Our Approach Is Data-Informed and Community-Influenced
Our approach is both data-informed and community-influenced. We begin by analyzing objective data sources, including census trends, migration patterns, housing supply, and local income levels, to understand what is happening in our communities. We then pair that analysis with direct input from residents, employers, municipal leaders, and service providers through surveys, deliberative forums, and stakeholder conversations.
This combination ensures that our work is grounded in evidence while also reflecting lived experience. By using data to identify trends and community voices to shape solutions, we are able to develop strategies that are both practical and responsive to local needs.
We use data to understand the “what” and “why,” and community engagement to clarify the “why” and shape the “how.” This ensures that solutions reflect both objective trends and the priorities of the people who live and work here.
Population Changes
Explore interactive visualizations that uncover insights, reveal trends, and help guide smart decisions. Our charts and graphs turn numbers into narratives—helping you understand and explore key information at a glance.
Understanding Population Growth in Adams County
Adams County, like many communities along Pennsylvania’s southern border, is experiencing population growth. An important question behind that growth is whether it is driven by internal growth (local families having children) or external growth (individuals and families moving into the county). To better understand these trends, we examined three key data sources.
American Community Survey (2010–2024)
The American Community Survey shows overall population growth patterns in Adams County over time, as illustrated in the chart above.
Pennsylvania Vital Statistics (2023)
Birth and death data provide insight into natural population change. In 2023, Adams County recorded 922 live births and 1,208 deaths, meaning deaths exceeded births. This indicates that population growth is not occurring through internal growth.
IRS Migration Data (2023)
Migration data helps explain the source of population increases. In 2023, Adams County had 4,745 individuals moving into the county (tax filers and dependents who previously lived in another county or state) and 3,867 individuals moving out. This positive net migration demonstrates that population growth is being driven primarily by people moving into the county rather than natural population increase.
Together, these data show that Adams County’s growth is largely the result of in-migration, which has important implications for housing, workforce, infrastructure, and community planning.
Understanding Population Changes; Who is coming in and who is leaving?
American Community Survey data from 2010 to 2023 shows a clear shift in Adams County’s age distribution. The population age 55–64 grew by 26%, and residents age 65 and older increased by 49%. At the same time, the number of adults in prime working years (ages 35–54) declined by 18%, children under age 5 decreased by 14%, and school-age children (5–18) declined by 6%.
These changes are reflected in the county’s age dependency ratio, which is 70.2 compared to 64.4 nationally. The age dependency ratio measures the number of individuals typically not in the workforce (children and older adults) compared to those in working-age years. It is used to understand the level of economic and social support needed within a community.
A higher ratio indicates that fewer working-age adults are supporting more dependents, which has important implications for workforce availability, housing needs, healthcare demand, and community services as the population continues to age.
Workforce Commuting Patterns
Approximately 67% of employed Adams County residents commute outside the county for work. When combined with an aging population and a shrinking number of working-age adults, this trend contributes to a growing workforce shortage. Employers in key local industries—particularly tourism and agriculture—are already feeling the impact. In addition, as the population ages, demand for healthcare, caregiving, and support services is increasing, requiring even more workers. These combined trends highlight the need for strategies that both attract and retain workers, while ensuring housing and transportation options support a stable local workforce.
Housing Data Tells a Story
Housing data across Adams County points to a growing mismatch between what exists and what residents need. Fair Market Rent has increased by 75%, with the most dramatic jump, a 35% increase, occurring between 2020 and 2025.
At the same time, median home prices have risen by 80%, while median incomes have grown by only 43%, making it increasingly difficult for households to keep pace.
Adams County now has higher median sales prices than neighboring Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties, even as 67% of employed residents leave the county for work, limiting the ability of local wages to support local housing costs.
With a vacancy rate of just 1.3%, the limited supply further intensifies competition and drives prices higher.
Yet despite these pressures, much of our new housing development continues to focus on larger homes, even though 65% of households are one or two people and 74% of existing housing—and nearly all new construction—is three or more bedrooms.
Together, these trends highlight the need for more smaller, attainable starter and senior homes that better reflect the changing demographics of our community.