RANK #432 / 996 · POP 73,802 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%
The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville stands as a prominent landmark in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, drawing visitors to reflect on a significant moment in American history. Located in the Laurel Highlands, the county is about an hour east of Pittsburgh, offering a rural setting with access to major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. within a few hours' drive. The community maintains a conservative, small-town feel, characterized by scenic landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, including skiing at resorts like Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, hiking on trails such as the Great Allegheny Passage, and various water sports on local lakes. Life in Somerset County is marked by a lower cost of living and a strong sense of community. Public transportation options, including bus services, are available within the county and for trips to nearby Johnstown. The economy is supported by manufacturing, healthcare, and state correctional institutions. The county also sees activity in energy sectors, including coal mining and wind farms, with recent investments in sustainable practices. Local public schools are generally rated above average.
Contracting economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 4.0x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Homer City Energy Campus (Data Center & Natural Gas Power Plant)
Homer City Redevelopment LLC & Kiewit Power Constructors Company
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
Somerset County Data Center Campus (Planned)
Iron City Data
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Twin Ridges Wind Farm Expansion/Operations
Exus Pennsylvania Wind Holdings (formerly EverPower)
|
$250M | Operating |
|
Fern Mountain Residential Development
Steele Construction, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Somerset County has a Boom Town Index score of 57/100, ranking #432 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.6% and a median household income of $57,357, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Somerset County is $124,500 with median rent at $704/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4607, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.6%. Home values changed +3.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.68% of Somerset County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.