Pennsylvania

Chester

534,413
2020 population
1790
first census record
24
census records

About Chester

Chester, Pennsylvania, first appears in the United States federal census in 1790, when it recorded a population of 27,937. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 534,413.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 9 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Iron Works Hill (Brandywine follow-up), Battle of Brandywine — Chadds Ford, Battle of Iron Hill (Cooch's Bridge area), and 327 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020534,413
2010498,886
2000433,501
1990376,396
1980316,660
1970278,311
1960210,608
1950159,141
1940135,626
1930126,629
1920115,120
1910109,213
190095,695
189089,377
188083,481
187077,805
186074,578
185066,438
184057,515
183050,910
182044,451
181039,596
180032,093
179027,937
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Chester

Military engagements that took place in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Battle of Iron Works Hill (Brandywine follow-up)
1777
Battle of Brandywine — Chadds Ford
1777
Battle of Iron Hill (Cooch's Bridge area)
1777
Battle of Brandywine — Chadds Ford Action
1777
Battle of Paoli
1777
Battle of Chadd's Ford
1777
Battle of Paoli Massacre
1777
Action at Chadds Ford (approach to Brandywine)
1777
Battle of Paoli Massacre (1777)
1777

Historic places in Chester

National Register of Historic Places listings in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Grove Historic District
Downington
Fairville Historic District
Kennett Square
Oaklands
West Whiteland
Ashbridge, David, Log House
West Chester
West Whiteland Inn
Exton
Sugartown Historic District
Malvern
Brinton's Mill
Chadds Ford
Ferron, John, House
Londonderry Township
Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse and School
Birmingham
Chester Springs Historic District
Chester Springs
Hayes Homestead
Newlin Twp.
West Chester Downtown Historic District
West Chester
Dougherty, Philip, Tavern
Coatesville
Chester County Courthouse
West Chester
Marshallton Historic District
Marshallton
Coventryville Historic District
Pottstown
Mount Zion A.M.E. Church
Tredyffrin Township
Hare's Hill Road Bridge
Phoenixville
Derbydown Homestead
Northbrook
Rogers, Philip, House
Warwick Township
Zook, Jacob, House
Exton
Williams, John, Farm
Phoenixville
Young, Joseph, House
Newlin Twp.
Worker's House at Lower Laurel Iron Works
Newlin Twp.
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Other counties in Pennsylvania

Explore census history and historic records for more Pennsylvania counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Chester County, Pennsylvania

This page charts the census history of Chester County, Pennsylvania. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Chester

When does Chester first appear in the US census?
Chester, Pennsylvania first appears in the federal census in 1790, with a recorded population of 27,937.
What is the population of Chester?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Chester had a recorded population of 534,413.
Were any battles fought in Chester?
9 documented military engagements took place in Chester, including Battle of Iron Works Hill (Brandywine follow-up), Battle of Brandywine — Chadds Ford, Battle of Iron Hill (Cooch's Bridge area).
How many historic places are in Chester?
327 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Chester, Pennsylvania.
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