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Westmoreland County, PA

RANK #456 / 996  ·  POP 354,414  ·  PA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%

Westmoreland County's economy is holding up, but population decline raises questions about long-term trajectory.

[01] Why Westmoreland County?

Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County, holds a unique place in sports history as the recognized birthplace of professional football in 1895. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, situated just east of Pittsburgh. Commuting to Pittsburgh is facilitated by major routes like Route 30, the PA Turnpike (I-76), and Route 22. The county offers a blend of rural landscapes and suburban communities, with 80% of its area covered by forests and farmland. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with eleven county parks and five trails, including Twin Lakes Park and the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing. The county is also considered the gateway to the scenic Laurel Highlands, offering additional options for outdoor activities.

Life in Westmoreland County offers a balance of community and access to amenities. Many residents own their homes, contributing to a sense of stability in neighborhoods. The county has 19 public school districts, with several ranking among the top in Pennsylvania. Higher education options include the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Saint Vincent College, Seton Hill University, and Westmoreland County Community College. The economy is experiencing growth driven by investments in data centers, energy, and industrial logistics. This economic activity supports a workforce with a strong industrial heritage.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.2x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+0.5%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+2.2%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
0.9

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Westmoreland County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
354,414
-0.2% YoY
Median Household Income
$69,454
Median Home Value
$181,600
+2.22% 12mo
Median Rent
$822
Average Annual Pay
$56,519
+2.3% YoY
Employment
129,350
-0.5% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3825
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.45%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$218,500
Days on Market
105
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
20.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.5%
Building Permits (2024)
414
Single-Family Permits
348

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

[05] Capital Investment

$4,146M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
TECfusions Keystone Connect Data Center and AI Campus
TECfusions
$3,000M Planned
Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station
Tenaska Pennsylvania Partners, LLC
$925M Operating
Amazon Fulfillment Center (New Stanton)
Amazon
$121M Operating
Chelsea Building Products Manufacturing Facility
Chelsea Building Products
$50M Under Construction
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various
$50M Operating/Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +0.5% 12 percentile
Population Growth -0.2% 21 percentile
Income Growth +7.3% 23 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.9% 62 percentile
Home Price Change +2.2% 62 percentile
Rent Growth +4.5% 73 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 42 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Westmoreland County has a Boom Town Index score of 54/100, ranking #456 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.5% and a median household income of $69,454, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Westmoreland County affordable?

The median home value in Westmoreland County is $181,600 with median rent at $822/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3825, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Westmoreland County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.5%. Home values changed +2.2% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Westmoreland County?

Yes — 2.45% of Westmoreland County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Oakland County, MI 64 Sullivan County, NY 64 Harford County, MD 64 Essex County, MA 64 Burke County, NC 64 Muskingum County, OH 64 Vigo County, IN 64 Cass County, ND 64