RANK #387 / 996 · POP 85,907 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.2%
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is defined by its natural landscape, particularly McConnells Mill State Park, a National Natural Landmark featuring the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge with waterfalls, hiking trails, and a historic gristmill. Located about an hour north of Pittsburgh, the county offers a blend of rural scenery and access to urban amenities. Commuting to Pittsburgh is facilitated by Park & Ride options. The county also has a notable Old Order Amish community, especially around the villages of Volant and New Wilmington. Outdoor recreation extends to fishing in Neshannock Creek and Slippery Rock Creek, biking on the Stavich Bicycle Trail, and exploring Quaker Falls Recreation Area.
Life in Lawrence County offers a mix of small-town warmth and access to outdoor activities. The public schools in the county are generally above average. While the county has experienced a population decline, particularly in its main city, New Castle, rural and suburban areas have seen some growth. The economy is seeing investment in manufacturing, with one company expanding its operations and creating new jobs. The county's economic development efforts focus on supporting businesses and enhancing services.
Contracting economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Hickory Run Energy Station
Hickory Run Energy, LLC
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Firefly Solar Project (400 MW)
Vesper Energy
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Tri Global Energy Solar Project (175 MW solar, 40 MW battery storage)
Tri Global Energy
|
$215M | Planned |
|
LS Power Solar Farm (60 MW)
LS Power
|
$60M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lawrence County has a Boom Town Index score of 61/100, ranking #387 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.0% and a median household income of $57,585, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Lawrence County is $130,000 with median rent at $787/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.443, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.0%. Home values changed +0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.84% of Lawrence County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.