What does this measure?
The most recent monthly rent plus the average monthly payments for utilities and fuel, as reported to the Census Bureau, adjusted for inflation. The median represents the mid-point of monthly rents (half the values are above the median and half below).
Why is this important?
For those who do not own a home, rent is a necessary expense. The higher a family's rental expenses, the less they have to spend on their other needs. However, higher median rental values can also be indicative of a better home and community.
How does our county compare?
In 2016-20, the median monthly rent in Lancaster County was $1,050, higher than the $958 statewide median and below the $1,096 national median. Median monthly rent in Lancaster County increased by 18% since 2000, in line with state and national increases of 16% and 17%, respectively. The City of Lancaster, with a median monthly rent of $920, has also increased 21% since 2000.
Most surrounding counties increased by similar amounts over this period: Chester by 16%, and Berks, Cumberland and Dauphin by 12%. Lebanon and York were the exceptions, increasing by 20% and 18%, respectively. All but one surrounding county have median rents in the $850-$1,000 range: Chester County is the outlier, with a median rent of $1,354.
Notes about the data
Data are presented in 2020 dollars. Multi-year figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Figures for the region and surrounding counties were calculated by aggregating county medians based on each county's share of the region's population. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.
| 2000 | 2006-10 | 2011-15 | 2016-20 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $825 | $877 | $917 | $958 | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County | $889 | $936 | $991 | $1,050 | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster City | $758 | $796 | $855 | $920 | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County Boroughs | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County Townships | |||||||||||||||||||
| Berks County | $847 | $882 | $929 | $951 | |||||||||||||||
| Chester County | $1,171 | $1,278 | $1,307 | $1,354 | |||||||||||||||
| Cumberland County | $895 | $898 | $967 | $1,001 | |||||||||||||||
| Dauphin County | $865 | $908 | $925 | $966 | |||||||||||||||
| Lebanon County | $730 | $754 | $839 | $879 | |||||||||||||||
| York County | $825 | $888 | $929 | $972 | |||||||||||||||
Notes: Figures in 2020 dollars. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%.
| INDICATORS | TREND |
|---|---|
| Children Living in Poverty | Increasing |
| Children in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| People Living in Poverty | Increasing |
| People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Veterans Living in Poverty | Decreasing |
| Working Poor | Maintaining |
| Median Household Income by Household Type | Not Applicable |
| Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Living Wage | Not Applicable |
| Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Household Receiving Temporary Assistance | Increasing |
| Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Price Lunch | Increasing |
| Median Home Value | Maintaining |
| Occupied Housing Units | Maintaining |
| Homeownership Rate, by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Cost of Homeownership by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Median Rent | Maintaining |
| Cost of Renting | Increasing |
| Households Without Vehicles | Decreasing |
| Means of Transportation to Work, by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
