RANK #533 / 996 · POP 110,600 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.6%
Mercer County, Pennsylvania, offers a blend of small-town charm and natural beauty, often highlighted by locals through its outdoor recreation opportunities. Maurice K. Goddard State Park, featuring the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm, provides fishing, hiking, and biking. Pymatuning State Park is another large park with extensive recreational activities. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania along the Ohio border, Mercer County is about an hour north of Pittsburgh, with Interstates 79 and 80 providing access. Towns like Grove City, Hermitage, and Sharon contribute to the community's feel, with Grove City known for its college and outlet mall.
Life in Mercer County is characterized by a lower cost of living and a community-focused atmosphere. Public schools in the county are generally above average. Commute times are manageable, and transportation options include local bus services. The economy is seeing growth, particularly in manufacturing, with local companies contributing to advanced projects. There is also ongoing development in industrial and logistics sectors, with new facilities planned. The county actively works to attract new residents, including remote workers, through relocation incentive programs in some towns.
Below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Cake (Warehousing and Distribution Center)
SunCap Property Group
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Hickory Fields Development (Former Shenango Valley Mall)
Flicore LLC
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Joy Baking Group Cookie Plant Expansion
Joy Baking Group
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Wheatland Tube Automated Warehouse and Racking System
Zekelman Industries (Wheatland Tube)
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (10 projects)
Aspen Power
|
$42M | Completed |
|
Solar Facility on Reclaimed Mine Land
Integrated Consulting
|
$40M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Mercer County has a Boom Town Index score of 46/100, ranking #533 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $57,353, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Mercer County is $146,100 with median rent at $761/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3926, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +0.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.04% of Mercer County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.