Hershey, PA โ City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Dauphin County ยท Pennsylvania
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Hershey based on 8 key metrics โ compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
14,334
2023 ACS
Median Income
$78,750
2023
Median Home Value
$339,300
2023
Median Rent
$1,241
2023
Median Age
45.2
Unemployment
4.4%
Cost of Living Index
125.6
100 = national avg
Hershey is a city in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 14,334 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Hershey is one of the communities in Pennsylvania.
The median household income in Hershey is $78,750, and the median home value is $339,300. The cost of living index is 125.6 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,241 per month. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, and the median age is 45.2 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
14,334
Male
6,873
47.9%
Female
7,461
52.1%
Median Age
45.2
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
35.2%
High School or Higher
46.9%
Foreign Born
13.9%
Veterans
4.0%
Married
44.5%
Avg Household Size
2.3
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.434
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
73.0%
Foreign Born
13.9%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
11.6%
1,666 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
88.4%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
13,886
English Only
81.5%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
1,309 speakers
Limited English
9.2%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
90.8%
Limited English Proficiency
9.2%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
569
4.0% of population
Disability Rate
19.0%
108 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$62,986
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
543
95.4%
Female Veterans
26
4.6%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$62,986
Non-Veteran Income
$49,409
Difference
$13,577
27.5% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
108
Without Disability
461
Disability Rate
19.0%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
11,754
#1 Ancestry
German
18.7% (2,679)
#2 Ancestry
Italian
12.8% (1,831)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
10.2% (1,465)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
5,595
Family Households
3,363
60.1%
Married Couples
2,588
46.3%
Non-Family Households
2,232
39.9%
Single Mother Households
597
10.7%
Single Father Households
178
3.2%
Living Alone
1,818
32.5%
Children Under 18
Total Children
2,405
In Married Couple
1,666
69.3%
With Single Mother
637
26.5%
With Single Father
102
4.2%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$118,257
Married Couple Income
$135,784
Single Mother Income
$63,482
Single Father Income
$91,250
Avg Family Size
2.3
Avg Non-Family Size
1.9
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
153
Grandparents Responsible
46
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$78,750
+8% vs national
Per Capita Income
$51,671
+39% vs national
Poverty Rate
9.0%
-34% vs national
Gini Index
0.4940
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
4.4%
-16% vs national
SNAP Recipients
4.7%
of households
How Hershey Compares
Hershey vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Hershey is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Hershey, PA has a median household income of $78,750, making it the 9,229th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher median household income than 67% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Hershey, PA has a per capita income of $51,671, making it the 4,090th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher per capita income than 85% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Hershey, PA has a poverty rate of 9.0%, making it the 18,067th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher poverty rate than 42% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Hershey, PA has a unemployment rate of 4.4%, making it the 13,419th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher unemployment rate than 57% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Hershey. The median household income here is $78,750.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
-15% vs PA avg
Labor Force
8,155
Employed
7,756
Mean Commute
13 min
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
35.2%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
46.9%
of adults 25+
Median Age
45.2
Work from Home
21.7%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area
Highest-Paying Job
General and Operations Managers
Top Median Wage
$98.0K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
125.6
100 = national avg
+25.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$55,281
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$130,665
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$1,212
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,493
per month
The median household income in Hershey, PA is $78,750, which is 7.5% above the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $51,671. The poverty rate of 9.0% is lower than the PA state average of 11.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4940, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, compared to the state average of 5.1%. The labor force is 8,155. 35.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 13 minutes, with 21.7% working from home. About 68.1% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 125.6, which is 25.6% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 159.6. A single adult needs to earn approximately $55,281 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin โ January 2026
Median Sale Price
$467,450
Median List Price
$369,950
Price Per Sq Ft
$189
Days on Market
14
Active Inventory
17
Months of Supply
2.8
Seller's market
Zillow Home Value
$387,757
ZHVI โ January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,349
ZORI โ January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
16.7%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
44.4%
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.7%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
6
New Listings
10
Pending Sales
9
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$189
Median List $/SF
$234
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Hershey, PA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, home prices have risen 354.0% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 94.0%. The 10-year growth rate is 83.1%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 52.9%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 12.3%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA housing market rather than Hershey alone.
Metro area: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Hershey vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 10,000 - 25,000 residents. Hershey is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Hershey, PA has a median home value of $339,300, making it the 5,938th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher median home value than 79% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Hershey, PA has a median rent of $1,241, making it the 6,210th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher median rent than 72% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Hershey, PA has a price per square foot of $189, making it the 8,892nd highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher price per square foot than 57% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Hershey, PA has a rent burden of 18.9%, making it the 10,421st highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Hershey has a higher rent burden than 52% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$339,300
Median Rent
$1,241
Total Housing Units
5,791
Vacancy Rate
3.4%
Owner Occupied
54.9%
Renter Occupied
45.1%
Median Property Tax
$4,755
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,573
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$4,755
per year
Effective Tax Rate
1.40%
of home value
Median Home Value
$339,300
Estimated Mean Tax
$5,137
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($4,755) by the median home value ($339,300). In Hershey, PA, this works out to an effective rate of 1.40%. This is above the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Hershey, PA is $467,450 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 14 days on the market. 16.7% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 2.8 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $189. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,349/month. About 54.9% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1970. There are 5,791 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $4,755. The effective tax rate is 1.40%, above the national average.
Crime data is not yet available for Hershey. The FBI UCR/NIBRS program does not cover all jurisdictions.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
91.1
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
90.7
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
37.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
96.6
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
22
Public Assistance
$57.3M
Individual Assistance
$22.2M
Most Common Type
Flood
7 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
Showing 20 of 25 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
5,245
Total Claims Paid
$86,089,209
Avg Claim Payout
$16,414
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
32
Federal Funding
$12,474,712
Properties Protected
128
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.80
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 26 | $8,225,397 |
| 800.1: Miscellaneous | 1 | $35,215 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $1,694,257 |
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 1 | $175,500 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine; 200.5: Acquisition of Vacant Land | 1 | $228,737 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Hershey has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are winter weather, strong wind, hurricane. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (7 declarations). 5,245 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $57,343,851 in public assistance recovery funding. $22,170,917 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 32 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
โ
Depression Rate
โ
Diabetes Rate
โ
Uninsured Rate
โ
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Hershey has an obesity rate of โ, which is .
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
5
Avg CMS Rating
4.5 / 5
Nearest Hospital
1.1 mi
Milton S Hershey Medical Cente...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton S Hershey Medical Center | 1.1 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital | 11.8 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 5/5 | Yes |
| Lebanon Va Medical Center | 11.8 mi | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | 5/5 | Yes |
| Upmc Pinnacle Hospitals | 11.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute | 13.2 mi | Psychiatric | โ | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
2
Pop. Served
112
Violations (5yr)
2
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| N ANNVILLE MHP | 72 | 0 |
| LAKESIDE MHP | 40 | 2 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
1
Total COโe
46.8K MT
Top Emitter
PENN STATE MILTON S HERSHEY MED CTR
46.8K MT COโe
Total COโe vs Similar Cities (10,000 - 25,000)
| Facility | Sector | COโe (MT) |
|---|---|---|
PENN STATE MILTON S HERSHEY MED CTR The Pennsylvania State University | Other | 46,847 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons COโe/year.
There are 2 water systems serving the area. 2 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 1 industrial facility reports greenhouse gas emissions totaling 46.8K metric tons of COโe.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Mean Commute
13 min
-44% vs national
Drive Alone
68.1%
-13% vs national
Public Transit
0.5%
-50% vs national
Work From Home
21.7%
+133% vs national
Carpool
3.5%
Walk / Bike
5.4%
combined
How Hershey's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
The average commute in Hershey, PA is 13 minutes, which is 43.6% below the national average of 23 minutes. 68.1% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 21.7% work from home, which is above the PA state average of 8.9%. 3.5% of workers carpool. 4.6% walk to work. 0.8% commute by bicycle.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
89.6%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
81.3%
of households
No Internet
6.7%
of households
Total Households
5,595
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
93.2%
of households
Smartphone
87.0%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
86.5%
of households
Tablet
70.4%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
17.8ยข
per kWh
-7% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
Commercial Rate
11.0ยข
per kWh
-29% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
Industrial Rate
7.9ยข
per kWh
-34% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$145
residential
-1% vs 10,000 - 25,000 avg
4% above the national average of 17.1ยข/kWh
Residential electricity in Pennsylvania averages 17.8ยข per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1ยข. The average monthly electric bill is $145. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Hershey vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (10,000 - 25,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (ยข/kWh)
Commercial Rate (ยข/kWh)
Industrial Rate (ยข/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
2
Population Served
112
Violations (5yr)
2
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N ANNVILLE MHP | Community | Ground water | 72 | 0 |
| LAKESIDE MHP | Community | Ground water | 40 | 2 |
89.6% of households in Hershey have broadband internet access. 81.3% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 6.5% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 6.7% of households have no internet access. The area is served by 2 water systems, providing water to 112 people. A total of 2 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Hershey is located in Dauphin County, PA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Hershey.
Election Overview
Source: Dauphin County (2024)2024 Winner
Democrat
Dem Votes
78,327
52.4%
GOP Votes
69,474
46.5%
Total Votes
149,526
Margin
D+5.9%
Shift from 2020
R+2.6pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78,327 | 69,474 | 149,526 | 52.4% | 46.5% | D+5.9 |
| 2020 | 78,983 | 66,408 | 147,368 | 53.6% | 45.1% | D+8.5 |
| 2016 | 64,287 | 60,620 | 130,160 | 49.4% | 46.6% | D+2.8 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Dauphin County recorded 149,526 total votes. Democrats won the county with 52.4% of the vote compared to 46.5% for Republicans, a margin of D+5.9%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+2.6pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Dauphin County has shifted 3.1 percentage points toward Democrats.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
168
Total Assets
$30.3B
Total Income
$11.0B
Per 10K Residents
117.2
nonprofits
+24.2% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
55
Median Assets
$1.1M
Oldest Active
1930
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $30.1B of $30.3B total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 10,000 - 25,000
Largest Nonprofits in Hershey
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFHershey, PA has 168 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $30.3B. The most common category is Philanthropy & Grantmaking, with 31 organizations. 55 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 117.2 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1930.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
143
Total Approved
$36.1M
Jobs Supported
797
Per 10K Residents
99.8
SBA loans
-2.8% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
33
Top Lender
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
30 loans
Top Industry
Accommodation & Food Services
Data Span
1994โ2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
131
Total Amount
$27.9M
Avg Loan
$212,941
Median Loan
$95,000
SBA Guaranteed
$20.5M(73%)
Jobs Supported
644
Loans
12
Total Amount
$8.2M
Avg Loan
$682,417
Median Loan
$534,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
32
22% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$9.4M
26% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$292,906
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 10,000 - 25,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Inn & Suites - Hershey Chocolate Avenue | 1 | $2.4M |
| Laxmi Vishnu Llc | 2 | $1.8M |
| 26 Chocolate Ave Llc | 1 | $1.8M |
| Vora Inc | 1 | $1.8M |
| Chocolate Avenue Hotel Llc | 1 | $1.7M |
| Devkripa Managements Corporation | 1 | $1.3M |
| Sunrise Motor Inn Llc | 1 | $1.3M |
| Cocoa Cinemas Llc | 1 | $900K |
| Obda & Co. | 1 | $855K |
| Dt Llc | 2 | $845K |
Hershey, PA has received 143 SBA loans totaling $36.1M in approved funding between 1994 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 131 loans (92% of the total), supporting 644 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 12 loans totaling $8.2M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Hershey is Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company with 30 loans. That works out to 99.8 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
15
Total Population
251,912
Avg Median Income
-$88,818,175
Avg Home Value
-$88,672,855
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17003 | 11,932 | $87,350 | $242,200 | $1,088 | 42.7 |
| 17010 | 170 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| 17022 | 32,066 | $79,075 | $272,700 | $1,381 | 55.0 |
| 17028 | 3,331 | $66,754 | $261,700 | $1,026 | 27.4 |
| 17033 | 17,009 | $75,093 | $340,900 | $1,311 | 27.4 |
| 17034 | 2,988 | $51,717 | $120,100 | $993 | 0.8 |
| 17036 | 22,487 | $105,043 | $316,900 | $1,362 | 28.1 |
| 17041 | 254 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.6 |
| 17057 | 23,143 | $70,536 | $187,300 | $1,122 | 31.1 |
| 17064 | 738 | $123,333 | $360,000 | $1,317 | 1.9 |
| 17078 | 23,798 | $84,533 | $278,300 | $1,252 | 30.1 |
| 17109 | 27,422 | $70,618 | $203,200 | $1,234 | 7.0 |
| 17111 | 35,818 | $84,314 | $225,500 | $1,309 | 18.4 |
| 17112 | 38,970 | $101,784 | $290,400 | $1,400 | 69.6 |
| 17113 | 11,786 | $60,554 | $141,300 | $1,091 | 4.2 |
Hershey, PA has 15 ZIP codes with a combined population of 251,912. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$88,818,175. The average median home value is -$88,672,855. The average median monthly rent is -$88,887,830.
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