RANK #289 / 996 NAT · #13 / 44 PA · POP 73,802
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville stands as a prominent landmark in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, drawing visitors to reflect on a significant moment in American history. Located in the Laurel Highlands, the county is about an hour east of Pittsburgh, offering a rural setting with access to major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. within a few hours' drive. The community maintains a conservative, small-town feel, characterized by scenic landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, including skiing at resorts like Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, hiking on trails such as the Great Allegheny Passage, and various water sports on local lakes. Life in Somerset County is marked by a lower cost of living and a strong sense of community. Public transportation options, including bus services, are available within the county and for trips to nearby Johnstown. The economy is supported by manufacturing, healthcare, and state correctional institutions. The county also sees activity in energy sectors, including coal mining and wind farms, with recent investments in sustainable practices. Local public schools are generally rated above average.
Contracting economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 4.0x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Homer City Energy Campus (Data Center & Natural Gas Power Plant)
Homer City Redevelopment LLC & Kiewit Power Constructors Company
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
Somerset County Data Center Campus (Planned)
Iron City Data
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Twin Ridges Wind Farm Expansion/Operations
Exus Pennsylvania Wind Holdings (formerly EverPower)
|
$250M | Operating |
|
Fern Mountain Residential Development
Steele Construction, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 71/100, Somerset County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $57,357 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in PA.
By national standards, Somerset County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $124,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.46 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $704/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Somerset County is losing population (-0.7% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.6% employment change). Home values are +3.0% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.68% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Somerset County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.