Ephrata, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Ephrata is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 13,729. Residents earn $68,117 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
13,729 Population 4,014/sq mi density
$68,117 Median Income $37,276 per capita
$215,100 Home Value
$1,070 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
258 Violent Crime/100K 1,469 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$68,117 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$215,100 home value, $1,070/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
258 violent crimes/100K (32% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,117
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $215,100
24% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 258/100K
32% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.9%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,070
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.4%
32% lower than US avg

How Ephrata Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population13,729
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density4,014/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,117
Per Capita$37,276
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty8.4%
County GDP$39,951M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$215,100
Rent$1,070
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent258/100K
Property1,469/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault214/100K
Burglary295/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain42.1 in/yr
Elevation364 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.9%
High School+88.4%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute24 min
EV Stations9
Libraries17

Is Ephrata a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ephrata receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Ephrata offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ephrata is $68,117, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 8.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ephrata is $215,100, 24% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,070 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ephrata is below the national average at 258 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,469 per 100,000, 25% below the national average.

Education

22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Ephrata experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Ephrata has a population of 13,729 with a density of 4,014 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.4%), with 3.3% Black.

Population

13,729
Total Population
4,014
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Ephrata vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.2%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.8%
19% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ephrata vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ephrata is $68,117, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Ephrata vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,117
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,276
Avg Weekly Wage$1,153
IRS Avg AGI$82,509

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.4%
32% below US avg
Establishments (County)14,605
County GDP$39,951M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,139
Healthcare1,279
Retail1,900
Manufacturing1,012

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,335
81% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Ephrata is $215,100, 24% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,070 (8% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$215,100
24% below US avg
Median List Price$288,797

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$288,797
$/Sq Ft$169
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio100.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,070
8% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,311

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,335
81% above US avg
Effective Rate2.95%

Health Metrics: Ephrata vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.2%
Premature Death6,922/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access81.2%
Healthcare Facilities1,279
Ephrata has a violent crime rate of 258 per 100,000 residents, 32% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,469 per 100,000 (25% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ephrata vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent258.4/100K
32% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape36.9/100K
Robbery7.4/100K
Assault214.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,469.2/100K
25% below US avg
Burglary295.3/100K
Theft1,122.2/100K
Vehicle Theft51.7/100K
Arson14.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ephrata has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.3°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.1 inches
11% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation364 ft (111 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.9 km²)
Population Density4,014/sq mi
Coordinates40.1809°N, 76.1802°W
County FIPS42071
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.5%
D 41.5%

Winner: Republican by 16 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.9%
32% below US avg
High School+88.4%
School Test Score5.95
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density4,014/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities1,279
Restaurants1,139
Retail Stores1,900

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

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