1st Advantage MortgageIn York County, Pennsylvania, the typical household earns $84,829 a year and the typical rent is $1,193. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- York County at a glance
- How much York County households make
- Employment and commuting in York County
- York County housing compared with Pennsylvania
- York County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in York County
- A York County household budget, worked through
- York County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in York County
- Four steps for York County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for York County residents
- More guides for York County
- Frequently asked questions
York County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts York County's population at 462,924; only 7 of Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 904 square miles, that is close to 512 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the York-Hanover, PA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). York is the biggest of its 54 Census places, at roughly 44,938 people (10% of the county total).
How much York County households make
Half of York County households take in less than $84,829 a year and half take in more, 9% above the Pennsylvania median of $77,971. In the state ranking that is 9th of 67.
| Households earning | York County | +/- vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.0% | -5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.7% | +2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.4% | +4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.9% | -1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 41% of York County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. Census counts 8.4% of York County residents in poverty, against 11.7% across Pennsylvania. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.412 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in York County
The biggest employer of York County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). Manufacturing stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for York County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | York County | Compared with Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.5% | -4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.9% | +3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.7% | -1.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.4% | +1.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
York County housing compared with Pennsylvania
Renters in York County pay a median of $1,193 a month, in line with Pennsylvania's $1,209. By the Census definition, 48% of York County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $248,600, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1976.
| Cost | York County | Pennsylvania figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,193/mo | $1,209/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $248,600 | $254,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.1% | 3.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 4% | 9% | n/a |
Because most York County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
York County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 34 miles). Carroll County leads the group on income ($118,211), Lebanon County trails ($78,425), and York County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Maryland. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a York County resident follows Pennsylvania rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York County | - | $84,829 | $1,193/mo | 76% |
| Adams County, PA | 26 mi | $84,092 | $1,115/mo | 79% |
| Lancaster County, PA | 27 mi | $86,959 | $1,357/mo | 70% |
| Carroll County, MD | 29 mi | $118,211 | $1,427/mo | 84% |
| Cumberland County, PA | 33 mi | $87,494 | $1,249/mo | 71% |
| Baltimore County, MD | 34 mi | $91,768 | $1,627/mo | 66% |
| Lebanon County, PA | 34 mi | $78,425 | $1,110/mo | 71% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in York County
The table lists the 14 largest of 54 Census places in York County, by population. Together all 54 hold about 205,193 people, so roughly 56% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $34,500 in New Market to $167,069 in Grantley. Rent is cheapest in New Market ($858) and steepest in Jacobus ($1,892). This guide covers each of the 54 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York | city | 44,938 | $48,420 | $1,014 | 3 mi |
| Hanover | borough | 16,584 | $61,293 | $1,137 | 15 mi |
| Weigelstown | CDP | 15,485 | $73,722 | $1,385 | 7 mi |
| Shiloh | CDP | 11,246 | $94,324 | $1,530 | 5 mi |
| East York | CDP | 9,388 | $88,021 | $1,356 | 4 mi |
| Parkville | CDP | 8,128 | $77,352 | $1,340 | 16 mi |
| Red Lion | borough | 6,516 | $72,901 | $884 | 7 mi |
| West York | borough | 5,092 | $80,995 | $971 | 3 mi |
| New Freedom | borough | 5,066 | $120,037 | $1,640 | 13 mi |
| Spry | CDP | 4,909 | $82,723 | $1,646 | 2 mi |
| Grantley | CDP | 4,775 | $167,069 | $1,396 | 1 mi |
| Emigsville | CDP | 4,254 | $69,816 | $1,312 | 6 mi |
| Dallastown | borough | 4,185 | $63,517 | $1,158 | 5 mi |
| Shrewsbury | borough | 3,878 | $101,833 | $1,044 | 11 mi |
A York County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median York County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,069 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,193, takes 17% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,352 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,847 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
York County households compared
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. 4.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| York County | Pennsylvania | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 40.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.6% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | 5.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 10.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.4% | 15.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 8.7% |
Borrowing situations common in York County
Where the York County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Higher earners. 41% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of York County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Four steps for York County borrowers
Steps that save money for York County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Pennsylvania borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for York County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For York County, check the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Pennsylvania guide.
More guides for York County
The Pennsylvania guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is York County a high-income county?
Its $84,829 median ranks 9th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is York County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,193 against $1,209 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in York County?
By population: York, Hanover, Weigelstown, Shiloh, East York. The county has 54 Census places in all.
Will a York County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Pennsylvania as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for York County residents?
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities licenses consumer lenders in Pennsylvania; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.