What does this measure?
The percentage of the voting-age population (18 and over) that voted in an election.
Why is this important?
Voting is a basic right of all citizens and indicates the citizenry's interest, commitment and belief in the value of participating in our political process.
How does our county compare?
In 2018, 49% of voting-age people in Lancaster County cast votes in the election, identical to the statewide rate of 49%.
During the 2016 presidential election, voter participation in Lancaster was above the U.S., at 59%, and just under the statewide rate of 60%. Since 2000, voter participation in Lancaster was at its lowest during the 2014 midterms, at 35%, the same as Pennsylvania's rate.
During the 2018 election, voter participation was higher than Lancaster than in Berks (44%), Lebanon (45%) and York (48%) counties. It was below Chester (59%), Cumberland (52%), and Dauphin (51%).
Notes about the data
Rates were calculated using Census estimates of the population 18 and over. National data only available for presidential years.
| 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 52% | 38% | 60% | 42% | 61% | 57% | 35% | 60% | 49% |
| Lancaster County | 51% | 36% | 61% | 40% | 60% | 56% | 35% | 59% | 49% |
| Cumberland County | 53% | 39% | 61% | 44% | 62% | 58% | 39% | 62% | 52% |
| York County | 50% | 34% | 59% | 40% | 59% | 56% | 36% | 60% | 48% |
| Dauphin County | 53% | 41% | 62% | 44% | 64% | 59% | 38% | 62% | 51% |
| Chester County | 58% | 43% | 67% | 49% | 69% | 66% | 40% | 68% | 59% |
| Lebanon County | 50% | 39% | 58% | 40% | 58% | 54% | 35% | 58% | 45% |
| Berks County | 48% | 36% | 56% | 39% | 58% | 54% | 32% | 57% | 44% |
| 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 4,912,185 | 3,581,989 | 5,765,764 | 4,092,652 | 5,995,137 | 5,742,040 | 3,495,866 | 6,115,402 | 5,012,555 |
| Lancaster County | 175,317 | 126,549 | 221,278 | 150,602 | 228,137 | 222,436 | 140,773 | 241,112 | 202,224 |
| Cumberland County | 88,062 | 66,752 | 106,082 | 78,926 | 113,304 | 110,814 | 74,936 | 121,617 | 104,478 |
| York County | 144,244 | 99,921 | 179,269 | 125,868 | 194,210 | 189,229 | 121,990 | 205,986 | 168,978 |
| Dauphin County | 100,658 | 79,764 | 121,208 | 87,005 | 129,529 | 124,008 | 79,487 | 130,872 | 108,549 |
| Chester County | 187,562 | 142,814 | 230,823 | 173,397 | 254,354 | 251,973 | 155,798 | 268,800 | 236,775 |
| Lebanon County | 45,880 | 36,146 | 55,665 | 39,588 | 58,297 | 56,580 | 36,367 | 61,845 | 49,108 |
| Berks County | 135,163 | 102,528 | 164,487 | 116,933 | 180,000 | 170,320 | 101,845 | 183,065 | 144,426 |
| INDICATORS | TREND |
|---|---|
| Average Charitable Giving | Maintaining |
| Voter Registration Rate | Not Applicable |
| Voter Participation Rate | Decreasing |
| Age of Housing Stock | Not Applicable |
| Violent Crime Rate | Maintaining |
| Incarceration Rate | Maintaining |
| Incarceration Rate by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Population Density | Increasing |
| Air Quality | Increasing |
| Water Use | Decreasing |
| Waterways Impaired by Pollution | Not Applicable |
