Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 14th-largest in Pennsylvania
The population of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is 287,484 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 14th-largest county in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $74,159, the median home value is $222,300, and the median age is 39.4.
The population of Dauphin County has grown 9.2% since 2010 (268,289 → 293,029), a +0.63% annualized rate.
287,484
Population
+0.63%
Annual growth
548
People / sq mi
$74,159
Median Income
$222,300
Median Home Value
Dauphin County covers 525 sq mi of land at 547.7 people per square mile.
About Dauphin County, PA
Remote work is unusually prominent in Dauphin County: 14.8% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. Dauphin County is a county in Pennsylvania with a population of 287,484. It ranks #14 among counties in Pennsylvania by population.
The typical household earns $74,159 a year, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 9.2%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $222,300, with typical rent around $1,153.
College attainment is above the local norm at 34.3%, near the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 14.8% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Dauphin County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Dauphin County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Dauphin County had a population of 268,289 in 2010 and 293,029 in 2024, a 9.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 293,029 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.63%.
293,029
Population (2024)
268,289
Population (2010)
293,029
Peak (2024)
0.63%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 268,289 |
| 2011 | 269,278 |
| 2012 | 270,058 |
| 2013 | 271,500 |
| 2014 | 272,312 |
| 2015 | 273,195 |
| 2016 | 274,305 |
| 2017 | 275,796 |
| 2018 | 276,951 |
| 2019 | 278,427 |
| 2020 | 286,717 |
| 2021 | 288,286 |
| 2022 | 289,049 |
| 2023 | 290,886 |
| 2024 | 293,029 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 64.9% |
| Black or African American | 17.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
39.4
Median Age
51.2%
Female
48.8%
Male
17.8%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 18.7% · Seniors (65+): 17.8%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $74,159$-1,922 vs state |
| Mean household income | $98,206 |
| Per-capita income | $41,055 |
| Poverty rate | 9.2%+1.1% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8% |
| Employment-to-population | 62.0% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Dauphin County is professional & business services, accounting for 26.1% of workers.
How residents commute
1.4%
Drive alone
2.8%
Carpool
70.8%
Public transit
14.8%
Work from home
21.9 min
Avg commute
Housing
$222,300$-18,200 vs state
Median home value
$1,153
Median rent
63.3%
Homeownership rate
127,259
Total housing units
94.1%
Occupied
5.9%
Vacant
36.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.7%
With health insurance
93.1%
With broadband internet
20.0%
Foreign-born
6.9%
Veterans (18+)
13.2%
With a disability
86.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.5%
High School+
34.3%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania has a population of 287,484 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 14th-largest county in Pennsylvania. Population density is 548 people per square mile.
The population of Dauphin County has grown 9.2% since 2010 (268,289 → 293,029), a +0.63% annualized rate.
The median household income in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is $74,159, with mean (average) household income of $98,206 and per-capita income of $41,055. 9.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Dauphin County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (64.9%), Black or African American (17.7%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is 39.4 years. Residents are 51.2% female and 48.8% male.
The median home value in Dauphin County is $222,300 and median monthly rent is $1,153. 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 127,259 total housing units, 5.9% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 26.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.
Philadelphia is among the largest cities associated with Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,582,432.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.