Moving to Chambersburg or recently relocated to the Chambersburg area? Our annual Community Profile & Membership Directory provides detailed information about living and working in the greater Chambersburg area - from education to real estate to leisure activities and everything in between.
Click the button below to view the online version, or submit an Information Request for the Relocation Packet.
Local Resources
You may also use the resources below to for highlights about the area. Click on the link to jump to each section.
Relocation Packet Request
Population
Boroughs in Franklin County
Cost of Living
Housing
Jobs
Schools
Health Care
Retirement
History
Arts & Culture
Outdoor Recreation
Major Industries in Franklin County
Taxes
Obtaining a PA Driver’s License
Franklin County Voter’s Registration
Utilities Information
View Additional Resources Here
For more information about living in Pennsylvania, click here.
Relocation Packet Request
Request a relocation packet to be sent to your address. The packet includes the Chamber’s Business Directory & Community Profile, which is loaded with tons of information about the area and a listing of local businesses. The packet also includes a variety of additional resources, such as local publications, pamphlets from businesses of interest and more. Click here to request a Relocation Packet.
Please Note: A nominal fee will apply to cover the cost of postage. Once your information is submitted, someone from the Chamber will be in touch regarding payment for this package. Once payment is made, the packet will be mailed.
Population
Franklin County 2010 Census Information
The Borough of Chambersburg has a population of 20,268, according to the 2010 Census. Greene, Guilford, Hamilton, Letterkenny, Lurgan and St. Thomas townships - other municipalities in the greater Chambersburg area - have 52,423 residents, bringing the total population of the area to 78,626. Franklin County was the fourth fastest-growing county in Pennsylvania in the last Census. Franklin County’s population estimate as of 2014 is 152,892.
Click here for more detailed demographic information about Chambersburg.
Boroughs in Franklin County
Chambersburg is located in Franklin County, which serves as the county seat. In addition to Chambersburg, other boroughs in the county are:
Greencastle - population of 3,996
Mercersburg - population of 1,516
Waynesboro - population of 10,568.
Shippensburg (partially in Franklin County and partially in Cumberland County) - population of 5,492
The greater Chambersburg area comprises nearly half of Franklin County’s population. Franklin County is 774 square miles and Chambersburg is 6.9 square miles. Click here to view a map of the area.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Chambersburg is 11.6% less than the Pennsylvania average, and 10.2% less than the national average. The tax climate is a favorable one. Pensions are not taxed in Pennsylvania, and Franklin County's taxes are among the 10 lowest of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
Click here for more information about prices in Chambersburg - from homes to gas to cups of coffee.
Housing
Homes are available for nearly every budget. An excellent way to get started on your search for a new home is to visit the real estate listings in the business directory: business.chambersburg.org - Real Estate.
Jobs
Unemployment in Franklin County is among the lowest in Pennsylvania, and lower than the rate in Pennsylvania and the rate in the U.S. (Click here to see the latest unemployment statistics - then click on Unemployment Data.) The current market provides job seekers with a variety of opportunities.
Local job search resources:
Franklin County Works - www.franklincountyworks.com
Chambersburg Public Opinion - www.publicopiniononline.com/jobs
Pennsylvania Careerlink - www.cwds.pa.gov
Schools
The Borough of Chambersburg and the townships of Greene, Guilford, Hamilton, Letterkenny and Lurgan are served by the Chambersburg Area School District (CASD), which enrolls over 8,700 students. It has 13 elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. It also has a Career Magnet School, focusing on science, technology, math and engineering. Visit the CASD website to learn more: www.chambersburg.k12.pa.us.
The greater Chambersburg area also has a variety of private, parochial, residential, technical and special education schools, as well as a number of colleges and universities. View the Schools, Colleges & Universities section of the business directory for a full list: business.chambersburg.org - Schools, Colleges & Universities
If you are a new resident to Pennsylvania, you may want to peruse the state’s Department of Education website.
Health Care
Chambersburg has a strong selection of health care opportunities. The two primary health care providers are Summit Health and Keystone Health.
Chambersburg Hospital, part of the Summit Health system, serves the greater Chambersburg area with a 24-hour intensive care unit, a coronary care unit, pediatric unit and acute and general care services.
Keystone Health is a full-service, family-centered, primary care facility that focuses on affordable health care. It was one of the first Federally Qualified Health Centers in the country to develop urgent care, crisis intervention and cardiology centers.
For additional information on health services and health care providers, visit the Health Care category in the business directory: business.chambersburg.org - Health Care.
Retirement
Chambersburg and Waynesboro were ranked in the top 10 best places to retire in Pennsylvania by the Niche Local in 2016. Area retirees have many options in housing and personal care, with a variety of communities offering services and recreational opportunities that add to the quality of life.
For the active retiree looking for volunteer opportunities or ways to get involved in the community, search through the community and civic organizations listed in the business directory: business.chambersburg.org - Community & Civic Organizations
View a list of area retirement communities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the business directory: business.chambersburg.org - Retirement
History
Did you know Chambersburg is the only town north of the Mason-Dixon line to be burned by the Confederates during the Civil War? From Civil War history to frontier life, the Chambersburg area is rich with culture and history and has access to a number of historic and cultural sites within Franklin County, as well as in neighboring counties and states. We encourage you to explore some of these historical sites:
Allison-Antrim Museum - www.greencastlemuseum.org
Antietam National Battlefield (MD) - www.nps.gov/anti
Appalacian Trail Museum - www.atmuseum.org
Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours - www.civilwarseminars.org
Chambersburg Heritage Center & Gift Shop - www.chambersburg.org/HeritageCenter
Conococheague Institute - www.fortedwards.org/cwffa/conoc
Franklin County Historical Society - franklinhistorical.org
Gettysburg National Military Park - www.nps.gov/gett
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (WV) - www.nps.gov/hafe
Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor - www.lhhc.org
Pennsylvania National Fire Museum - www.pnfm.org
Preserving Our Heritage Archives & Museum - preservingourheritage.homestead.com
Renfrew Museum & Park - www.renfrewmuseum.org
Arts & Culture
There are also variety of quality arts venues throughout the area. In Chambersburg, The Capitol Theatre Center, built around a charming and historic 1927 movie house, is the hub of the town's cultural activity. The Center, located downtown at 159 South Main Street, houses the Capitol Theatre, The Wood Center Stage, Council for the Arts, Caledonia Theater Company, Chambersburg Community Theatre, and Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School and Youth Company.
Regional theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, also brings art to the area thought professional theatrical productions. Pennsylvania’s premiere summer stock theatre is located in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg.
Education in the arts is vital for any community, and Chambersburg has wonderful art and music education opportunities for people of all ages. Cumberland Valley School of Music offers a variety of music programs and sessions, and the Council for the Arts hosts regular studio art classes in a variety of media.
For local artists, an artist co-operative is also in the works for Chambersburg. The Foundry has a mission to develop a community for creatives that fosters, encourages and celebrates the diverse talents within the Cumberland Valley, giving artists an opportunity to network, create, exhibit, and sell their work.
As you can see, there's lots of arts offerings in the Chambersburg area. For more arts, culture and entertainment, view the business directory: business.chambersburg.org - Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Outdoor Recreation
Chambersburg is nestled in the beautiful Cumberland Valley, with its rich soils and rolling hills. Outdoor activities are plentiful in the area, from golfing to fishing and more. The greater Chambersburg area has access to several parks:
Buchanan's Birthplace State Park - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/buchanansbirthplace
Caledonia State Park - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/caledonia
Cowan’s Gap State Park - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/cowansgap
Mont Alto State Park - www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/montalto
Michaux State Forest - www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/
Chambersburg's Memorial Park - www.borough.chambersburg.pa.us/rec_dep/memorial
Chambers Fort Park - www.facebook.com/ChambersFortPark/
Twin Bridge Campground - www.twinbridgecampground.com/
Chambersburg Rail Trail - www.chambersburgpa.gov/rec_dep/railtrail.php
Antrim Township Community Park - www.twp.antrim.pa.us
Enoch Brown Memorial Park - www.twp.antrim.pa.us/
Jerome R. King Playground - jeromekingplayground.com/
Norlo Park - www.norlopark.com/
View more of the area’s outdoor recreation opportunities in the business directory - business.chambersburg.org - Sports & Recreation
Major Industries in Franklin County
The manufacturing and distribution industries remain strong in the greater Chambersburg area. Agriculture is another key industry in the county. Nearly half of Franklin County’s land is dedicated to agriculture. health care, education and government are top industries that employ many in the area.
Top 10 Employers in Franklin County:
- WellSpan Health - Formerly Summit Health - 3,600
- Letterkenny Army Depot - 3,600
- Chambersburg Area School District - 1,125
- Manitowoc Crane Group - 1,800
- Procter & Gamble NE Mixing Center - 900
- Volvo Construction Equipment - 825
- Menno Haven - 705
- Franklin County Government - 690
- Ventura Foods - 630
- ULTA Beauty Distribution - 600
Employment numbers are approximate.
Taxes
Pennsylvania law allows local and county government and school districts to levy property and earned income taxes to fund the services they provide. Real estate property taxes are based on the assessed value of real estate. Questions on assessed value may be directed to Franklin County Assessment Office at 717-261-3801.
The earned income and net profits tax charges 1.7% on residents earned income like wages, salaries or compensation for work. Unearned income - such as interest, dividends, pensions and Social Security - are exempt from this tax. Questions on this tax should be directed to the Chambersburg Wage Tax Office at 717-263-5141. Property tax questions should be directed to the local tax collectors.
Pennsylvania has a flat tax rate of 3.07% on earned and unearned income, excluding pension income. For additional information on Pennsylvania taxes, access the PA Department of Revenue website: www.revenue.state.pa.us.
Obtaining a Pennsylvania Driver’s License
Visit the Driver’s License Center at 1320 Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg and surrender your out-of-state driver’s license. The out-of-state license must be valid or have expired no more than six months ago. Pennsylvania requires a vision-screening test and proof of identification -- a passport, birth certificate or military ID and proof of residency such as a copy of a mortgage, lease or utility bill.
For additional information about driving in Pennsylvania, visit the state’s transportation website for license and registration information.
Franklin County Voter’s Registration
To register to vote in Franklin County, visit the Franklin County Voter’s Registration Office website, www.franklincountypa.gov, or contact them at 717-261-3886.
Utilities
Electric Service |
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| Allegheny Power | 800-255-3443 | |
| Borough of Chambersburg | 717-263-4111 | |
Water Service |
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| Bear Valley Water | 717-369-2828 | |
| Borough of Chambersburg | 717-263-4111 | |
| Borough of Greencastle | 717-597-7143 | |
| Borough of Mercersburg | 717-328-3116 | |
| Guilford Water Authority | 717-263-2813 | |
Gas Service |
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| Borough of Chambersburg | 717-263-4111 | |
| Columbia Gas | 888-460-4332 | |
Sewer Service |
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| Antrim Township Sewer | 717-597-9798 | |
| Borough of Chambersburg | 717-263-4111 | |
| Borough of Greencastle | 717-597-3225 | |
| Borough of Mercersburg | 717-328-3324 | |
| Greene Township Sewer | 717-263-5324 | |
| Guilford Township Sewer | 717-264-7653 | |
| Hamilton Township Sewer | 717-264-8959 | |
| Letterkenny Township Sewer | 717-532-8716 | |
| St. Thomas Sewer | 717-369-5890 | |
Refuse Service |
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| Borough of Chambersburg | 717-261-3213 | |
| Waste Management | 800-634-4595 | |
Local Telephone Service |
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| CenturyLink | 800-786-6272 | |
Cable TV |
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| Comcast Cable | 800-266-2278 | |