Pennsylvania Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Population: 55,500

Located in Lancaster County

Lancaster County was formed in 1729, originally including present-day York and Cumberland counties and parts of Berks, Northumberland and Lebanon counties. Early settlers in the area were Mennonites, a religiously conservative people. By 1709, nearly 10.000 acres in the Willow Street are of the county were occupied. As other hardworking groups began to settle here, agriculture flourished and Lancaster would eventually become known as the “Garden Spot of America.” Today, the area continues to grow as people find its rich history, beautiful farmlands and economic stability make Lancaster a great place to live.

And the critics agree:

ReliaStar Financial Corp. in a study ranking the top 100 largest metropolitan areas ranked Lancaster as the 5th best area in the country in which to earn and save money (1998).

USA Today recently voted Lancaster Central Market the 4th best Market in the United States to visit

Inc. Magazine designated Lancaster as one of the top 25 cities for entrepreneurial development.

SOURCE: Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The list of acclaim for life in Lancaster goes on, and at the heart of Lancaster County is Lancaster City. First mapped out as a town in 1730, Lancaster officially became a city in 1818. Today, a culturally diverse community of more than 55,500 residents enjoy Lancaster city’s unique combination of big city amenities and small town convenience.

Climate
Average annual temperature 53 degrees
Average July temperature 78 degrees
Average January temperature 32 degrees
Average annual precipitation 38 inches
Average annual snowfall 7.5 inches

Statistics
Population 55,557 (census 1990)
Land Area 7.4 square miles

Employment
In addition to being a leading area for entrepreneurial development, Lancaster County has a lot to offer in terms of employment. Labor sectors include construction and mining, finance insurance and real estate, government, manufacturing, retail trade, service industries, transportation/utilities and wholesale trade. The unemployment rate in Lancaster county for 1999 was 2.7%.

Schools
In addition to Lancaster City’s elementary and secondary school system, opportunities for post-secondary education are available from a variety of sources. Franklin & Marshall College, ranked as the 29th best liberal arts college in the nation by US News & World Report is located in the city. Satellite campuses of Penn State University, Harrisburg Area Community College as well as Millersville University and Lancaster Bible College are accessible via the city’s public transportation system.

Recreation
Lancaster County Central Park, Buchannan Park and Long’s Park, historical sites, movie theaters, Park City Mall, the Historic Fulton Opera House and more are located in Lancaster city. Nearby are the Sight & Sound Theater, American Music Theater, Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, Rainbow Dinner Theater, Dutch Wonderland amusement park, Hershey attractions, Rockvale Square and Tanger outlet shopping malls, many golf courses and more.