Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 558 sqmi, of which 525 sqmi is land and 33 sqmi (5.9%) is water. The county is bound to its western border by the Susquehanna River (with the exception of a small peninsula next to Duncannon). The area code is 717 with an overlay of 223.

Adjacent counties

• Northumberland County (north)
• Schuylkill County (northeast)
• Lebanon County (east)
• Lancaster County (south)
• York County (southwest)
• Cumberland County (west)
• Perry County (west)
• Juniata County (northwest)

Major roads and highways

• [[File:PA QR 3032.svg|25px]] SR 3032

Climate

Most of the county by area has a humid continental climate (Dfa except for some Dfb in highlands.) The inclusion of temperature numbers for the past decade shows some lower-lying areas, including Harrisburg, to have a humid subtropical climate (Cfa.) The hardiness zone is 7a except in some higher northern areas where it is 6b and a few very small areas along the river below the city including the airport where it is 7b. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |Jan record high F = 73 |Feb record high F = 83 |Mar record high F = 86 |Apr record high F = 93 |May record high F = 97 |Jun record high F = 100 |Jul record high F = 107 |Aug record high F = 101 |Sep record high F = 102 |Oct record high F = 97 |Nov record high F = 84 |Dec record high F = 75 |year record high F = 107 |Jan record low F = -9 |Feb record low F = -5 |Mar record low F = 2 |Apr record low F = 19 |May record low F = 31 |Jun record low F = 40 |Jul record low F = 49 |Aug record low F = 45 |Sep record low F = 30 |Oct record low F = 23 |Nov record low F = 13 |Dec record low F = -8 |year record low F= -9 |archive-date = July 5, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120705132003/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ctp |url-status = dead

Demographics

| |align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010,

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 286,401. The median age was 39.8 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 63.2% White, 17.8% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 6.0% Asian,

85.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 14.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 116,761 households in the county, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.2% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 126,514 housing units, of which 7.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 61.1% were owner-occupied and 38.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, the county was 72.7% White, 18.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.2% Asian, and 3.1% were two or more races. 7.0% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 251,798 people, 102,670 households, and 66,119 families residing in the county. The population density was 479 PD/sqmi. There were 111,133 housing units at an average density of 212 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 77.11% White, 16.91% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.96% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.97% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. 4.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.2% were of German, 7.5% Irish, 7.3% American and 7.2% Italian ancestry. 91.8% spoke English and 3.9% Spanish as their first language.

In 2000 there were 102,670 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.60% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.

A study by Echelon Insights found Dauphin County to be the most typical county in America, with its 2016 presidential vote, median income, higher education rate, and religiosity all very close to the national averages.

Amish community

Dauphin County is home to an Amish community that resides in the Lykens Valley in the northern part of the county, consisting of eight church districts. The community was settled by Amish from Lancaster County seeking cheaper land.

Metropolitan statistical area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Dauphin County as the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2020 U.S. census the metropolitan area ranked fifth-most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 95th-most populous in the United States with a population of 591,712. Dauphin County is also a part of the larger Harrisburg–York–Lebanon combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the populations of Dauphin County as well as Adams, Cumberland, Lebanon, Perry and York Counties in Pennsylvania. The combined statistical area ranked the 5th most populous in Pennsylvania and 43rd most populous in the nation with a population of 1,219,422.

Politics and government

Dauphin County was historically a Republican stronghold, like most of south-central Pennsylvania. It was long one of the more conservative urban counties in the nation, having only supported a Democrat for president twice from 1880 to 2004. The only breaks in this trend were in 1936 and 1964, which were national 400-electoral vote Democratic landslides.

However, there has been a decided shift toward the Democrats in national and statewide elections in recent years. This culminated when the Democrats overtook the Republicans in countywide registration during the summer of 2008.

Bob Casey Jr. carried the county in the 2006 Senate election when he unseated Rick Santorum. According to the Dauphin County Board of Elections, in 2008 Barack Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Dauphin County since 1964, receiving 9.0% more of the vote than John McCain. It was also only the third time Dauphin County had supported a Democrat for president since 1936. Obama won Dauphin with a slightly reduced majority in 2012, while Hillary Clinton won it with a narrow plurality in 2016. It is now the only blue county in the traditionally powerfully Republican Susquehanna Valley.

Voter registration

As of July 29, 2024, 44.0% of registered voters in the county were Democrats, 38.6% Republicans, 13.3% non-affiliated, and 4.1% other party. Party registration stats according to the Secretary of State's office:

County commissioners

• Justin Douglas, Chairman, Democrat
• Mike Pries, Vice Chairman, Republican
• George P. Hartwick III, Secretary, Democrat

Other county offices

• Clerk of Courts, Tina Nixon, Democrat
• Controller, Mary Bateman, Republican
• Coroner, Graham Hetrick, Republican
• District Attorney, Fran Chardo, Republican
• Prothonotary, Antonio Carreno, Democrat
• Recorder of Deeds, Jim Zugay, Republican
• Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court, Jean Marfizo King, Republican
• Sheriff, Nick Chimienti, Republican
• Treasurer, Nick DiFrancesco, Republican
• Solicitor, Fred Lighty, Esquire

State representatives

• Nathan Davidson, Democrat, 103rd district
• Dave Madsen, Democrat, 104th district
• Justin Fleming, Democrat, 105th district
• Tom Mehaffie, Republican, 106th district
• Joseph Kerwin, Republican, 125th district

State senate

• Patty Kim, Democrat, 15th district
• Greg Rothman, Republican, 34th district

United States House of Representatives

• Scott Perry, Republican, 10th district

United States Senate

Education

Colleges and universities

• Dixon University Center
• Harrisburg Area Community College
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
• Penn State Harrisburg
• Penn State Hershey Medical Center
• Temple University Harrisburg Campus
• Widener University School of Law

Public school districts

School districts include:

• Central Dauphin School District
• Derry Township School District
• Halifax Area School District
• Harrisburg School District (Pennsylvania)
• Lower Dauphin School District
• Middletown Area School District
• Millersburg School District
• Steelton-Highspire School District
• Susquehanna Township School District
• Susquenita School District (also in Perry County)
• Upper Dauphin School District
• Williams Valley School District (also in Schuylkill County)

Public charter schools

Several public charter schools are established in Dauphin County

• Infinity Charter School
• Sylvan Heights Science Charter School
• Capital Area School for the Arts
• Premier Arts and Science Charter School

Intermediate unit

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 is a state approved education agency that offers: school districts, charter schools, private schools, and home school students, a variety of services including: a completely developed K–12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.

Library system

The Dauphin County Library System provides library service to the residents of the county through a main central library in the state capital and county seat of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and eight branch libraries. DCLS is a private, non-profit corporation. It is governed by a 17-member Board of Trustees, five appointed annually by the Dauphin County Commissioners, and twelve elected for three-year terms. The Library is a member of the Pennsylvania library system.

Private schools

As reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics

• Armstrong Valley Christian School – Halifax
• Berrysburg Christian Academy – Elizabethvile
• Bishop McDevitt High School – Harrisburg
• Cathedral Consolidated School – Harrisburg
• Covenant Christian Academy – Harrisburg
• East Shore Montessori School – Harrisburg
• Emmanuel Wesleyan Academy – Gratz
• Garden Spot Amish School – Millersburg
• Garden Spot School – Millersburg
• Goddard School – Harrisburg
• Hansel and Gretel Early Learning Centers – Harrisburg
• Harrisburg Adventist School – Harrisburg
• Harrisburg Christian School – Harrisburg
• Hillside Amish School – Harrisville
• Hillside Seventh Day Adventist School – Harrisburg
• Keystone Math and Science Academy – Harrisburg
• Kinder-Care Learning Center – Harrisburg
• KinderCare Learning Center – Hershey
• Londonderry School – Harrisburg
• Mahantango School – Lykens
• Matterstown School – Millersburg
• Middletown Christian School – Middletown
• Milton Hershey School – Hershey
• North Mountain View Amish – Millersburg
• Northern Dauphin Christian School – Millersburg
• Pride of the Neighborhood Academies – Harrisburg
• Rakers Mill School – Elizabethville
• Rolling Acres School – Lykens
• Seven Sorrows of BMV School – Middletown
• Sonshine Learning Station – Middletown
• South Mountain View School – Spring Glen
• Specktown School – Lykens
• St. Catherine Laboure School – Harrisburg
• St Joan of Arc Elementary School – Hershey
• St. Margaret Mary School – Harrisburg
• St. Stephen's Episcopal School – Harrisburg
• Tender Years Inc. – Hershey
• The Nativity School of Harrisburg – Harrisburg
• Windy Knoll School – Spring Glen
• Wordsworth Academy – Harrisbrug
• Yeshiva Academy – Harrisburg

Economy

The largest employers in Dauphin County in 2019 were:

• Commonwealth Government
• Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• The Hershey Company
• Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Co.
• UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals
• Federal Government
• Pennsylvania State University
• PHEAA – Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
• United Parcel Service Inc
• TYCO Electronics Corp.

Recreation

There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Dauphin County.

• Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
• Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Dauphin County:

City

• Harrisburg (county seat)

Boroughs

• Berrysburg
• Dauphin
• Elizabethville
• Gratz
• Halifax
• Highspire
• Hummelstown
• Lykens
• Middletown
• Millersburg
• Paxtang
• Penbrook
• Pillow
• Royalton
• Steelton
• Williamstown

Townships

• Conewago
• Derry
• East Hanover
• Halifax
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Londonderry
• Lower Paxton
• Lower Swatara
• Lykens
• Middle Paxton
• Mifflin
• Reed
• Rush
• South Hanover
• Susquehanna
• Swatara
• Upper Paxton
• Washington
• Wayne
• West Hanover
• Wiconisco
• Williams

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

• Bressler
• Colonial Park
• Enhaut
• Hershey
• Lawnton
• Lenkerville
• Linglestown
• Oberlin
• Palmdale
• Paxtonia
• Progress
• Rutherford
• Skyline View
• Union Deposit
• Wiconisco

Unincorporated communities

• Bachmanville
• Carsonville
• Cartin
• Chambers Hill
• Clifton
• Dayton
• Deodate
• Dietrich
• Ebenezer
• Edgemont
• Ellendale Forge
• Enders
• Enterline
• Erdman
• Estherton
• Fort Hunter
• Freys Grove
• Grantville
• Greenfield
• Hanoverdale
• Heckton
• Hockersville
• Hoernerstown
• Inglenook
• Jednota
• Killinger
• Loyalton
• Lucknow
• Manada Gap
• Manada Hill
• Matamoras
• Matterstown
• Montrose Park
• Oakleigh
• Oakmont
• Oberlin Gardens
• Paxtang Manor
• Paxton
• Piketown
• Powells Valley
• Rockville
• Sand Beach
• Shellsville
• Singersville
• Speeceville
• Stone Glen
• Swatara
• Vaughn
• Waynesville

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Dauphin County.

† county seat

Notable people

• Milton S. Hershey (1857–1945), founder of The Hershey Company and the town of Hershey
• H.B. Reese (1879–1956), inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• Samuel B. Garver (1839–1911), an Illinois state representative, businessman, and farmer, was born in Dauphin County.
• Nicholas H. Heck (1882–1953), a geophysicist, seismologist, oceanographer, hydrographic surveyor, and United States Coast and Geodetic Survey officer, was born in Dauphin County in Heckton Mills, near Heckton.
• Newt Gingrich (1943–), former speaker of the United States House of Representatives, was born in Harrisburg and lived in Hummelstown.
• Michelle Wolf (1985–), comedian, was born and lived in Dauphin County.
• Christian Pulisic (1998–), soccer player who plays for Chelsea F.C. of England's Premier League and the United States men's national team was born in Hershey.
• Micah Parsons (1999–), football linebacker.
• Richard L. Schlegel (1927–2006), LGBT rights activist; born in Berrysburg and lived in Harrisburg.

Notes

References

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