Township · Pennsylvania
Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Paxton Township, township, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Lower Paxton Township had 55,564 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 53,501 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 54,657 (±36). GEOID 4204345056.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
55,564
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 53,501 · ACS 2020-2024: 54,657 ±36
Median household income
$91,789
±$2,998 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$284,700
±$10,158 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,417
±$47 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is Lower Paxton Township and what county is it in?
Lower Paxton Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It covers 28.2 square miles of land, 1,900 residents per square mile in 2020.
3 places lie inside Lower Paxton Township: Colonial Park (CDP, 16,243 in 2020), Linglestown (CDP, 6,539 in 2020) and Paxtonia (CDP, 5,450 in 2020). Part of Progress (CDP) and Lawnton (CDP) also lie in it.
Lower Paxton Township is in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Lower Paxton Township, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 55,564 people lived in Lower Paxton Township on July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 53,501 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 54,657 (±36).
| Measure | Lower Paxton Township | Dauphin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 54,657±36 | 289,593 | +5,592 |
| Households | 22,025±755 | 121,358 | +1,288 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.08 | 2.33 | +0.11 |
| Housing units | 22,669±738 | 127,828 | no clear change |
Lower Paxton Township's population since 2000
From 44,424 in 2000 to 55,564 in 2025: up 25.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lower Paxton Township as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lower Paxton Township?
The median resident of Lower Paxton Township is 40.8 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 19.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 15.6%. 14.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lower Paxton Township | Dauphin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8±1.3 | 39.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.3%±1.6 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.0%±1.1 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Male | 47.9%±1.4 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.2%±2.0 pts | 11.8% | +2.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.2%±3.0 pts | 60.6% | −6.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 15.6%±2.5 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.6%±1.4 pts | 6.5% | +2.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±1.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.1%±1.6 pts | 9.8% | +3.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.2%±1.9 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 11.4%±1.1 pts | 14.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5%±1.9 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.1%±1.2 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.8%±2.6 pts | 34.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.1%±1.8 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.0%±2.1 pts | 87.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lower Paxton Township earn?
Half of Lower Paxton Township's 22,025 households earn less than $91,789 a year (±$2,998), against $76,242 in Dauphin County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 the median was $87,150 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,639 after inflation. 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lower Paxton Township | Dauphin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $91,789±$2,998 | $76,242 | +$4,639 |
| Mean household income | $116,457±$6,482 | $101,339 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,591±$2,800 | $42,294 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.1%±1.4 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.9%±2.9 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.8%±1.7 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9%±1.0 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3%±1.3 pts | 90.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lower Paxton Township?
Owners occupy 66.5% of Lower Paxton Township's occupied homes and renters 33.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $284,700 by its owner (±$10,158). The median renter pays $1,417 a month including utilities, and 35.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lower Paxton Township | Dauphin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $284,700±$10,158 | $236,400 | +$42,746 |
| Median gross rent | $1,417±$47 | $1,217 | +$119 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.4%±5.2 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,783±$90 | $1,660 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.5%±2.8 pts | 63.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 33.5%±2.8 pts | 36.9% | – |
| Housing units | 22,669±738 | 127,828 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±2.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.6%±2.5 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.7%±1.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.9%±1.6 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.2%±1.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lower Paxton Township building?
Builders took permits for 56 new housing units in Lower Paxton Township in 2025 (48 in single-family houses), 1.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Pennsylvania.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lower Paxton Township work and get to work?
69.5% of Lower Paxton Township's workers drive alone and 18.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Lower Paxton Township | Dauphin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.4%±1.9 pts | 64.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±0.9 pts | 4.5% | −1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 69.5%±2.7 pts | 68.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3%±1.7 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.9%±2.4 pts | 16.8% | +15.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.4 min±1.0 | 21.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Lower Paxton Township?
9 census tracts lie mostly in Lower Paxton Township (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $62,100 (Tract 226.06) to $137,043 (Tract 224.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 224.03Dauphin County | 7,510 | $75,775 |
| Tract 226.01Dauphin County | 6,855 | $96,837 |
| Tract 226.04Dauphin County | 6,753 | $111,690 |
| Tract 225.01Dauphin County | 6,486 | $134,432 |
| Tract 225.02Dauphin County | 6,000 | $89,762 |
| Tract 226.05Dauphin County | 5,984 | $79,722 |
| Tract 223Dauphin County | 5,425 | $67,594 |
| Tract 224.01Dauphin County | 5,289 | $137,043 |
| Tract 226.06Dauphin County | 4,355 | $62,100 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Lower Paxton Township) · Census block assignment files
How does Lower Paxton Township compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lower Paxton Township is the 131st-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 5th-most populous of 1,542 in Pennsylvania.
Lower Paxton Township ranks 613th of 2,136 places in Pennsylvania with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 1,542 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 195th | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 649th | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 613th | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 582nd | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 599th | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 388th | 1,963 |
| Poverty rate | 1,197th | 1,606 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 462nd | 2,129 |
| Median age | 1,501st | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,670th | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 368th | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 1,741st | 2,156 |
Lower Paxton Township's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Lower Paxton Township with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Lower Paxton Township?
7 of the 57 figures for Lower Paxton Township on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lower Paxton Township are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.