CountyScore

Dauphin County

Pennsylvania · PA

#57 in Pennsylvania
59.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Dauphin scores above U.S. median

Dauphin County's composite score of 61.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties for livability. The county benefits from solid middle-class incomes and reasonable tax rates, though housing affordability presents challenges.

Below Pennsylvania's statewide average

At 61.6, Dauphin County underperforms Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, ranking it among the commonwealth's lower-scoring counties in this comparison. Housing costs drive the gap, outpacing income and tax advantages.

Solid incomes support middle-class living

Dauphin County features an Income Score of 31.8 with median household income of $74,159, above several rural peer counties and supporting moderate living standards. The Tax Score of 62.1 and effective tax rate of 1.43% provide reasonable fiscal conditions.

Housing costs outpace affordability metrics

The county's Cost Score of 68.6 reflects significant housing pressure, with median home value of $222,300 and median rent of $1,153 monthly. Critical data gaps exist for safety, health, schools, and environmental quality, limiting comprehensive livability assessment.

Suitable for middle-class stability seekers

Dauphin County appeals to middle-income families and professionals seeking established communities with solid job markets and reasonable taxes, despite elevated housing costs. It's ideal for those prioritizing economic stability and suburban amenities over maximum housing affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax62.1Cost68.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk8.9WaterComing Soon
🏛62.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Dauphin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fresno County
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Median income: $71,434
Merced County
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59.7
Median income: $65,044
Nevada County
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59.7
Median income: $84,905
Lee County
Florida
59.7
Median income: $73,099
Norfolk city
Virginia
59.7
Median income: $64,017

Deep Dives

Dauphin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dauphin County

via TaxByCounty

Dauphin's rate exceeds state and national

Dauphin County's 1.427% effective tax rate exceeds both Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317% and the national median of 1.58%, placing it among the higher-tax counties nationally. The median property tax of $3,171 approaches the national median of $2,690, despite lower home values of $222,300.

Dauphin ranks among Pennsylvania's highest

At 1.427%, Dauphin County's effective tax rate ranks among Pennsylvania's highest, exceeding the state average by 8 percentage points and resulting in a median property tax of $3,171. This places the county in the upper quartile for tax burden statewide.

Dauphin charges more than most neighbors

Dauphin County's 1.427% rate significantly exceeds nearby Clearfield (1.190%), Clinton (1.143%), Columbia (1.138%), and Cumberland (1.214%), making it one of the region's most expensive. Only Delaware County's 1.984% rate surpasses Dauphin's burden among comparable regional counties.

Median homeowner pays $3,171 annually

On a median home value of $222,300, Dauphin County homeowners pay approximately $3,171 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.427% effective rate. With a mortgage, taxes rise to $3,282; without one, they total $2,974.

Appeal your assessment in high-tax county

In Dauphin's high-tax environment, correcting an overassessment yields substantial savings, potentially recovering $400-700 annually depending on your home's value. File an appeal immediately if you believe your assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dauphin County

via CostByCounty

Dauphin strains above national affordability norms

At 18.7%, Dauphin County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average, representing one of the tighter affordability squeezes in the nation. Median rent of $1,153 per month and household income of $74,159—near the national average—combine to create substantial housing pressure on renters throughout the county.

Pennsylvania's most strained rental market

Dauphin County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% stands well above Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, making it one of the least affordable counties statewide for renters. The median rent of $1,153 ranks among the highest in the state, driven by the county's role as Harrisburg's economic hub.

Rents far exceed nearby rural counties

Dauphin's $1,153 monthly rent substantially exceeds all rural northern counties—Clearfield ($788), Clinton ($815), Crawford ($800), and Columbia ($904)—reflecting its urban-corridor status. The county's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio represents the tightest burden among regional peers, signaling the cost of development and centrality.

Renters squeezed harder than homeowners

Renters allocate roughly 19% of the $74,159 median household income to $1,153 monthly rent, while homeowners spend about 20% on mortgages averaging $1,232 on homes valued at $222,300. The housing cost burden here ranks among the most challenging in Pennsylvania.

Weigh urban amenities against housing costs

Dauphin offers Harrisburg's job market and urban services, but renters and owners should prepare for Pennsylvania's tightest affordability squeeze. If housing costs concern you, rural alternatives like Elk or Clearfield offer 25–30% lower rents; compare your salary growth opportunities against that savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dauphin County

via IncomeByCounty

Dauphin matches U.S. income median

Dauphin County's median household income of $74,159 nearly aligns with the national median of $74,755, just $596 shy. This places Dauphin squarely in the national middle class and demonstrates the county's economic health relative to the entire U.S. Dauphin's proximity to Harrisburg and diverse economy support this middle-of-the-road performance.

Just above Pennsylvania state average

Dauphin's $74,159 median household income exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $4,545, ranking it in the upper-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $41,055 similarly outpaces the state average of $37,407. These metrics place Dauphin among Pennsylvania's more prosperous counties.

Mid-tier earner behind Delaware and Cumberland

Dauphin's $74,159 ranks fourth in this eight-county sample, trailing only Delaware ($88,576) and Cumberland ($85,634) but well ahead of rural western counties. Columbia ($61,992) and Crawford ($60,254) trail Dauphin significantly. This gap reflects the urbanization premium of the Harrisburg metro area versus rural Pennsylvania.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Dauphin's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio—the highest in this county sample—indicates renters spend roughly $1,155 monthly on average. The median home value of $222,300 requires substantial mortgage payments relative to household income. This elevated housing burden leaves less discretionary income for savings and investing compared to western county peers.

Plan strategically around housing expenses

Dauphin residents should carefully budget around elevated housing costs while maximizing employer benefits and tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Refinancing opportunities can reduce monthly burdens; consult a mortgage advisor about options. Direct any freed-up cash flow into diversified investments to accelerate wealth accumulation despite housing constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dauphin County

via HealthByCounty

Dauphin inches ahead of national averages

At 76.8 years, Dauphin County's life expectancy modestly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though 19.3% report poor or fair health. The county's performance sits solidly in the middle—neither leading nor lagging—reflecting mixed outcomes across its urban and rural areas.

Slight advantage within Pennsylvania

Dauphin's 76.8-year life expectancy edges above Pennsylvania's 76.4-year state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. At 6.9% uninsured, Dauphin slightly underperforms the state average of 7.0%, suggesting relatively strong coverage equity.

Urban density powers stronger provider access

Dauphin's 103 primary care providers per 100,000 residents significantly outpace rural neighbors like Clinton (35) and Clearfield (46), reflecting its more urbanized base. Though its 19.3% poor/fair health rate trails some neighbors, robust provider access and 289 mental health providers create comprehensive care infrastructure.

Urban county with strong care infrastructure

Dauphin's 103 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the second-highest in this cohort—pair with 289 mental health providers, ensuring residents rarely lack care options. The county's 6.9% uninsured rate means approximately 15,700 residents still navigate healthcare without coverage, despite strong provider availability.

Complete Dauphin's coverage picture

With strong medical infrastructure, Dauphin's remaining 15,700 uninsured residents are at risk of skipping preventive care and accruing debt from emergencies. Visit Healthcare.gov or call your county health office to confirm enrollment—coverage ensures you can access the excellent providers in your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dauphin County

via RiskByCounty

Dauphin faces high national disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 91.06, Dauphin ranks in the upper tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, earning a Relatively Moderate rating. The county faces critically high flooding (94.78), tornadoes (79.80), earthquakes (87.28), and hurricane risk (89.19) simultaneously.

Highest-risk county in Pennsylvania

Dauphin's 91.06 score marginally exceeds Delaware County (92.91) to place it among Pennsylvania's two most hazard-exposed counties, far surpassing the state average of 67.45. This exceptional risk concentration results from the county's central geography, seismic proximity, and vulnerability to multiple severe weather corridors.

Risk epicenter of central Pennsylvania

Dauphin (91.06) faces catastrophically higher composite risk than neighboring Clearfield (67.11) or Columbia (62.05) counties, making it the hazard hotspot of the central region. Only adjacent Delaware County matches or exceeds Dauphin's multifaceted disaster exposure profile.

Flooding and tornadoes pose extreme threats

Flood risk of 94.78 represents the county's single greatest natural hazard, while tornado risk of 79.80 and earthquake risk of 87.28 create compounding seasonal and geological threats. Together with hurricane risk of 89.19, Dauphin residents face a hazardscape more complex than nearly any other Pennsylvania county.

Comprehensive disaster preparedness is critical

Flood insurance is non-negotiable at the 94.78 flood risk score; this is your single most important protection in Dauphin County. Add earthquake coverage (87.28 risk) and reinforce your roof and foundation for tornadoes (79.80 risk), then develop a multi-hazard family evacuation plan and maintain emergency supplies for extended isolation.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.