Adams
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Adams County apart from the other 3,142 counties: life expectancy is in the top 13% of American counties (79.4 years) and the median household income is in the top 14% of American counties ($78,975). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 8th of 67 counties for life expectancy.

Where you are

You live in Adams County, Pennsylvania. 104,604 people live here with you. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +909).

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 $78,975 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,542. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 53% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,425 a year.

Home

The median home costs $337K, pricier than 77% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,052 a month. Property tax is 1.44% of home value, roughly $3,485 a year on that median home, higher than 83% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 68% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 126 active physicians in the county, about 12.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 7.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.21 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 80% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 31 points. 71% 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 53°F, highs near 64 and lows near 43, colder than 61% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 244 Mbps down, faster than 71% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 10 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.