The 6 Fastest-Growing Towns in Pennsylvania Everyone is Talking About

Pennsylvania is the 5th most populous state in the country. The U.S. Census Bureau found that 13,002,689 people lived in this state in 2020. However, the population in this state has fallen by about 30,000 people between 2020 and 2022. Despite this drop in population, some towns and cities are still growing. Discover the fastest-growing towns in Pennsylvania that people can’t stop talking about.

This list includes towns and cities in the Keystone State that have grown between 2020 and 2022. All the data for this section is sourced directly from the U.S. Census city and town growth records.

6. West Chester

West Chester is a medium-sized borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania. This region is about 20 miles west of Philadelphia, but it is counted among the city’s metro population.

West Chester had a population of 18,671 people during the 2020 Census. The population in this area grew by a fair amount of 860 people over the next two years. As a result, the number of residents rose to 19,531 people, a 4.6% change in population.

Although this is one of the fastest-growing towns in Pennsylvania, it gained less than 1,000 people. Clearly, the places in the state that are gaining population are only gaining a small number of residents rather than making very large gains.

People may be moving to this region as they move farther away from Philadelphia and other large cities. The cost-of-living crisis impacting many areas in the U.S. has made people seek new homes away from urban areas. West Chester is close to Philadelphia but not so close that its high costs impact the area as much.  

5. Millersville

Millersville is in Lancaster County, an area famous for its large farms, Amish population, and rich history. This town is home to Millersville University, and the southern part of the town is along the Conestoga River.

Millersville experienced tremendous growth in the last two years. The population in 2020 was 7,891. Yet, the population in 2022 was estimated to be 9,180. This is equivalent to a 16.3% increase in population, a total addition of 1,289 people. By percentage gain, Millersville is one of the fastest-growing towns in Pennsylvania despite only adding just over a thousand people.

4. Gettysburg

Gettysburg is a town in southern Pennsylvania. This town is known for being the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, a bloody battle of the American Civil War that took place in 1863. Today, the area is home to the Gettysburg National Military Park and several museums. Also, the town is home to Gettysburg College.

Gettysburg’s population in 2020 was just 7,103 people. The latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau claim that this region has grown by 1,455 people. That is a huge percentage gain of 20.48%. Now, 8,558 people live in Gettysburg, and this region could continue growing.  

3. Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a city in eastern Pennsylvania, and it is in both Lehigh County and Northampton County. The Lehigh River flows through the center of the city. Bethlehem is known for being home to Lehigh University as well as Moravian University.

In 2020, the population in Bethlehem was 75,795. The population in this city grew over the next two years, and now 77,617 people live there. That is an increase of 1,822 residents, a 2.4% increase over the last census.  

2. Carlisle

Carlisle is in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. This area of the state is interesting because it is essentially a suburban area surrounded by vast expanses of farmlands.

The borough of Carlise was home to 20,113 individuals in 2020. The population in this region grew by 2,090 over the following two years. Now, an estimated 22,203 people live in this part of the Keystone State. This area experienced a 10.4% population increase.

1. Easton

Easton is a city in eastern Pennsylvania, and it has a border with New Jersey along the Delaware River. Lafayette College is in this city, and so is the mouth of the Lehigh River as it enters the Delaware River.

The 2020 Census found a population of 28,126 people in Easton. The population grew a fair amount between 2020 and 2022. The new estimated population is 30,341 people. A total of 2,215 people moved to this region over two years, an increase of 7.87%. The 2,215 new residents in this region make Easton the leader among the fastest-growing towns in Pennsylvania.

The areas on this list do not have a great deal in common except they are concentrated in the eastern and southern parts of the state. Still, the towns on this list are dozens or hundreds of miles apart in some cases. A new census is needed to discover what makes these areas so enticing to people.

Summary of the Fastest-Growing Towns in Pennsylvania

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