft), and Columbus (780 ft).
- Mount Davis 3,213 ft
- Pittsburgh 765 ft
- Harrisburg 334 ft
- Philadelphia 35 ft
Cities of 100,000 to 250,000 people (1)
Population
Pennsylvania had 13,059,432 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 0.4% more than in April 2020 (13,002,753). Across 44,742 sq mi of land, that’s 292 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Philadelphia, with 1,574,281 people. The Census counts 2,003 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Pennsylvania.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,574,281 | 134 sq mi | 35 ft |
| Pittsburgh | 307,632 | 55.4 sq mi | 765 ft |
| Allentown | 126,044 | 17.6 sq mi | 342 ft |
| Reading | 95,832 | 9.84 sq mi | — |
| Erie | 91,838 | 19.1 sq mi | — |
| Bethlehem | 79,644 | 19.1 sq mi | — |
| Scranton | 75,514 | 25.3 sq mi | — |
| Lancaster | 58,366 | 7.23 sq mi | — |
| Levittown | 50,926 | 10.3 sq mi | — |
| Harrisburg | 50,522 | 8.12 sq mi | 334 ft |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Pennsylvania?
Mount Davis, at 3,213 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 33rd highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Pennsylvania?
The Delaware River, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Harrisburg, the capital?
334 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 29th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Pennsylvania?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 100,000 people), Pittsburgh, at 765 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Pennsylvania have?
67, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know