Financial security covers poverty rates, personal incomes, unemployment rates, homeownership and rental costs, and transportation options. Data from Lancaster County indicates both strengths and challenges: while overall poverty rates and the need for some forms of public assistance are below aggregate state rates, rents are somewhat higher, housing is somewhat less affordable, and there are clear racial, ethnic, and household-type disparities in many financial security indicators.

Income, Employment and Poverty

While Lancaster County’s overall poverty rate in 2018-22 of 8% was below the state and nation, poverty was much higher in some groups: 19% of Lancaster City residents lived below the poverty line.

Poverty rates among Hispanic residents were over twice the rates for White residents. Similar trends were seen for children, with 23% of Hispanic children in poverty. Rates for African American residents appeared similar to Hispanic rates, but were subject to a larger margin of error in measurement and cannot be precisely indicated.

Poverty was relatively low among veterans, at 5%, and among those employed, at 2%.

Median incomes in Lancaster County in 2018-22 differed significantly by household type:

• Single women with children had the lowest median incomes: $36,500, compared to $60,500 for single men with children.

• Married couples without children had a median income of $102,000, compared to $114,300 for those with children.

• In the City of Lancaster, incomes for all groups were lower than Lancaster County as a whole.

In 2018-22, median incomes in Lancaster County were highest among Asian and White residents and lowest among Hispanic and African American residents, who were earning less than 75% of median White incomes.

Living wage represents the income level a household needs to pay for necessities, including housing and food, without outside assistance. Lancaster County’s living wage levels in 2021 were on par with Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties, and slightly below Chester County. Living wages differed based on household types:

• Family of four with two earners: $22.69/hr ($96.300/yr)
• Family of four with one earner: $36.26/hr ($75.400/yr)
• Single parent with two children: $39.5/hr ($82.100/yr)

In 2018-22, unemployment rates in the county showed racial and ethnic disparities: 7.6% of African American and 6.8% of Hispanic residents of Lancaster County were unemployed, compared to 2.9% of white residents.

Public Assistance

Public programs help the unemployed and others in need. While a small share of Lancaster County households receive cash assistance, a higher level participates in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps).

In 2018-22, about 27% of African American and 28% of Hispanic residents in the county utilized SNAP benefits, compared to 6% of white residents and 8% of Asians receiving SNAP. The City of Lancaster had higher rates for every group during this period.

In 2018-22, 3% of Lancaster County households received public assistance income.  This level was up from 2.8% in 2008-12.

In 2023, 52% of students in Lancaster County were eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, below the statewide rate of 60%.

Housing

Housing costs, including both homeownership and rent, were somewhat higher in Lancaster County than the state average, and than most surrounding counties.

In 2018-22, the median home value for Lancaster County was $263,600, above the statewide median of $226,200 and below the national median of $281,900. This represents a 9% increase since 2008-12, compared to a 8% state and 22% national increase.

In 2017-21, homes in Lancaster County were somewhat unaffordable, and less affordable than the Pennsylvania average, with a high ratio of home value to median household income across all racial and ethnic groups.

Homeownership rates varied by race and ethnicity. In Lancaster County in 2018-22, homeownership rates were:

• 73% among White residents
• 61% among Asian residents
• 44% among Hispanic or Latino residents
• 36% among African American residents

In the City of Lancaster, homeownership levels were below county and state levels:

• 54% among White residents
• 41% of Asian residents
• 41% of Hispanic or Latino residents
• 29% of African Americans residents

In 2018-22, the median monthly rent in Lancaster County was $1,200, higher than the $1,100 statewide median, but lower than the $1,270 national median. This reflects a 12% increase since 2008-12. The City of Lancaster, with a median monthly rent of $1,100, has also increased 16% since 2008-12.

In 2018-22, Lancaster County renters spent 27% of their income on rent, slightly below the state and nation (30% and 31% respectively). Renting was least affordable for residents in the City of Lancaster, where renters spent 30% of their income on rent in 2018-22, down from 37% in 2008-12.

Transportation

Transportation options are a measure of personal wealth and important for social participation, including access to employment opportunities. Lancaster County has slightly lower rates of vehicle ownership than most surrounding counties and shows racial disparities in transportation utilization.

In 2018-2, 9% of Lancaster County households did not have a vehicle, the same as the 2008-12 rate. This is below the state rate of 11% and slightly above the national rate of 8%. In the City of Lancaster, 16% of households lacked access to a vehicle. This is down from 22% in 2008-12.

In 2018-22, White and Asian residents of Lancaster County report the highest levels of driving alone to work, 82% and 86%, respectively. In comparison, 72% of African Americans, and 76% of Hispanics report driving alone to work. Both African Americans and Hispanic residents report higher rates of carpooling and public transportation compared to White and Asian residents.