Northampton
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Northampton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the top 7% of American counties (1.76%), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 9% of American counties ($1,296 a month), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 10% of American counties (6.0%). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 5th of 67 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. 314,299 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,019).

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 $82,201 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $60,298. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 76% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,524 a year.

Home

The median home costs $371K, pricier than 82% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,296 a month. Property tax is 1.76% of home value, roughly $4,667 a year on that median home, higher than 93% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.3 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 1,351 active physicians in the county, about 43.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.5 of 5 stars. 6.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 69% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 73% 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 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 40, colder than 71% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 81 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 236 Mbps down, faster than 67% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 breweries, 10 museums.