01
Location
Neighboring states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia.
Local timeHarrisburg ·
U.S. States / Northeast · Card 038
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a U.S. state in the Northeast. Its capital is Harrisburg.
Find Pennsylvania
● State capital · Gold highlights Pennsylvania.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Harrisburg
- Postal abbreviation
- PA
- Population
- 13,059,432July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 119,280 km²46,054 square miles · land and water
- Constitution ratified
- December 12, 1787One of the original thirteen states
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Pennsylvania in context
Gold shows Pennsylvania. The dot marks Harrisburg.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
The Delaware River cuts through wooded mountain ridges along the Pennsylvania–New Jersey border.
03
Land and water
The total area includes 115,883 km² of land and 3,397 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
The state coat of arms on blue, with two horses supporting a shield and an eagle above.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Delaware Water Gap
History & statehood
Pennsylvania was chartered in 1681. It became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The addition of the Erie Triangle in 1792 gave the state its present access to Lake Erie.
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Pennsylvania charter granted
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Constitution ratified · One of the original thirteen states
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Erie Triangle acquired
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, professional and business services was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included educational services, health care, and social assistance, real estate and rental and leasing, and manufacturing.
Total economic output was $1,056.4 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Professional and business services: 14.1%
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance: 13.2%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 12.8%
- Manufacturing: 10.3%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people13.062025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 12,995,576 |
| 2021 | 13,016,628 |
| 2022 | 12,984,655 |
| 2023 | 13,009,406 |
| 2024 | 13,045,848 |
| 2025 | 13,059,432 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars818.792025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 666,805.8 |
| 2011 | 676,468.3 |
| 2012 | 689,007.0 |
| 2013 | 704,195.0 |
| 2014 | 718,691.6 |
| 2015 | 734,145.1 |
| 2016 | 744,847.1 |
| 2017 | 754,318.0 |
| 2018 | 763,855.4 |
| 2019 | 771,852.5 |
| 2020 | 738,176.1 |
| 2021 | 766,140.0 |
| 2022 | 776,824.7 |
| 2023 | 789,918.5 |
| 2024 | 803,232.5 |
| 2025 | 818,787.5 |
Government
Pennsylvania has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Pennsylvania
Knowledge check
Three questions about Pennsylvania.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Pennsylvania?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.