County · Pennsylvania
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Dauphin County had 293,351 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). It holds 55 places (17 cities, villages and boroughs, 23 towns and townships and 15 census-designated) and 67 census tracts. GEOID 42043.
Dauphin County is one of the 3 counties of the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
293,351
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 286,401 · ACS 2020-2024: 289,593
Median household income
$76,242
±$1,935 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$236,400
±$3,814 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,217
±$26 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
How many people live in Dauphin County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 286,401 residents in Dauphin County. The Census Bureau estimates 293,351 for July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 289,593 over 525 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dauphin County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 289,593 | 13,018,639 | +13,961 |
| Households | 121,358±730 | 5,274,853 | +9,146 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.01 | 2.39 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 127,828±159 | 5,806,452 | +3,504 |
Dauphin County's population since 2000
From 251,798 in 2000 to 293,351 in 2025: up 16.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Dauphin County?
Dauphin County holds 55 places: 17 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 23 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 15 census-designated places. The largest is Lower Paxton Township with 55,564 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lower Paxton Township | 53,501 | $91,789 |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,099 | $48,099 |
| Swatara Township, Dauphin County | 27,824 | $80,444 |
| Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County | 26,736 | $84,832 |
| Derry Township, Dauphin County | 24,715 | $97,025 |
| Colonial Park | 16,243 | $73,105 |
| Hershey | 13,858 | $78,587 |
| Progress | 11,168 | $73,030 |
| West Hanover Township | 10,697 | $89,183 |
| Middletown, Dauphin County | 9,533 | $55,765 |
| Lower Swatara Township | 9,531 | $87,163 |
| South Hanover Township | 7,209 | $117,585 |
| Linglestown | 6,539 | $92,558 |
| Steelton | 6,263 | $58,194 |
| East Hanover Township, Dauphin County | 6,019 | $99,922 |
| Rutherford | 5,765 | $83,636 |
| Paxtonia | 5,450 | $102,594 |
| Middle Paxton Township | 5,048 | $80,391 |
| Lawnton | 4,967 | $84,861 |
| Londonderry Township, Dauphin County | 4,899 | $91,905 |
| Hummelstown | 4,544 | $63,175 |
| Skyline View | 4,410 | $97,982 |
| Upper Paxton Township | 4,010 | $58,105 |
| Halifax Township | 3,349 | $70,854 |
| Penbrook | 3,274 | $62,312 |
| Conewago Township, Dauphin County | 2,952 | $108,083 |
| Highspire | 2,741 | $52,618 |
| Millersburg | 2,545 | $54,421 |
| Washington Township, Dauphin County | 2,129 | $80,682 |
| Lykens | 1,873 | $73,318 |
| Jackson Township, Dauphin County | 1,827 | $95,515 |
| Paxtang | 1,648 | $87,083 |
| Lykens Township | 1,559 | $72,679 |
| BresslerGEOID 4208432 | 1,512 | $76,181 |
| Elizabethville | 1,357 | $68,864 |
| Palmdale | 1,308 | $62,628 |
| Williamstown | 1,303 | $61,757 |
| Wayne Township, Dauphin County | 1,266 | $122,417 |
| Wiconisco Township | 1,159 | $68,438 |
| Royalton | 1,138 | $67,500 |
| Williams Township, Dauphin County | 1,067 | $78,182 |
| EnhautGEOID 4223704 | 1,022 | $73,836 |
| Wiconsico | 844 | $71,250 |
| Mifflin Township, Dauphin County | 816 | $81,071 |
| Halifax | 796 | $53,472 |
| Dauphin | 795 | $45,625 |
| Gratz | 743 | not published |
| OberlinGEOID 4256264 | 670 | $125,809 |
| LenkervilleGEOID 4242704 | 504 | not published |
| Union DepositGEOID 4278472 | 418 | $118,051 |
| Jefferson Township, Dauphin County | 360 | $111,875 |
| BerrysburgGEOID 4205856 | 326 | $61,964 |
| Pillow | 292 | $73,438 |
| Reed Township | 230 | $80,417 |
| Rush Township, Dauphin CountyGEOID 4204366744 | 228 | $76,728 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Dauphin County?
The median resident of Dauphin County is 39.4 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 60.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.3%. 9.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dauphin County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4±0.3 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.3% | 20.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.8% | 8.7% | +2.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 60.6%±0.3 pts | 73.0% | −5.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.3%±0.3 pts | 10.3% | −1.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.5%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | +2.1 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 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 | 4.1%±0.4 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.8%±0.5 pts | 7.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.8%±0.7 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±0.5 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±0.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±0.6 pts | 5.6% | +1.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.2%±0.7 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.4%±1.1 pts | 35.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.8%±0.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
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 Dauphin County earn?
Half of Dauphin County's 121,358 households earn less than $76,242 a year (±$1,935), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $74,722 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dauphin County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,242±$1,935 | $77,971 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $101,339±$2,700 | $107,538 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,294±$1,041 | $44,355 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±0.9 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.7%±2.0 pts | 15.6% | −3.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.3%±1.0 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3%±0.8 pts | 89.7% | – |
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 Dauphin County?
Owners occupy 63.1% of Dauphin County's occupied homes and renters 36.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $236,400 by its owner (±$3,814). The median renter pays $1,217 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dauphin County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $236,400±$3,814 | $254,500 | +$29,767 |
| Median gross rent | $1,217±$26 | $1,209 | +$49 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8%±2.2 pts | 39.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,660±$33 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.1%±0.9 pts | 69.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 127,828±159 | 5,806,452 | +3,504 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.5%±1.0 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.1%±0.9 pts | 25.0% | – |
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 Dauphin County building?
Builders took permits for 329 new housing units across Dauphin County in 2025 (180 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Dauphin County get to work?
68.5% of Dauphin County's workers drive alone and 16.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Dauphin County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.6%±0.8 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.5%±1.3 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.2%±0.7 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.8%±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.8%±1.1 pts | 15.6% | +11.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.5 min±0.5 | 26.3 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 are Dauphin County's census tracts?
Dauphin County is divided into 67 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $24,792 (Tract 216) to $170,556 (Tract 241.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Dauphin County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 12th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 67 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 67 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 12th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th of 67 |
| Median age | 63rd of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Dauphin County 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.