RANK #659 / 1001 NAT · #35 / 44 PA · POP 352,500
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Westmoreland County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.1% runs below the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.5x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 34/100, Westmoreland County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $74,109 combined with job growth of -0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Westmoreland County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $203,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $879/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Westmoreland County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs -0.3%. Home values shifted +0.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.54% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Westmoreland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.