Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Lancaster County
Lancaster County Courthouse in Lancaster
Flag of Lancaster County
Official seal of Lancaster County
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°02′N 76°15′W / 40.04°N 76.25°W / 40.04; -76.25
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMay 10, 1729
Named forLancaster, Lancashire
SeatLancaster
Largest cityLancaster
Area
 • Total984 sq mi (2,550 km2)
 • Land944 sq mi (2,440 km2)
 • Water40 sq mi (100 km2)  4.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total552,984
 • Estimate 
(2022)[1]
556,629
 • Density560/sq mi (220/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitewww.co.lancaster.pa.us

Lancaster County (/ˈlæŋkɪstər/; Pennsylvania Dutch: Lengeschder Kaundi), sometimes nicknamed the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 552,984, making it Pennsylvania's sixth-most populous county.[2] Its county seat is also Lancaster.[3] Lancaster County comprises the Lancaster metropolitan statistical area. The county is part of the South Central region of the state.[a]

Lancaster County is a tourist destination with its Amish community being a major attraction. The ancestors of the Amish began to immigrate to colonial Pennsylvania in the early 18th century to take advantage of the religious freedom offered by William Penn,[4] as well as the area's rich soil and mild climate.[5] They were joined by French Huguenots fleeing the religious persecution of Louis XIV.[6][7] There were also significant numbers of English, Welsh and Ulster Scots (also known as the Scotch-Irish in the colonies).

  1. ^ "QuickFacts: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference new-census was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Introduction Archived December 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Xroads.virginia.edu. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  5. ^ lancaster, pa. Web.archive.org (March 11, 2007; retrieved December 23, 2010.)
  6. ^ THE PENNSYLVANIA LEFEVRES. History and Genealogy Book accessed May 31, 2009
  7. ^ "Historical papers and addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society" County Historical Society pages 101–124. pub 1917


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