Unique Location, Unique Insights

Close to cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC, you’ll find an area that’s been dubbed a “Mini-Brooklyn” by a prominent New York publication. Stop by the centuries-old farmers market and find African fare next to raw milk, grass-fed beef and farmers who grew the veggies they’re selling. As you explore, you’ll see headquarters of global businesses, local mom-and-pop shops and numerous transportation hubs that drive a robust economy. Outside the city, you’ll find a place where rural values thrive right alongside bustling suburban developments. Active farms and dynamic families blend seamlessly to make this area one-of-a-kind – spanning urban, rural and everything in between. This is Lancaster, and it’s why we chose here for our research facility.

Lancaster County At-A-Glance

A unique mix of urban, suburban and rural coupled with a strong business base and a range of incomes, ethnicities and professions.

Nationally Recognized

• Lititz was named “Coolest Small Town in America” by Budget Travel Magazine
• The City of Lancaster was ranked 10th in the country for “Top Cities for Women-Owned Businesses” by Nerdwallet
• Lancaster County was ranked 1st nationally in 2012 for Metro Areas in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, and has remained in the top quartile since
• Lancaster Central Market is ranked 8th “Best Fresh Market in the World”
• The City of Lancaster was ranked 1st as “Best Place to be a Teacher” by GoodCall

Key Insights

• Centrally Located: Lancaster County is within 500 miles of 50% of the US population, less than 90 minutes from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Harrisburg and Wilmington by car and 3 hours from New York City by train
• Surprisingly Large: Lancaster County is roughly the same size as Syracuse, Wichita and Akron
• Mirror Image: The demographics of the area mimic the US population in:
  • Median household income
  • Average hourly earnings
  • Median age
  • Average family size
  • Average home price
  • Average age of home
• Nuclear Families: Compared to the U.S., Lancaster County residents are more likely to be:
  • Married
  • Own their home
  • Work at home
  • Employed in production, transportation, construction, health technology and farming
• Working Hard: The area is economically healthy with lower than average unemployment rates
• Retirement Boom: Age 55+ communities are expanding rapidly in Lancaster County, with 138 retirement community centers, 5 of which have over 1000 residents
• Advanced Learning: Lancaster County has 10 Institutions of Higher Education