Chester County, PA

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Population

519,293

0.577% growth

Median Age

40


Median Household Income

$96,656

4.6% growth

Poverty Rate

6.86%


Number of Employees

274,328

2.56% growth

Median Property Value

$355,000

2.1% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Chester County, PA had a population of 519k people with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $96,656. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Chester County, PA grew from 516,312 to 519,293, a 0.577% increase and its median household income grew from $92,407 to $96,656, a 4.6% increase.

The population of Chester County, PA is 79.4% White Alone, 7.55% Hispanic or Latino, and 5.68% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Chester County, PA speak a non-English language, and 94.7% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chester County, PA are West Chester University of Pennsylvania (4,111 degrees awarded in 2016), Immaculata University (877 degrees), and Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc (755 degrees).

The median property value in Chester County, PA is $355,000, and the homeownership rate is 75.4%. Most people in Chester County, PA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 25.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Chester County, PA is 2 cars per household.

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United StatesPennsylvaniaPhiladelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Economy

The economy of Chester County, PA employs 274k people. The largest industries in Chester County, PA are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,770 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (33,679 people), and Manufacturing (28,950 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($104,964), Finance & Insurance ($90,520), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,219).

Median household income in Chester County, PA is $96,656. Males in Chester County, PA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $51,375. The income inequality in Chester County, PA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$96,656

2017 value

± $3,279

4.6%

1 Year Growth

± 4.25%

Households in Chester County, PA have a median annual income of $96,656, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $92,407 in 2016, which represents a 4.6% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Chester County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

$68,603

Average Male Salary

± $1,096

$51,375

Average Female Salary

± $811

In 2017, full-time male employees in Pennsylvania made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $62,810 ± $3,954

  2. White

    $53,208 ± $684

  3. American Indian

    $47,436 ± $11,968

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Pennsylvania workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.18 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Chester County, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.472

2017 Wage GINI

0.468

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.833% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 3002.02

  2. Census Tract 3001.09

  3. Census Tract 3001.07

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Chester County, PA was Census Tract 3002.02 with a value of $196,964, followed by Census Tract 3001.09 and Census Tract 3001.07, with respective values of $193,000 and $190,592.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Chester County, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

6.86% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chester County, PA (34.4k out of 502k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    25,857 ± 1,172

  2. Hispanic

    6,705 ± 553

  3. Black

    5,476 ± 545

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Chester County, PA is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

274k

2017 Value

± 7,541

2.56%

1 Year growth

± 3.84%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Chester County, PA grew at a rate of 2.56%, from 267k employees to 274k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chester County, PA, are Management Occupations (41,111 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (30,817 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (30,248 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Chester County, PA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Chester County, PA, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (41,111 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (30,817 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (30,248 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Chester County, PA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2.11 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.9 times), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.59 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Chester County, PA, by median earnings, are Management Occupations ($100,468), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($95,100), and Management, Business, & Financial Occupations ($91,929).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

274k

2017 Value

± 7,541

2.56%

1 Year growth

± 3.84%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Chester County, PA grew at a rate of 2.56%, from 267k employees to 274k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chester County, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,770 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (33,679 people), and Manufacturing (28,950 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Chester County, PA, though some of these residents may live in Chester County, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Chester County, PA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,770 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (33,679 people), and Manufacturing (28,950 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Chester County, PA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2.69 times higher than expected), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.64 times), and Finance & Insurance (1.61 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Chester County, PA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($104,964), Finance & Insurance ($90,520), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,219).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Mixed freight

    $83B

  2. Coal-n.e.c.

    $50.6B

  3. Pharmaceuticals

    $49.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $83B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($50.6B) and Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania state.

$618B

2015 Value

$954B

Projected 2045 Value

54.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $618B. This is expected to increase 54.4% to $954B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. New York

    $61B

  2. New Jersey

    $57.7B

  3. Ohio

    $33.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $61B, followed by New Jersey with $57.7B and Ohio and $33.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

94.5% of the population of Chester County, PA has health coverage, with 60.8% on employee plans, 8.07% on Medicaid, 11.9% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 0.752% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Chester County, PA was $9,258 in 2014. This is a 4.29% increase from the previous year ($8,877).

Primary care physicians in Chester County, PA see 1154 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.774% decrease from the previous year (1163 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1510 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 494 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16%). Additionally, Clearfield County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,154 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Chester County, PA see an average of 1,154 patients per year. This represents a 0.774% decrease from the previous year (1,163 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Chester County, PA in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$9,258

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,634

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,407

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,243

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Pennsylvania (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.29%, from $8,877 to $9,258.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

5.51%

Uninsured

60.8%

Employer Coverage

8.07%

Medicaid

11.9%

Medicare

13%

Non-Group

0.752%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chester County, PA declined by 4.05% from 5.75% to 5.51%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Chester County, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Fayette County

    16% prevalence

  2. Mifflin County

    13.4% prevalence

  3. Venango County

    13.2% prevalence

Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania, at 16%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Chester County, PA is home to a population of 519k people, from which 94.7% are citizens. As of 2017, 9.33% of Chester County, PA residents were born outside of the country (48.5k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Chester County, PA is composed of 412k White Alone residents (79.4%), 39.2k Hispanic or Latino residents (7.55%), 29.5k Black or African American Alone residents (5.68%), 29.5k Asian Alone residents (5.68%), 8.45k Two or More Races residents (1.63%), 334 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0643%), 50 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.00963%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Chester County, PA are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

40

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

42

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.4

In 2017, the median age of all people in Chester County, PA was 40. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Chester County, PA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Chester County, PA residents was 40.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

9.33%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

48.5k people

9.13%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

47.1k people

As of 2017, 9.33% of Chester County, PA residents (48.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chester County, PA was 9.13%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Chester County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

  1. India

    87,349 ± 7,231 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    68,083 ± 6,389 people

  3. China

    58,224 ± 5,911 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 87,349 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 68,083 and China with 58,224.

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Citizenship

94.7%

2017 Citizenship

94.6%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 94.7% of Chester County, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Chester County, PA was 94.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Chester County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    412k ± 379

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    39.2k ± 3.62k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    29.5k ± 1.29k

In 2017, there were 10.5 times more White Alone residents (412k people) in Chester County, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 39.2k Hispanic or Latino and 29.5k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Chester County, PA as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Chester County, PA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.8%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Chester County, PA was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Chester County, PA are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    10,360 ± 1,695

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,913 ± 835

  3. Korea

    2,853 ± 761

Chester County, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.56 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Chester County, PA awarded 6,758 degrees. The student population of Chester County, PA is skewed towards women, with 10,482 male students and 14,574 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chester County, PA are White (4,949 and 74.6%), followed by Black or African American (878 and 13.2%), Hispanic or Latino (374 and 5.64%), and Asian (154 and 2.32%).

The largest universities in Chester County, PA by number of degrees awarded are West Chester University of Pennsylvania (4,111 and 60.8%), Immaculata University (877 and 13%), and Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc (755 and 11.2%).

The most popular majors in Chester County, PA are Automobile Mechanics Technology (623 and 9.22%), Registered Nursing (441 and 6.53%), and General Business Administration & Management (375 and 5.55%).

The median tuition costs in Chester County, PA are $25,916 for private four year colleges, and $7,304 and $15,138 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    241 degrees awarded

  2. Registered Nursing

    437 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    285 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Chester County, PA was General Business Administration & Management with 241 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Chester County, PA according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

    4,111 degrees awarded

  2. Immaculata University

    877 degrees awarded

  3. Universal Technical Institute of Pennsylvania Inc

    755 degrees awarded

$7,304

Median In-State Public

$25,916

Median Private

In 2016, the Chester County, PA institution with the largest number of graduating students was West Chester University of Pennsylvania with 4,111 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,963

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,795

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 2,963 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chester County, PA, which is 0.781 times less than the 3,795 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Chester County, PA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    4,949 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    878 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    374 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Chester County, PA were to White students. These 4,949 degrees mean that there were 5.64 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 878 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Chester County, PA was $355,000 in 2017, which is 1.63 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $347,700 to $355,000, a 2.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Chester County, PA is 75.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Chester County, PA have an average commute time of 25.7 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Chester County, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$96,656

Median Household Income

± $3,279

190k

Number of Households

± 6,151

In 2017, the median household income of the 190k households in Chester County, PA grew to $96,656 from the previous year's value of $92,407.

The following chart displays the households in Chester County, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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Housing

Property Value

$355,000

2017 Median

± $6,861

$347,700

2016 Median

± $7,246

In 2017, the median property value in Chester County, PA grew to to $355,000 from the previous year's value of $347,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Chester County, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chester County, PA the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Chester County, PA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chester County, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

75.4%

2017 Homeownership

74.1%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 75.4% of the housing units in Chester County, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Chester County, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Chester County, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Chester County, PA have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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Commute Time

25.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chester County, PA have a longer commute time (25.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.01% of the workforce in Chester County, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Chester County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    79.2%

  2. Worked At Home

    7.85%

  3. Carpooled

    7.39%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Chester County, PA was Drove Alone (79.2%), followed by those who Worked At Home (7.85%) and those who Carpooled (7.39%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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