Shippensburg, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Shippensburg is a small city in Pennsylvania with a population of 5,811. Residents earn $52,344 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
5,811 Population 2,863/sq mi density
$52,344 Median Income $32,560 per capita
$163,200 Home Value
$898 Median Rent 23.8% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
126 Violent Crime/100K 1,746 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$52,344 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$163,200 home value, $898/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
126 violent crimes/100K (67% below avg)
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
33.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,344
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $163,200
42% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 126/100K
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.1%
2% lower than US avg
Median Rent $898
23% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.8%
53% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,811
Median Age34.6 yrs
Density2,863/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans7.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,344
Per Capita$32,560
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty5.8%
County GDP$23,098M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$163,200
Rent$898
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden23.8%

Crime

F
Violent126/100K
Property1,746/100K
Murder18.0/100K
Assault36/100K
Burglary180/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain42.5 in/yr
Elevation644 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.1%
High School+90.9%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute20 min
Broadband81.8%
EV Stations6
Libraries8

Is Shippensburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shippensburg receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Shippensburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shippensburg is $52,344, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shippensburg is $163,200, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $898 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Shippensburg is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 126 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,746 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Shippensburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.5 inches, including 33.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Shippensburg has a population of 5,811 with a density of 2,863 people per square mile. The median age is 34.6 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

5,811
Total Population
2,863
People / sq mi
34.6yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.9%
Female 47.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Shippensburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shippensburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shippensburg is $52,344, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Shippensburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,344
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,560
Avg Weekly Wage$1,253
IRS Avg AGI$89,422

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.8%
53% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,995
County GDP$23,098M

Business (County)

Restaurants574
Healthcare836
Retail826
Manufacturing212

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,909
69% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Drive Alone66.7%
Public Transit0.1%
Work from Home7.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Shippensburg is $163,200, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $898 (23% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$163,200
42% below US avg
Median List Price$240,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$240,000
$/Sq Ft$128
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.0%
Price Drops6.7%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$898
23% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,145
Rent Burden23.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,909
69% above US avg
Effective Rate3.62%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Premature Death5,769/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access87.3%
Healthcare Facilities836
Shippensburg has a violent crime rate of 126 per 100,000 residents, 67% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,746 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 18.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent126.0/100K
67% below US avg
Murder18.0/100K
186% above US avg
Rape36.0/100K
Robbery36.0/100K
Assault36.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,746.5/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary180.1/100K
Theft1,512.4/100K
Vehicle Theft54.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Shippensburg has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.3°F
1% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.5 inches
12% above US avg
Snowfall33.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation644 ft (196 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density2,863/sq mi
Coordinates40.0487°N, 77.5232°W
County FIPS42041
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 33.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (2% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.4-point margin. 81.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.1%
D 44.7%

Winner: Republican by 9.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+33.1%
2% below US avg
High School+90.9%
School Test Score5.95
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,863/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.8%
EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities836
Restaurants574
Retail Stores826

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Drive Alone66.7%
Public Transit0.1%
Work from Home7.7%

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