Chester
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Chester County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median household income is among the highest in America ($118,574), the share working from home is in the top 2% of American counties (19%), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 3% of American counties ($1,644 a month). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 1st of 67 counties for the median household income.

Where you are

You live in Chester County, Pennsylvania. 536,474 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +279).

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 $118,574 a year, higher than almost every county in America. Employers pay an average wage of $87,886. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 58% of American counties. 19% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,640 a year.

Home

The median home costs $577K, pricier than 96% of American counties, about 3.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,644 a month. Property tax is 1.40% of home value, roughly $6,109 a year on that median home, higher than 82% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.1 years, longer than 95% of American counties. There are 1,636 active physicians in the county, about 30.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.3 of 5 stars. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.48 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 95% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 13 points. 83% 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 54°F, highs near 63 and lows near 44, colder than 59% of American counties. About 41 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 92 out of 100, riskier than 92% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 278 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 19 museums.