RANK #644 / 996 NAT · #29 / 44 PA · POP 1,593,208
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Philadelphia County, coextensive with the city of Philadelphia, is known as the "City of Brotherly Love," a name given by its founder, William Penn, in 1682. Situated in southeastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, it is approximately 90 miles southwest of New York City. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation, and the Schuylkill River Trail, popular for biking, running, and walking. Commute options are varied, with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) providing a comprehensive network of trains, subways, buses, and trolleys connecting the city and surrounding suburbs.
Life in Philadelphia County offers an urban-suburban mix, with many residents owning their homes. The city attracts a range of residents, from young professionals to families, drawn by its affordability compared to other major Northeast cities. While concerns about public safety and personal finances persist, residents generally express satisfaction with their housing. The economy is driven by various sectors, with recent investments in manufacturing, such as DrinkPAK's East Coast facility, and expansions in the life sciences industry, including Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories. The region also boasts a high concentration of higher education institutions, contributing to its identity as a center for academic research.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 35/100, Philadelphia County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $57,537 combined with job growth of +1.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Philadelphia County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $215,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,250/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Philadelphia County are hiring — job growth of +1.8% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved +2.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.72% of Philadelphia County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.