Living in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hershey · Census data 2020–2024

Hershey has 14,242 residents with a median age of 38.6. The median household income is $78,587 (about the same as the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $379,200, the median rent is $1,268/month.

Hershey at a glance

Population
14,242
Median age
38.6State: 40.9
Median household income
$78,587State: $77,971
Median home value
$379,200State: $254,500
Median rent
$1,268/moState: $1,209
Homeowners
53.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
50.2%
Average commute
16 min

Is Hershey a good place to live?

Pros: Median household income about the same as the Pennsylvania median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%.

Cons: Home values 49% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 17.6%.

The weather is best in May–June and August–September.

Cost of living in Hershey

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hershey the median home value is $379,200, 14% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,268 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,315 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Hershey$379,200
Pennsylvania$254,500
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Hershey$1,268
Pennsylvania$1,209
United States$1,413

Hershey median household income

The median household income in Hershey is $78,587 and the income per person is $49,882. 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).

Median household income

Hershey$78,587
Pennsylvania$77,971
United States$80,734

Housing in Hershey: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
5,982
Owner-occupied
53.7%
Renter-occupied
46.3%
Vacant
3.2%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1970
Average household size
2.17

Hershey demographics

Population
14,242
Median age
38.6
Under 18
16.9%
65 and older
21.2%
Households
5,791
Foreign-born
13.1%
Veterans
4.5%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White69.6%
Hispanic or Latino12.9%
Black5.9%
Asian8.6%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hershey ›

Education in Hershey

50.2% of adults 25 and older in Hershey have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 21.3% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Hershey50.2%
Pennsylvania35.2%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Hershey

Unemployment rate
4.6%State: 5.3%
Average commute
16 minState: 26 min
Work from home
16.4%
Drive alone
63.7%
Public transit
0.3%
Walk to work
8.2%
Homes with broadband
92.1%

Hershey vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Hershey14,242$78,587$379,200$1,268
Derry24,977$97,025$390,000$1,361
Palmdale1,542$62,628$261,400$1,436
Union Deposit808$118,051$275,000$1,799
Campbelltown6,092$119,175$349,500$1,595
Palmyra7,755$77,469$227,500$1,084
South Hanover7,289$117,585$393,400$1,764
Hummelstown4,527$63,175$245,100$1,133
North Londonderry8,956$108,548$309,100$1,542

More for people moving to Hershey

Hershey ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Hershey: FAQ

What is the median household income in Hershey, PA?

The median household income in Hershey is $78,587, about the same as the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Hershey?

The median home value in Hershey is $379,200, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.

How much is rent in Hershey?

The median gross rent in Hershey is $1,268 per month, about 28.4% of household income.

Is Hershey, PA a good place to live?

Pluses: median household income about the same as the Pennsylvania median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%. Minuses: home values 49% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 17.6%.

What is the median age in Hershey?

The median age in Hershey is 38.6 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).

How long is the commute in Hershey?

The average commute to work in Hershey is 16 minutes; 16.4% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Hershey?

The unemployment rate in Hershey is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Hershey?

50.2% of adults in Hershey have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

Last updated: