Fayette
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Fayette County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the top 3% of American counties (6.1%), winter sunshine is in the bottom 8% of American counties (-1.2 on the USDA scale), and population growth is in the bottom 8% of American counties (-1.2% a year). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 2nd of 67 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. 128,417 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -148).

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 $55,579 a year, lower than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,069. Unemployment runs 6.1%, higher than 97% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,706 a year.

Home

The median home costs $148K, cheaper than 85% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $792 a month. Property tax is 1.22% of home value, roughly $1,488 a year on that median home, higher than 74% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 72% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 33 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.4 years, shorter than 77% of American counties. There are 113 active physicians in the county, about 8.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 6.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.91 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 65% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 32 points. 60% 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 50°F, highs near 61 and lows near 40, colder than 73% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 57 out of 100, riskier than 57% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 230 Mbps down, faster than 64% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 5 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.