Moving to Lancaster: Pros, Cons & What to Know
Moving to Lancaster means moving to a real, small, historically walkable Pennsylvania city undergoing a genuine downtown revival -- while understanding that its county's real, internationally recognized Amish-country identity is a distinct, surrounding-county story, not the city itself.
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Learn moreA real, small city with a genuine downtown-revival identity
Lancaster city's population runs approximately 57,000-59,000 depending on source and vintage -- genuinely small, but anchored by Franklin & Marshall College (founded 1787), Central Market (chartered 1730, America's oldest continuously-operated public farmers' market), and an active downtown arts/dining/nightlife scene.
Understand the real, elevated city-specific property-tax rate before you commit to a neighborhood
This record discloses a real, notable finding: effective property-tax rates specifically WITHIN Lancaster city (roughly 2.16%-2.88% by ZIP) run well above both the Lancaster County average (1.17%-1.32%) and Pennsylvania's own statewide average (1.26%), because city parcels stack full City + School District + County millage.
Budget for Lancaster's real, additional local tax layer
On top of Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% state income tax, City of Lancaster residents pay a combined 1.6% Earned Income Tax (1.1% City + 0.5% School District of Lancaster) and a flat $52/year Local Services Tax for anyone employed within city limits -- both collected by the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau.
Know the difference between Lancaster city and Lancaster County's Amish-country identity
Lancaster County's real, internationally recognized Amish/Pennsylvania Dutch community (approximately 38,000-44,315 residents) is centered in the COUNTY's surrounding townships -- Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, Ronks, Strasburg, Paradise -- genuinely distinct from Lancaster city's own separate urban identity and demographics.
Key takeaways
- Lancaster city's population runs approximately 57,000-59,000, anchored by a real downtown-revival identity distinct from the county's Amish-country draw.
- Effective property-tax rates specifically inside city limits (2.16%-2.88%) run genuinely higher than the county or statewide Pennsylvania average.
- Budget for Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% state income tax plus Lancaster's own 1.6% combined local EIT and $52/year Local Services Tax.
- Lancaster County's Amish community is centered in surrounding townships, not Lancaster city proper.
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