Metro area profile · Pennsylvania
Lancaster, PA metro area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Lancaster metro area, each scored against other metro areas.
- Population, 2025
- 563,159
- +1.9% since 2020
- Households
- 212,748
- Median household income
- $86,959
- +31.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $301,100
- Jobs located here
- 258,003
- Highest market score
- 79
- Restaurants and cafes, #19 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Lancaster metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Lancaster metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 563,159 people live in the Lancaster metro area, in 212,748 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Lancaster metro area from 2020 to 2025 at +1.9%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Lancaster metro area is $86,959 a year, 8% above the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 31.6% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Lancaster metro area spend the most on clothing, shoes and related services (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on pets (74).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Lancaster metro area are for restaurants and cafes (79), fast food and sandwich shops (79) and sit-down restaurants (78). The Lancaster metro area ranks #19 of 387 scored metro areas for restaurants and cafes.
The Lancaster metro area is made up of one county, Lancaster County. For its number of households, the Lancaster metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for roofing and gutter companies (81% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for gas stations (60% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Lancaster metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Lancaster metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and cafes | 79 | #19 of 387 | 1,883 | 88.5 | $467K | 126 | 808 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 79 | #28 of 387 | 193 | 9.1 | $4.6M | 149 | 366 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 78 | #18 of 387 | 927 | 43.6 | $950K | 143 | 319 |
| Dry cleaners | 77 | #15 of 272 | 19 | 0.9 | $26.1M | 167 | 12 |
| Spas and skin care | 76 | #13 of 387 | 146 | 6.9 | $1.5M | 174 | 36 |
| Convenience stores | 76 | #33 of 387 | 148 | 7.0 | $10M | 127 | 27 |
| Child care and preschools | 73 | #40 of 387 | 96 | 4.5 | $1.3M | 133 | 100 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 72 | #33 of 387 | 503 | 23.6 | Index only | 144 | 125 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 71 | #31 of 387 | 77 | 3.6 | $2.7M | 132 | 39 |
| Oil change and quick lube | 71 | #40 of 290 | 8 | 0.4 | $24.2M | 176 | 9 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 70 | #33 of 387 | 234 | 11.0 | $877K | 132 | 97 |
| Property management | 70 | #37 of 374 | 50 | 2.4 | Index only | 143 | 79 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 69 | #38 of 347 | 28 | 1.3 | $7.3M | 180 | 58 |
| Real estate | 69 | #41 of 387 | 653 | 30.7 | Index only | 140 | 299 |
| Gyms | 67 | #53 of 387 | 129 | 6.1 | $1.6M | 122 | 58 |
| Pizza | 66 | #87 of 387 | 165 | 7.8 | $5.3M | 105 | 366 |
| Laundromats | 64 | #96 of 364 | 38 | 1.8 | $13.1M | 104 | 10 |
| Gas stations | 64 | #103 of 387 | 93 | 4.4 | $4.8M | 201 | 146 |
| Home inspectors | 62 | #57 of 243 | 19 | 0.9 | Index only | 79 | 7 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 62 | #91 of 387 | 126 | 5.9 | $5.5M | 116 | 207 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 62 | #116 of 387 | 475 | 22.3 | $1M | 119 | 197 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 61 | #115 of 387 | 123 | 5.8 | $2.1M | 121 | 234 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 61 | #122 of 387 | 337 | 15.8 | $1.5M | 116 | 175 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 60 | #112 of 387 | 1,517 | 71.3 | $174K | 114 | 613 |
| Funeral homes | 59 | #126 of 377 | 48 | 2.3 | $762K | 112 | 30 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 58 | #105 of 387 | 841 | 39.5 | $264K | 124 | 300 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 58 | #143 of 387 | 428 | 20.1 | $3.5M | 102 | 143 |
| Pest control | 57 | #121 of 345 | 26 | 1.2 | $10.9M | 106 | 21 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 57 | #123 of 373 | 81 | 3.8 | Index only | 125 | 36 |
| Tire shops | 57 | #157 of 386 | 71 | 3.3 | $2.7M | 109 | 26 |
| Hair salons | 56 | #129 of 387 | 453 | 21.3 | $491K | 114 | 174 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 56 | #138 of 387 | 221 | 10.4 | $1.2M | 122 | 181 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 56 | #141 of 387 | 220 | 10.3 | $4M | 108 | 117 |
| Insurance agencies | 56 | #153 of 387 | 247 | 11.6 | $1.4M | 113 | 149 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | 55 | #77 of 197 | 9 | 0.4 | $29.4M | 120 | 16 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 54 | #153 of 386 | 77 | 3.6 | $3.4M | 109 | 35 |
| House cleaning | 53 | #150 of 375 | 37 | 1.7 | $7.6M | 119 | 135 |
| Barbershops | 53 | #167 of 387 | 115 | 5.4 | $1.9M | 103 | 13 |
| Nail salons | 49 | #197 of 387 | 113 | 5.3 | $2M | 118 | 72 |
| Grocery stores | 47 | #218 of 387 | 152 | 7.1 | $9.7M | 105 | 116 |
| Physical therapy | 46 | #218 of 386 | 121 | 5.7 | $2.2M | 91 | 77 |
| Home repair trades | 45 | #227 of 387 | 336 | 15.8 | $2.1M | 85 | 462 |
| Electricians | 45 | #231 of 383 | 72 | 3.4 | $9.7M | 81 | 161 |
| Chiropractors | 43 | #237 of 386 | 115 | 5.4 | $2.3M | 96 | 70 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 42 | #266 of 387 | 253 | 11.9 | $3.5M | 84 | 148 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 39 | #274 of 387 | 203 | 9.5 | $1.4M | 83 | 402 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 34 | #308 of 386 | 71 | 3.3 | $2M | 79 | 44 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 33 | #300 of 385 | 140 | 6.6 | $2M | 69 | 246 |
| Roofing and gutters | 32 | #322 of 381 | 138 | 6.5 | $5M | 60 | 94 |
| Pet stores | 29 | #337 of 382 | 65 | 3.1 | $2.2M | 49 | 13 |
| Auto repair and car care | 26 | #347 of 387 | 832 | 39.1 | $233K | 87 | 469 |
| Veterinarians | 26 | #348 of 384 | 74 | 3.5 | $1.9M | 71 | 60 |
| Pet businesses | 24 | #361 of 387 | 255 | 12.0 | $562K | 64 | 117 |
| Auto repair shops | 22 | #363 of 387 | 528 | 24.8 | $367K | 82 | 367 |
| Car washes and detailing | 22 | #368 of 387 | 109 | 5.1 | $1.8M | 71 | 55 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 20 | #359 of 381 | 88 | 4.1 | $2.2M | 71 | 84 |
Household spending in the Lancaster metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $193.7M | $910 | 95 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $446.1M | $2,097 | 81 |
| Food away from home | $880.2M | $4,137 | 102 |
| Groceries | $1.5B | $6,941 | 110 |
| Personal care products and services | $222.3M | $1,045 | 104 |
| Child care and other personal services | $127.9M | $601 | 104 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $205.2M | $964 | 98 |
| Medical and dental services | $264.2M | $1,242 | 96 |
| Pets | $143.3M | $673 | 74 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $496M | $2,331 | 113 |
| Vehicle insurance | $350.5M | $1,647 | 84 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $696M | $3,271 | 108 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $282.2M | $1,326 | 94 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $4B | $18,614 | 112 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Lancaster metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 563,159+1.9% since 2020
- Households
- 212,748
- Median age
- 40.5
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 70%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.8
- Land area
- 944 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 591
- Median household income
- $86,959+31.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $112,346
- Median home value
- $301,100
- Jobs located here
- 258,003
- Daytime population
- 553,680Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Lancaster metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Lancaster metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Lancaster metro area 1
- Lancaster County, PA557,931 people
Other markets based in Pennsylvania 12
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area6,272,014 people
- Pittsburgh, PA metro area2,439,940 people
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area873,603 people
- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area604,155 people
- Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area569,788 people
- York-Hanover, PA metro area462,924 people
- Reading, PA metro area433,015 people
- Erie, PA metro area269,052 people
- State College, PA metro area158,576 people
- Chambersburg, PA metro area157,379 people
- Lebanon, PA metro area144,186 people
- Johnstown, PA metro area131,538 people
Questions
How fast is the Lancaster, PA metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Lancaster metro area at 563,159 people in 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 212,748 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 31.6%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Lancaster, PA metro area spend?
Households in the Lancaster metro area spend about $4B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $1.5B on groceries and $880.2M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Lancaster metro area runs highest on clothing, shoes and related services (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on pets (74).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Lancaster, PA metro area?
Of the business types scored in the Lancaster metro area, restaurants and cafes (79), fast food and sandwich shops (79) and sit-down restaurants (78) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For restaurants and cafes, that ranks #19 of 387 scored metro areas.
How does the Lancaster, PA metro area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Lancaster metro area is $86,959, 8% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.9% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $301,100, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for roofing and gutter companies (81% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for gas stations (60% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. All 56 business types have a score in the Lancaster metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Lancaster metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Pennsylvania · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Lancaster metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Lancaster metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.