Financial security covers poverty rates, personal incomes, unemployment rates, homeownership and rental costs, and transportation options. Data from Lancaster County indicates both strengths and challenges: These racial and ethnic disparities are pronounced among African American and Hispanic residents who face higher unemployment rates, lower homeownership rates and greater financial burdens compared to their White and Asian counterparts.

Income, Employment and Poverty

While Lancaster County’s overall poverty rate in 2019-23 of 9% was below the state and nation, poverty was much higher in some groups: 21% of Lancaster City residents lived below the poverty line.

Poverty rates among Hispanic residents were over twice the rates for White residents. Similar trends were seen for children, with 27% of Hispanic children in poverty. Rates for African American residents appeared similar to Hispanic rates but were subject to a larger margin of error in measurement and cannot be precisely indicated.

Poverty was relatively low among veterans, at 6%, and among those employed, at 3%.

Median incomes in Lancaster County in 2019-23 differed significantly by household type:

• Single women with children had the lowest median incomes: $36,200, compared to $61,800 for single men with children.
• Married couples without children had a median income of $105,500, compared to $118,500 for those with children.
• In the City of Lancaster, incomes for all groups were lower than Lancaster County as a whole.

In 2019-23, median incomes in Lancaster County were highest among Asian and White residents and lowest among Hispanic and African American residents, who were earning less than 75% of median White incomes.

In 2019-23, unemployment rates in the county showed racial and ethnic disparities: 8% of African American and 7.5% of Hispanic residents of Lancaster County were unemployed, compared to 2.7% of white residents.

Public Assistance

Public programs help the unemployed and others in need. A small share of Lancaster County households receive cash assistance. In 2019-23, 3% of Lancaster County households received public assistance income, similar to 2009-13.

In 2019-23, about 28% of African American and 29% of Hispanic residents in the county utilized SNAP benefits, compared to 7% of white residents. The City of Lancaster had higher rates for every group during this period.

In 2024, 55% of students in Lancaster County were eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, below the statewide rate of 63%.

Housing

Housing costs, including both homeownership and rent, were somewhat higher in Lancaster County than the state average, and most surrounding counties. On average, home prices and rental rates exceed those In neighboring counties with the exception of Chester, making affordability a growing challenge.  

In 2019-23, the median home value for Lancaster County was $279,400, above the statewide median of $240,500 and below the national median of $303,400. This represents a 14% increase since 2009-13, compared to a 12% state and 31% national increase.

In 2017-21, homes in Lancaster County were somewhat unaffordable, and less affordable than the Pennsylvania average, with a high ratio of home value to median household income across all racial and ethnic groups.

Homeownership rates varied by race and ethnicity. In Lancaster County in 2019-23, homeownership rates were:

• 74% among White residents
• 67% among Asian residents
• 44% among Hispanic residents
• 39% among African American residents

In the City of Lancaster, homeownership rates were lower than the County for all groups:

• 54% among White residents
• 48% of Asian residents
• 42% of Hispanic residents
• 34% of African Americans residents

In 2019-23, the median monthly rent in Lancaster County was $1,300, higher than the $1,200 statewide median, but lower than the $1,400 national median. This reflects a 13% increase since 2009-13. The City of Lancaster, with a median monthly rent of $1,200, has also increased 20% since 2009-13.

In 2019-23, Lancaster County renters spent 28% of their income on rent, slightly below the state and nation (30% and 31% respectively). Renting was least affordable for residents in the City of Lancaster, where renters spent 30% of their income on rent in 2019-23, down from 41% in 2009-13.

Transportation

Transportation options are a measure of personal wealth and important for social participation, including access to employment opportunities. Lancaster County has similar or slightly higher rates of vehicle ownership than surrounding counties and shows racial disparities in transportation utilization.

In 2019-23, 9% of Lancaster County households did not have a vehicle, the same as the 2009-13 rate. This is slightly below the state rate of 10% and slightly above the national rate of 8%. In the City of Lancaster, 15% of households lacked access to a vehicle. This is down from 22% in 2009-13.

In 2019-23, White residents of Lancaster County report the highest levels of driving alone to work, 83%. In comparison, 78% of Asians, 77% of African Americans, and 75% of Hispanics report driving alone to work.