New Castle
RANK #97 / 996 NAT · #5 / 44 PA · POP 85,907
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is defined by its natural landscape, particularly McConnells Mill State Park, a National Natural Landmark featuring the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge with waterfalls, hiking trails, and a historic gristmill. Located about an hour north of Pittsburgh, the county offers a blend of rural scenery and access to urban amenities. Commuting to Pittsburgh is facilitated by Park & Ride options. The county also has a notable Old Order Amish community, especially around the villages of Volant and New Wilmington. Outdoor recreation extends to fishing in Neshannock Creek and Slippery Rock Creek, biking on the Stavich Bicycle Trail, and exploring Quaker Falls Recreation Area.
Life in Lawrence County offers a mix of small-town warmth and access to outdoor activities. The public schools in the county are generally above average. While the county has experienced a population decline, particularly in its main city, New Castle, rural and suburban areas have seen some growth. The economy is seeing investment in manufacturing, with one company expanding its operations and creating new jobs. The county's economic development efforts focus on supporting businesses and enhancing services.
Contracting economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Hickory Run Energy Station
Hickory Run Energy, LLC
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Firefly Solar Project (400 MW)
Vesper Energy
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Tri Global Energy Solar Project (175 MW solar, 40 MW battery storage)
Tri Global Energy
|
$215M | Planned |
|
LS Power Solar Farm (60 MW)
LS Power
|
$60M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lawrence County ranks #97 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 90/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.0% year-over-year). Median household income here is $57,585.
By national standards, Lawrence County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $130,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.44 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $787/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Lawrence County are both close to flat — population -0.5% YoY and jobs -1.0%. Home values shifted +0.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.84% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lawrence County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.