Cumberland Valley Communities Cumberland Valley offers a strategic location, a mix of industries, a thriving economy, and a high quality of life. U.S. Census Data indicates that Cumberland County is the fastest growing county in the state, with a 10.2% increase in population between 2010 and 2020. The county has also been ranked as the number one county to live in. A list of additional accolades attests to the region’s popularity. Location Cumberland County’s proximity to major East Coast markets and regional seaports plus its access to multiple air, rail, and highway systems accelerate connections between businesses, suppliers, and customers. The County, located within the Cumberland Valley region of South Central Pennsylvania, offers easy access to Interstate 81, I-83, I-76, and US 11/15. Cumberland Valley is also within a two-to-three hour drive of every major city on the Northeast Corridor, including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. The close proximity to the state capital of Harrisburg offers many nearby amenities, including the transportation hubs of the Harrisburg International Airport and Amtrak. The Economy Cumberland Valley, which encompasses Cumberland County and the surrounding area, thrives from the approximately 6,000 businesses that employ about 116,000 people. Cumberland County’s unemployment rate continues to be one of the lowest in the state. This positive employment climate is partly due to major employers in the government, healthcare, retail, transportation, and warehousing industries that are located, and in many cases headquartered, within Cumberland Valley. View Cumberland County’s up-to-date Labor force reports. On average, it is 75% more expensive to live in a city like New York than in Cumberland Valley. Also, according to the PA Department of Labor & Industry, the cost of living in the south-central PA region is almost 5% below the national average. According to the National Association of Counties: 2019 GDP was $14.47 B In 2019, the top three industries for economic output were Professional & Business Services, Government & Government Enterprises, and Educational Services, Healthcare & Social Assistance 2019 Median Household Income was $71,269 2020 Labor Force was 130,651 2010 to 2020 Population Change: 10.22% View the most recent information about Cumberland County from the National Association of Counties. AAA Bond Rating Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services assigned its “AAA” long-term rating, with a stable outlook, to Cumberland County, PA. Cumberland County has been “AAA” rated since 2008 and is one of only four Pennsylvania counties that receive the highest rating. The AAA rating reflects the following factors for the county: A strong economy and a diverse employment base that continues to expand Very strong budgetary flexibility Adequate budgetary performance Very strong cash levels to cover both debt service and expenditures Very strong management with strong financial policies that are likely sustainable Very strong debt and contingent liabilities position and low overall debt CUMBERLAND VALLEY TOWNS The county consists of 33 townships and boroughs. Together these municipalities combine the best of rural landscapes and thriving downtowns to create an abundance of business opportunities plus a collection of outdoor recreation, military history, renowned events, and an eclectic mix of shopping and dining that attest to the region’s quality of life. Explore each community below. Visit the PA Site Selector tool and click on communities for detailed data and demographics. BOILING SPRINGS Located in South Middleton Township, Boiling Springs is a designated Appalachian Trail Community. It is home to Allenberry Resort, fly-fishing, historic buildings, and scenic Children’s Lake. Learn more. CAMP HILL Located only two miles from the state capital, downtown Camp Hill is lined with restaurants, shops, spas, and salons, with nearby parks and Civil War sites. Learn more. CARLISLE Carlisle is the county seat. The charming town has a rich history and features numerous local shops and restaurants along its tree-lined streets. It is home to Dickinson College and was recently voted #4 in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Small Towns. Forbes ranked Carlisle as one of the cheapest cities to live in and the second-best place to raise a family in the nation. Learn more. ENOLA Enola, bordering the Susquehanna River on the northern edge of the County, developed with the building of rail lines through the area. It is a quintessential small town with several local businesses and outdoor opportunities, including the popular Adams-Ricci Community Park. Learn more. LEMOYNE Lemoyne is located at the crossroads of Interstate 83 and U.S. Routes 11/15. Just a short driving distance to the state capital, Lemoyne is home to the West Shore Farmers Market and Negley Park, which offers a beautiful view of the Harrisburg skyline. Learn more. MECHANICSBURG Mechanicsburg is home to many historic sites and a unique collection of local shops. Just outside of downtown, residents and visitors will find big box shopping, dining, and other amenities along the Carlisle Pike. Recent store openings include REI and Trader Joe’s. The town is also home to the Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg. Learn more. MOUNT HOLLY SPRINGS The 913-acre Mt. Holly Marsh Preserve is just one of the many outdoor recreational facilities easily accessed from Mt. Holly Springs. As with many communities within the Cumberland Valley, Mt. Holly is also rich in history. Learn more. NEW CUMBERLAND New Cumberland caps the southern border of the County along the Susquehanna River and is home to the DLA Distribution Susquehanna. The downtown features a collection of local shops and restaurants. The recently restored West Shore Theatre anchors the downtown and serves as a cinema house and performing arts venue. Learn more. NEWBURG The small community of Newburg is located between Newville and Shippensburg. The borough and township are mostly rural, with a focus on agriculture. NEWVILLE Newville is home to the second largest freshwater spring stream in the country, the Big Spring. As one of the trailheads of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, this rural community offers lovely scenic vistas and outdoor recreation opportunities, including Colonel Denning State Park. Learn more. SHIPPENSBURG The oldest community in the Cumberland Valley, Shippensburg sits on the western border of the County. The town is home to Shippensburg University, one of the 14 universities in the State System of Higher Education. Residents and visitors enjoy various year-round performances at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center on campus. The Cumberland Valley Railroad Museum now serves as a focal point at the Shippensburg Station trailhead of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail (CVRT) and provides visitors with an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about CVRT’s heritage. Learn more. WORMLEYSBURG If you are looking for a place to relax along the Susquehanna River, Wormleysburg’s restaurants offer the greatest view in the Valley. Wormleysburg is also home to several businesses and also offers housing options overlooking the river. Learn more. ACCOLADES CUMBERLAND VALLEY SUCCESSES Cumberland Valley has received many accolades and awards throughout the years. View our community’s successes below and click the links for additional details. Carlisle was voted #4 in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Small Towns (June 2022) Think Advisor ranked the Harrisburg-Carlisle area #9 in their list of 15 Best Cities for Millenial Home Buyers: 2021 Carlisle is one of 10 communities across the country to receive a 2021 All-America City Award from the National Civic League (June 2021) Carlisle named one of the Safest College Towns in America by SafeWise.com (October 2020) Harrisburg-Carlisle area ranked top 10 Best Places for Millennial Homebuyers (July 2019) Cumberland County ranked most prosperous county in PA (March 2019) Cumberland County ranks #9 in insurance coverage in Pennsylvania (2019) Mechanicsburg ranks #5 in the state for Best Places to Retire (October 2018) Cumberland Valley voted #4 in the U.S. for Top Towns for Craft Lovers (July 2016) Carlisle voted America’s Strongest Town (April 2016) Cumberland County ranks #5 in the state for health outcomes (April 2016) Cumberland Valley voted #6 for the Top 10 Towns for Craft Lovers in America (Sept 2015) Cumberland Among Top Counties in Pennsylvania for Mortgage Approval (Sept 2015) Money Magazine named Carlisle Number 5 in the Best Places for Walking and Biking (Aug 2015) Camp Hill places in top-10 for best places to start a business in the state (Aug 2015) Cumberland County ranks in Top 5 in PA for Retirement Ready counties (July 2015) Cumberland County scores highest in PA for incoming investments (July 2015) Laurel Lake ranked the Best Lake for Tourists in PA (July 2015) Harrisburg-Carlisle was ranked #12 across the US for best places for law graduates (July 2015) Carlisle ranked #16 in Livability’s Top 100 Small Towns in America (June 2015) Pennsylvania #1 for turning rails to trails (June 2015) Carlisle was ranked #4 by Livability for Best Cities for Veterans (May 2015) Cumberland County highest growth in PA, 2010-2014, projected to grow 19.2% until 2040 (April 2015) Southeastern and south central Pa. dominate county population growth (Mar 2015)