Your life in Somerset County, Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Somerset County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the top 7% of American counties (5.4%), winter sunshine is in the bottom 8% of American counties (-1.2 on the USDA scale), and the school test score is in the top 10% of American counties (3.38 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 8th of 67 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. 73,802 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +72).

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $57,357 a year, lower than 60% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,925. Unemployment runs 5.4%, higher than 93% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,761 a year.

Home

The median home costs $178K, cheaper than 73% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $669 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $1,428 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 81% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 51% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 54% of American counties. There are 78 active physicians in the county, about 10.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.33 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 90% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Pennsylvania law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 59 and lows near 38, colder than 80% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 40 out of 100, safer than 60% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 173 Mbps down, slower than 62% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums, 1 National Park Service site.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Pennsylvania tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.