Lancaster
Pennsylvania

Where you are

You live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 553,202 people live here with you. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -556).

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 $81,458 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,966. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 55% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,501 a year.

Home

The median home costs $388K, pricier than 84% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,230 a month. Property tax is 1.48% of home value, roughly $3,913 a year on that median home, higher than 85% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.3 years, longer than 86% of American counties. There are 1,357 active physicians in the county, about 24.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.2 of 5 stars. 11.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 69% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 15 points. 69% 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 63 and lows near 43, colder than 60% of American counties. About 44 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 265 Mbps down, faster than 81% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 15 breweries, 20 museums.