Philadelphia
Pennsylvania

What stands out

If you had to describe Philadelphia County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is among the highest in America (60 per 100,000), the school test score is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2.26 where 3.0 is grade level), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 2% of American counties (98 of 100). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 1st of 67 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. 1,593,208 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population shrank 1.0% last year.

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 $57,537 a year, lower than 60% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $83,187. Unemployment runs 5.4%, higher than 93% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 28 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,766 a year.

Home

The median home costs $237K, pricier than 51% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,322 a month. Property tax is 0.86% of home value, roughly $1,863 a year on that median home, higher than 50% of American counties. 52% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 60 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 65% of American counties. There are 11,924 active physicians in the county, about 74.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.3 of 5 stars. 8.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.37 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 98% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 65% 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 56°F, highs near 65 and lows near 46, colder than 51% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 98 out of 100, riskier than 98% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 270 Mbps down, faster than 83% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 17 breweries, 57 museums, 4 National Park Service sites.