Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Cumberland County, PA had a population of 259,469. The median age is 42.1 years. Females make up 51% and males 49% of residents. The county is 86.8% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 3.6% Asian, and 4.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race). The remaining population includes two or more races (3.6%) and other races (0.8%).
Elections
Cumberland County, PA, has over 180,000 registered voters as of 2024, with Republicans making up about 47%, Democrats 37%, and Independents/others 16%. The county conducts primary, general, and special elections, overseen by the Bureau of Elections. In the 2020 presidential election, turnout was roughly 80%, with Republicans securing 57% of the vote and Democrats 41%. There are approximately 118 polling locations. Key issues include property taxes and infrastructure. Administration ensures compliance with state laws, and both major parties are active locally, often vying closely in municipal and school board races.
Education, Employment and Housing
Cumberland County, PA, is home to over 10 public high schools and several private schools, with graduation rates above 90%. Approximately 39% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The county includes branches of Harrisburg Area Community College and Shippensburg University. SchoolDigger scores local schools an average of 4/5 for academic performance and safety. There are multiple adult education programs, vocational schools, and Advanced Placement (AP) offerings. Local districts emphasize STEM and career-readiness initiatives, making Cumberland County’s educational system robust and diverse.
As of 2023, Cumberland County, PA, has an unemployment rate of around 3.3%. The workforce is primarily employed in healthcare (17%), retail trade (13%), manufacturing (11%), and public administration (8%). Major occupations include office and administrative support (14%), sales (11%), and management (10%). Approximately 87% of workers commute by car, with a mean travel time of 23.7 minutes. Key employment centers include Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Harrisburg, with over 60% of county residents working within the county and about 30% commuting to neighboring Dauphin County.
Cumberland County, PA, has a homeownership rate of approximately 70%, with median home values around $280,000 in 2024. Median rent is roughly $1,350/month. The area features various housing types, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, with most homes built after 1980. Popular neighborhoods include Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and Camp Hill. The property market has seen 7% annual value growth recently. Property tax rates average 1.2% of assessed value, translating to about $3,360 annually for a median-priced home. The region’s diverse housing and stable market attract both families and professionals.
County Crime & Safety
Cumberland County, PA, generally reports lower crime rates compared to state and national averages. In 2023, the violent crime rate was approximately 1.3 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate stood at 8.7 per 1,000. Local law enforcement received around 8,200 crime reports yearly, with theft and burglary being the most common. The county’s proactive community policing and public safety initiatives contribute to its reputation as one of the safer regions in Pennsylvania.
Popular names
- David Smith
- David Miller
- Michael Miller
- John Smith
- Robert Miller
- William Smith
- Robert Smith
- Jennifer Smith
- Matthew Miller
- Michael Brown
- Michael Smith
- Daniel Miller
- James Smith
- Robert Jones
- John Adams
- Michael Jones
- James Davis
- Jennifer Miller
- John Martin
- Matthew Smith
- Charles Miller
- David Brown
- Mary Smith
- Richard Smith
- William Brown
- Brian Smith
- David Martin
- James Miller
- John Miller
- Kenneth Miller
- Linda Miller
- Linda Smith
- Richard Johnson
- Robert Williams
- Amy Smith
- David Myers
- James Adams
- Jason Smith
- Robert Phillips
- Mary Miller
- Michael Clark
- Michael Williams
- Richard Miller
- Robert White
- Emily Smith
- Gary Smith
- Joseph Miller
- Joshua Smith
- Matthew Jones
- Robert Snyder
- Robert Wright
- Thomas Miller
- Brandon Smith
- Deborah Smith
- Elizabeth Smith
- Jessica Smith
- John Davis
- Mark Johnson
- Michael Anderson
- Richard Jackson
Other Counties in Pennsylvania
- Adams
- Allegheny
- Armstrong
- Beaver
- Bedford
- Berks
- Blair
- Bradford
- Bucks
- Butler
- Cambria
- Cameron
- Carbon
- Centre
- Chester
- Clarion
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Crawford
- Dauphin
- Delaware
- Elk
- Erie
- Fayette
- Forest
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Greene
- Huntingdon
- Indiana
- Jefferson
- Juniata
- Lackawanna
- Lancaster
- Lawrence
- Lebanon
- Lehigh
- Luzerne
- Lycoming
- Mckean
- Mercer
- Mifflin
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Montour
- Northampton
- Northumberland
- Perry
- Philadelphia