RANK #295 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 44 PA · POP 547,840
1YR FORECAST: +5.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: -2%
Kennett Square, known as the "Mushroom Capital of the World," stands out as a distinctive town in Chester County, Pennsylvania, producing a significant portion of the nation's mushroom crop. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 40 miles west of Philadelphia, Chester County offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Commute times to Philadelphia are typically around 45 minutes, with public transportation options including SEPTA Regional Rail and bus services. The county features rolling hills, farmland, and extensive green spaces, including Marsh Creek State Park and Valley Forge National Historical Park, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and boating.
Life in Chester County is characterized by a high quality of life, with residents often citing the area as an excellent place to live and raise a family. The public school districts in Chester County are highly rated, contributing to its appeal for families. The economy is diverse, with strong sectors in healthcare, professional and technical services, and finance. Recent economic developments show continued investment in technology and data infrastructure, reflecting a broader trend of growth in these areas.
Chester County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.8% matches the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
1547 Critical Systems Realty Data Center Campus
1547 Critical Systems Realty / Green Fig Land Company
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Toll Brothers at West Vincent Township (46 single-family homes)
Toll Brothers
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Chester County Government Capital Projects (various)
Chester County Government
|
$44M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, Chester County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.9%, and median household income stands at $127,208 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in PA.
Housing in Chester County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $485,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,763/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Chester County's population is growing — up +1.3% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted +2.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.38% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Chester County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.