Steel City Brewing in Coatesville is a gastropub run by a local chef.
Downtown Coatesville provides residents with charming local shops.
The Luken Steelworks and Iron & Steel Museum feature historic artifacts in Coatesville.
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum offers tours 5 days a week in Coatesville.
Coatesville Reservoir is one of several places residents go for aquatic recreation.

Coatesville, PA Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,269

Population

13,821

Renter Mix

68% Rent

Enjoy a convenient locale with a steel production past

Diverse Historic Affordable

Coatesville is the only city in Chester County, Pennsylvania, sitting about 39 miles west of Philadelphia along the historic Lincoln Highway corridor. Its identity is deeply rooted in steel-making history. The Lukens Steel Company helped shape the city in the early 20th century, and that industrial legacy still gives Coatesville a gritty, authentic character that sets it apart from the polished suburbs surrounding it.

Today, the city is in the midst of a steady revitalization, drawing interest from renters who want Chester County access without the premium price tag that comes with neighboring communities. The Brandywine River traces the area’s edge, and the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum anchors a growing cultural presence downtown.

Housing here covers a solid range of options, from converted rowhouses and older brick apartment buildings to newer apartment communities that reflect ongoing investment in the city’s future. Whether you’re looking for a spacious multi-bedroom unit or a modest one-bedroom, Coatesville offers practical choices at accessible price points compared to the broader Pennsylvania market.

With Route 30 cutting through the heart of the city and regional rail connections nearby, getting to Philadelphia, Wilmington, or Lancaster for work or play is straightforward from any corner of town.

Explore the City

The Luken Steelworks and Iron & Steel Museum feature historic artifacts in Coatesville.

The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum offers tours 5 days a week in Coatesville.

Coatesville Reservoir is one of several places residents go for aquatic recreation.

Gateway Park in Coatesville is the location of many local community gatherings.

The Iron Eagle Bar & Grille is an upscale restaurant in Coatesville.

The Coatesville Amtrak station can be used to easily travel to Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$53,333

Average: $64,260

Education

2,070

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

6,544

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

34 Years

Largest Age Group

5-14 Years

Approximately 16% of Residents

Under 20

31%

Over 65

13%

Housing Distribution

Coatesville has more renters than homeowners.

Renters
68%
Non-Renters
32%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
10%
Other Education
90%

Rent Trends

As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Coatesville, PA is $1,279 for one bedroom, $1,654 for two bedrooms, and $1,623 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Coatesville has increased by 3.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,279/month
588 Sq Ft
House
$2,373/month
1,800 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Coatesville, PA

Learn More About Coatesville

Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

30 / 100

Very Drivable

Drivability

80 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

20 / 100

Schools

Scott Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

389 Students

Kings Highway El School

Public

Grades K-5

466 Students

Reeceville El School

Public

Grades K-5

384 Students

Friendship El School

Public

Grades K-5

327 Students

Rainbow El School

Public

Grades K-5

683 Students

Scott Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

389 Students

Coatesville Intermediate High School

Public

Grades 6-8

826 Students

North Brandywine Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

274 Students

Coatesville Area Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,412 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Hibernia County Park
  • Sadsbury Woods Preserve
  • Springton Manor Farm
  • Springton Manor Farm Carriage House
  • ChesLen Preserve

Airports

  • Philadelphia International

Top Apartments in Coatesville

Houses for Rent in Coatesville

Living in Coatesville

History

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Coatesville’s identity is deeply tied to its steel manufacturing heritage, which shaped the city throughout much of the 20th century. The Lukens Steel Company transformed this community along the historic Lincoln Highway into a thriving industrial center, and remnants of that era remain visible today in the city’s architecture and commercial corridor. The National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum preserves and celebrates this legacy, offering residents and visitors insight into the steel-making traditions that built the region. The city developed along the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike beginning in the late 18th century, and traces of its early transportation history can still be found along U.S. Route 30.

Today’s Coatesville reflects layers of its industrial past while adapting to contemporary life. The historic commercial district along the Lincoln Highway showcases the city’s evolution, with buildings that tell the story of its steel-town roots. While the steel industry has transformed over the decades, the character it instilled remains part of the local landscape, from streetscapes to community pride in the area’s working-class heritage.

Parks

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Coatesville offers residents a welcoming mix of parks and outdoor spaces perfect for relaxing or staying active. Hibernia County Park, just a short drive away, features hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing, camping, and a historic mansion set within beautiful woodland scenery. Nearby Brandywine Creek State Park and the Brandywine Trail provide scenic waterfront paths ideal for walking, jogging, and nature watching. Within the city, Ash Park and other neighborhood green spaces offer playgrounds and open fields for everyday recreation. The expansive Chester County trail network also connects residents to miles of greenways throughout the region.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.