RANK #298 / 996 · POP 286,108 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.6%
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, is perhaps best known as home to Hershey, "The Sweetest Place on Earth," offering attractions like Hersheypark and Hershey Gardens. Located in south-central Pennsylvania, with Harrisburg as its county seat and state capital, the county borders the Susquehanna River to the west. Commuting options include public bus services and a regional program promoting carpooling, vanpooling, biking, and walking. The landscape transitions from urban centers to serene suburbs and farming communities, backed by rolling fields, waterways, and the Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor recreation is supported by numerous county parks, including Wildwood Park and Detweiler Park, offering trails for hiking and opportunities for birdwatching.
Life in Dauphin County offers a mix of urban and rural experiences, attracting families and young professionals. Public schools in the county are generally rated above average, with districts like Derry Township and Central Dauphin recognized. The economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, is diversifying. While government and tourism remain significant, there is growth in sectors such as data centers, energy, and industrial logistics, supported by the county's access to major highways and a skilled workforce. The county actively supports economic development through various programs and initiatives for businesses.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
UPS East Zone Regional Hub
UPS
|
$1,400M | Operating |
|
Three Mile Island Nuclear Station Unit 1 License Extension & Restart
Constellation Energy Corp
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Dauphin Highlands Golf Course Data Center
Harrisburg I, LLC (Provident Realty Advisors)
|
$500M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Dauphin County has a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, ranking #298 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $71,046, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Dauphin County is $208,200 with median rent at $1,090/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3412, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed +3.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.93% of Dauphin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.