Dauphin
Pennsylvania

What stands out

If you had to describe Dauphin County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is in the top 11% of American counties (281 Mbps), natural-hazard risk is in the top 11% of American counties (89 of 100), and homeownership is in the bottom 12% of American counties (63%). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 2nd of 67 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. 286,108 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -482).

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 $71,046 a year, higher than 76% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $68,012. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 69% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,181 a year.

Home

The median home costs $281K, pricier than 64% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,128 a month. Property tax is 1.50% of home value, roughly $3,114 a year on that median home, higher than 85% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 67% of American counties. There are 2,268 active physicians in the county, about 79.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 8.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.89 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 63% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 7 points. 72% 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 62 and lows near 43, colder than 64% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 89 out of 100, riskier than 89% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 281 Mbps down, faster than 89% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 13 museums.