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Lebanon County, PA

RANK #113 / 996  ·  POP 143,258  ·  PA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.7%

Lebanon County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Lebanon County?

Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, is often recognized for its strong agricultural roots and its distinctive Lebanon bologna, a local delicacy. Located in south-central Pennsylvania, about 25 miles east of Harrisburg, the county offers a blend of rural landscapes and small towns like Annville and Palmyra. Commuting is primarily by car, with an average travel time of 22.1 minutes, though public transit options like Lebanon Transit and regional ride-sharing programs are available. The community maintains a small-town feel, with numerous parks and natural areas, including parts of the Appalachian Trail and Swatara State Park, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing.

Life in Lebanon County is characterized by a strong sense of community, appealing to families and retirees. The public schools in the county are generally above average, with districts like Palmyra Area and Cornwall-Lebanon ranking highly. The economy, historically agricultural, has diversified to include manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare, with WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital being a significant employer. Fort Indiantown Gap, a major National Guard training center, also contributes to the local economy. Recent efforts by the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation aim to address housing needs, particularly for attainable homes in the $250,000-$300,000 range.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.8x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.5%

Below national median

Home Prices
+5.2%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.7

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Lebanon County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
143,258
+0.54% YoY
Median Household Income
$72,532
Median Home Value
$211,400
+5.24% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,023
Average Annual Pay
$55,454
+2.5% YoY
Employment
53,500
+1.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3431
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.22%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$325,000
Days on Market
30
Active market
Months of Supply
2.5
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
101.0%
Homes selling above asking
Sold Above List
28.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.9%
Building Permits (2024)
324
Single-Family Permits
280

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.5% 46 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 54 percentile
Income Growth +9.6% 75 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.0% 58 percentile
Home Price Change +5.2% 91 percentile
Rent Growth +2.5% 41 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 57 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lebanon County, PA a good place to move to?

Lebanon County has a Boom Town Index score of 89/100, ranking #113 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $72,532, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Lebanon County affordable?

The median home value in Lebanon County is $211,400 with median rent at $1,023/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3431, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Lebanon County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +5.2% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Lebanon County?

Yes — 3.22% of Lebanon County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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