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Crawford County, PA

RANK #633 / 996  ·  POP 83,876  ·  PA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%

Crawford County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Crawford County?

Pymatuning State Park, home to Pennsylvania's largest lake, is a major draw in Crawford County, a region in northwestern Pennsylvania known for its outdoor recreation. The county is approximately two hours from major cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo, offering a balance of rural living with access to urban amenities. Commutes within the county are short, with Meadville averaging around 14 minutes. The area's natural beauty, including French Creek and numerous other lakes and streams, provides opportunities for kayaking, fishing, hiking, and biking.

Life in Crawford County often centers on its small towns and natural surroundings. The community is characterized by a strong sense of local identity, with many residents owning their homes. Educational options include the Crawford Central School District in Meadville, along with other districts like Titusville Area and Conneaut School District. The economy is supported by manufacturing, with companies like C&J Industries expanding operations. Efforts are also underway to revitalize downtown areas in towns like Meadville and Titusville through state investments.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.0x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.1%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+7.2%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-2.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
15x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Crawford County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
83,876
-0.73% YoY
Median Household Income
$58,734
Median Home Value
$136,000
+7.22% 12mo
Median Rent
$769
Average Annual Pay
$50,526
+4.1% YoY
Employment
28,870
-0.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4319
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.24%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$154,500
Days on Market
57
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
4.3
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
91.8%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
14.8%
Building Permits (2024)
79
Single-Family Permits
79

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.1% 19 percentile
Population Growth -0.7% 6 percentile
Income Growth +6.7% 14 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 32 percentile
Home Price Change +7.2% 98 percentile
Price/Rent 15x 38 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crawford County, PA a good place to move to?

Crawford County has a Boom Town Index score of 36/100, ranking #633 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.8% and a median household income of $58,734, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Crawford County affordable?

The median home value in Crawford County is $136,000 with median rent at $769/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4319, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Crawford County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.8%. Home values changed +7.2% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Crawford County?

Yes — 3.24% of Crawford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Mercer County, PA 46 Effingham County, GA 46 Guilford County, NC 46 Carteret County, NC 46 Catawba County, NC 46 Hudson County, NJ 46 Chesterfield County, VA 46 Shelby County, AL 46