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CITY

Hershey

Pennsylvania · 14,242 residents · 14.298 sq mi
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The short version

Hershey has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $78,587. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $379,200.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,242
+12%since 2000
from 12,771 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
996 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 893 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
−8%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K12K13K14K15K1990201020202024Hershey
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,587
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,098 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$49,882
+75%since 2000
from $28,487 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.2%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 34.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.6%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.501
+8%since 2010
from 0.464 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction9.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Information8.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$379,200
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $151,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,268
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $658 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 54.8% in 2000
46.3% rent
Vacancy rate
3.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.3%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.2%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.8
+44%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
33
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hershey on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.1%(11,512)
Black2.1%(264)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(198)
Asian4.9%(620)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.2%(2,576)
2024
White, non-Hispanic67%(9,546)
Black5.7%(808)
Hispanic / Latino12.9%(1,839)
Asian8.5%(1,216)
Other5.8%(833)
Diversity Score65%(9,260)
Diversity Score
65
+222%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
50.2%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 41.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
21.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.2 min
+30%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
63.7%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 77.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.4%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2011
from 2.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2011
from 61.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.7%
−27.7 ptssince 2009
from 71.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
52.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
13.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.5%
−41.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.4%
Unchangedsince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.9%
−86.1 ptssince 2013
from 90.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.1%
+11.6 ptssince 2017
from 80.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 82.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 7.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Hershey to nearby cities

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Income$55,765−29%
Home value$161,600−57%
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HERSHEY VS
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Income$73,105−7%
Home value$231,100−39%
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HERSHEY VS
Elizabethtown
Income$76,105−3%
Home value$238,700−37%
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HERSHEY VS
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Income$73,030−7%
Home value$202,500−47%
Population11,017−23%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Hershey, Pennsylvania?

Hershey, Pennsylvania has about 14,242 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hershey, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Hershey, Pennsylvania earns about $78,587 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hershey, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Hershey, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $379,200, and the typical rent is about $1,268 a month.

How educated are people in Hershey, Pennsylvania?

About 50.2% of adults age 25 and over in Hershey, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hershey, Pennsylvania?

About 17.6% of people in Hershey, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hershey, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, Hershey, Pennsylvania has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,382 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Hershey, Pennsylvania: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy