City profile
Lancaster, PA
Historic small city in Amish country with a lively arts scene and many retirement communities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
30°F
Summer avg
76°F
Sunny days / yr
195
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$320,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,172
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
98
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.39%
- State income tax (top)
- 3.07%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.34%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 95/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Riverine flooding, Lightning
Nearest major airport
58 mi to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 41% Democratic / 57% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
57,719
Growth since 2019
-2.9%
Median age
32.2
Residents 65+
11.0%
Median household income
$63,690
Income growth since 2019
+39.9%
Black household income
$52,995
Home ownership
48.6%
Poverty rate
20.3%
Poverty rate, 65+
20.4%
Race & ethnicity: Black 12.0% · White 39.7% · Hispanic 40.6% · Asian 2.9% · Other 4.8%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
374 · 13% above the national average
Property crime
1,380 · 11% below the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Lancaster Police Department. State average: violent 229, property 1,360.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: flooding
Highlights
- Many retirement communities
- Walkable historic downtown
- Amish farmland scenery
Trade-offs
- Small Black community
- Property taxes
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.