Moving to Millersville, PA: 2026 Living Guide

Millersville is Lancaster County’s college town. The borough grew up around the state’s first teachers’ academy, founded in 1854 and chartered as a normal school in 1855, and that school is now Millersville University. The campus takes up about a quarter of the borough, so the calendar, the traffic and even the rental market move with the academic year. Step off campus, though, and you find quiet residential streets, a 21-acre community park, a public golf course along the Conestoga River and farmland a few minutes out.

Millersville suits university faculty and staff, grad students, young families who want Penn Manor schools, and anyone who works in Lancaster but would rather live in a smaller place four miles away. It is also a steady rental market for landlords and a good fit for retirees who like having concerts, sports and a university library down the street.

Planning a move to Millersville? Call our York PA & Maryland team at 717-844-5125 or get your price online.

Where Is Millersville, PA?

Millersville is a borough in Lancaster County, in South Central Pennsylvania. Wikipedia places it 4 miles southwest of Lancaster, the county seat, and the borough describes itself as five miles southwest of the center of Lancaster city and six miles east of the Susquehanna River. The southern edge of the borough touches the Conestoga River. Pennsylvania Routes 741 and 999 are the main roads in and out of town, and the borough’s Crossings at Penn Ridge development sits along them.

Approximate driving distances and times from Millersville, based on OpenStreetMap routing (real times vary with traffic):

Downtown Lancaster (Penn Square): about 4 miles, under 10 minutes
Lancaster Airport: about 10 miles
York: about 25 miles, roughly 45 minutes
Harrisburg: about 40 miles, roughly 1 hour
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT): about 34 miles
Baltimore: about 77 miles
Philadelphia: about 83 miles
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): about 71 miles
Washington, DC: about 115 miles

For most flights, residents use Harrisburg International or Philadelphia International. Lancaster Airport is the closest airfield.

Millersville Population & Demographics

Millersville counted 7,903 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 estimate is 9,280. Those numbers include students living in town, which is why the median age is just 21.9. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, and about a third of adults hold at least a bachelor’s degree. The poverty rate looks high at 23.1%, but as in most college towns, student households with little reported income push that figure up.

Measure	Millersville borough	Data year
Population (2020 Census)	7,903	2020
Population estimate	9,280	July 1, 2025
Median age	21.9	ACS 2020–2024
Persons under 18	14.4%	ACS 2020–2024
Persons 65 and over	11.8%	ACS 2020–2024
Median household income	$67,866	ACS 2020–2024 (2024 dollars)
Per capita income	$22,820	ACS 2020–2024 (2024 dollars)
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	33.9%	ACS 2020–2024
Owner-occupied housing rate	57.0%	ACS 2020–2024
Mean travel time to work	19.5 minutes	ACS 2020–2024
Land area	1.93 square miles	2020

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and Census Reporter (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Is Millersville Safe?

We did not find a current, borough-level crime report we could cite, so we will not quote a number here. What we can tell you is that Millersville runs its own police department around the clock. According to the borough, the department has 13 full-time officers, including an officer assigned as the Penn Manor School District resource officer. Millersville University also has its own police department on campus.

For current information, contact the Millersville Borough Police through the borough website (millersvilleborough.org), sign up for the borough’s Rave Alert notifications, and visit the specific street you are considering on a weeknight and a weekend. Blocks next to campus are livelier during the semester than streets on the north end of town.

Cost of Living in Millersville

Millersville is not the cheapest address in Lancaster County, but it is priced close to the state average and below the national median, with a rent market shaped by the university.

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index (smoothed, seasonally adjusted) puts the typical Millersville home value at about $356,000 as of August 31, 2026, up 3.7% from a year earlier. For comparison, Zillow’s figure for all of Lancaster County is about $387,900 and for Pennsylvania about $290,400. The Census Bureau’s longer-running measure, the median value of owner-occupied homes, was $277,600 for 2020–2024. That compares with $254,500 for Pennsylvania and $332,700 for the United States on the same measure. Keep in mind that the Zillow figure reflects current market values, while the Census number is based on what owners reported over a five-year period.

Rent

Median gross rent in Millersville was $1,369 a month (2020–2024), above Pennsylvania’s $1,209 and a little under the national $1,413. Units within walking distance of campus often lease on an academic-year cycle, so the best selection for non-students tends to show up in late spring and summer.

Best Neighborhoods in Millersville

Millersville is only about two square miles, so “neighborhoods” here are really sections of town. Each has a different rhythm.

Near Campus (South Millersville)

Millersville University sits in the southern part of the borough on a 250-acre campus. The streets around it are a mix of older single-family homes, converted multi-unit houses and apartments. This is the best fit for students, faculty who want to walk to work and investors looking at rentals. Expect more foot traffic, more cars during the semester and tighter parking. If you are moving in, avoid the university’s move-in and move-out weekends, when curb space is hard to find.

North End Near Freedom Memorial Park

The borough’s 21-acre Freedom Memorial Park sits off Blue Rock Road at the northern end of town, and the residential streets nearby feel more like a typical Lancaster County small town. It suits families and year-round residents who want a playground, ball fields and a walking path close by while staying a short drive from downtown Lancaster. Penn Manor High School and Eshleman Elementary are both inside the borough.

Edges of Town and Manor Township

Millersville was once the largest village in Manor Township, and the township still surrounds much of the borough. Past the borough line, lots tend to get bigger and the setting turns more rural, which appeals to buyers who want a yard, a garage and room to spread out while keeping Penn Manor schools. It is a good match for commuters who still want a short drive into Lancaster. Always check whether a property is in the borough or a township, because taxes, trash service and police coverage differ.

Weather & Climate

Millersville has four distinct seasons. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for nearby Lancaster, as published on Wikipedia, show a January average high of 39.9°F and low of 22.2°F, and a July average high of 87.0°F with lows around 64.7°F. The area averages about 44 inches of precipitation a year and 21.4 inches of snow, with February the snowiest month at about 7.4 inches.

For moving, late April through early June and September through October usually give the most comfortable weather. July and August are hot and humid, and winter storms can close roads for a day. In Millersville specifically, the university calendar matters as much as the weather. The weeks when students move in and out are the busiest for trucks and rentals in town.

Things to Do in Millersville

Freedom Memorial Park

The borough’s main park covers 21.1 acres and was dedicated on July 4, 1975, on land that was once part of the Shertzer family farm. It has three picnic pavilions, a walking trail, two Little League and softball fields, a skate park, a basketball court, a playground and the Rutter Gazebo. A Veterans Memorial with more than 2,000 engraved bricks was dedicated there in 2013. The borough received state grant funding in 2026 for a new accessible playground, restrooms and walkways.

Millersville University Arts and Athletics

You do not have to be a student to use the university. The borough points out that most university games and matches are open to the public, and the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center hosts concerts, musicals and the MU Jazz Ensemble through the year. Borough residents can also get a McNairy Library card with the annual fee waived, and the library has its own Starbucks café.

Crossgates Golf Club

Crossgates, at 1 Crossland Pass, is an 18-hole public course bordered by the Conestoga River, with a driving range, pro shop and restaurant. It is a quick way to get outside on a weekday evening without driving across the county.

Lancaster Central Market

Four miles away in downtown Lancaster, Central Market bills itself as the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in America, established in 1730. It is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a good first-week stop for local produce, baked goods and lunch.

The Ware Center and Long’s Park

The Ware Center at 42 North Prince Street in Lancaster works with Millersville University to bring exhibitions, performances and films downtown. In summer, the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation, which has served Lancaster since 1962, runs its Summer Music Series and an annual art festival in Long’s Park.

Where to Eat in Millersville

Jack’s Family Tavern

Jack’s, at 15 South Prince Street in Millersville, is a classic local tavern with burgers, chili and loaded fries. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., closed only on Christmas Day, which makes it a reliable late dinner after a long unloading day.

The Bunker at Crossgates

The restaurant and bar at Crossgates Golf Club serves lunch and dinner daily and opens at 9 a.m. on weekends. You do not have to golf to eat there, and the course views make it a relaxed spot for a meal with visiting family.

Two Cousins Pizza

Two Cousins Pizza has a Millersville shop at 115 Manor Avenue, part of a small Lancaster County chain known for its pizza and bread. Online ordering is available, which is handy when the kitchen is still in boxes.

Jobs & Economy

Health care, education, logistics and manufacturing drive the Lancaster County economy. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s list of the county’s top employers for the first quarter of 2026 is led by Lancaster General Hospital, followed by Mutual Assistance Group, Onewell LLC, Lancaster County government and Giant Food Stores. The PA State System of Higher Education, which includes Millersville University, ranks 22nd, and the Penn Manor School District ranks 36th. Other large county employers include Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Dart Container, Fulton Bank, Armstrong World Industries, Turkey Hill Dairy and Franklin & Marshall College.

Most Millersville residents work nearby. The Census Bureau puts the average commute at 19.5 minutes, shorter than the U.S. average, because downtown Lancaster and its hospitals and offices are only a few miles away.

Schools in Millersville

Public students attend the Penn Manor School District, which covers about 110 square miles across Millersville Borough and Manor, Conestoga, Martic and Pequea townships. The district operates one high school, two middle schools and seven elementary schools, plus virtual and alternative programs. Penn Manor High School and Eshleman Elementary School are both located inside the borough. High school students can also attend the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center for trades, health and public safety training.

Millersville University, founded in 1855, is part of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and enrolls roughly 6,500 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students, according to Wikipedia. Franklin & Marshall College and other schools are a short drive away in Lancaster.

Millersville Quick Facts

County	Lancaster County
ZIP code	17551
Area codes	717 and 223
Land area	1.93 square miles
Borough office	100 Municipal Drive
Main roads	PA Route 741, PA Route 999
Nearest airports	Lancaster Airport (about 10 miles); Harrisburg International (about 34 miles); Philadelphia International (about 71 miles)
Public school district	Penn Manor School District
University	Millersville University (founded 1855)
Police	Millersville Borough Police Department

Moving to Millersville: Tips From Our Crew

Work around the university calendar. Semester move-in and move-out weekends fill the streets near campus with cars and trucks. Check the university calendar and, if you can, schedule your move a week before or after those dates.
Watch for street sweeping days. The borough runs a street sweeping program (the fall 2026 round began September 22) and asks residents not to park at the curb on scheduled dates. A truck parked on the wrong day can mean a ticket or a mid-move shuffle, so check the borough’s news page before booking.
Confirm borough or township. A Millersville mailing address does not always mean the borough. Trash pickup, parking rules and who you call for permits depend on the municipality, so check your property record before moving day.
Plan for older homes near campus. Many houses near the university have been split into apartments, with narrow stairs and small landings. Measure sofas, box springs and dressers ahead of time so we can plan disassembly.
Leaving a student rental? Our junk removal service can haul away the furniture you do not want to take, and storage can hold your things over the summer.
Keep electronics out of the trash. Under Pennsylvania’s Act 108, trash haulers do not accept TVs, computers and similar electronics. Set them aside for a recycling drop-off instead of leaving them at the curb.
Keep a winter backup date. Lancaster averages more than 20 inches of snow a year. If you are moving between December and March, pick a backup day and keep walkways salted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Millersville

How much does it cost to hire movers in Millersville?

The price depends on how much you are moving, the distance, stairs, packing and the date. A one-bedroom apartment near campus is a very different job from a four-bedroom house going out of state. The quickest way to a real number is a free quote. Call 717-844-5125 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Millersville a good place to live if you are not a student?

Many long-time residents think so. You get a small-town borough with its own police department, a large community park, a public golf course and free access to a university library, all four miles from downtown Lancaster. The trade-off is student traffic and parking near campus during the semester, so pick your street with that in mind.

How far is Millersville from Lancaster?

About 4 miles. Wikipedia places Millersville 4 miles southwest of Lancaster, and the borough says it is five miles from the center of the city. Most drives to Penn Square take under 10 minutes outside of rush hour.

What school district serves Millersville?

The Penn Manor School District. Penn Manor High School and Eshleman Elementary are located inside the borough, and the district also serves Manor, Conestoga, Martic and Pequea townships. Always confirm the district for a specific address before you buy.

When is the best time to move to Millersville?

Late spring and early fall offer the most comfortable weather, but avoid the university’s move-in and move-out weekends if you are moving near campus. Mid-month weekdays are usually the easiest dates to book, and summer is the most popular season for families.

Move to Millersville With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family owned since 2015, and our owners, Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman, stand behind every job. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. We have 850+ Google reviews across our five locations, and you can read them here.

From campus-area apartments to family homes in Manor Township, our Millersville movers handle local moves, long-distance moves, packing, storage and piano moves. Need a certificate of insurance for an apartment building? We provide it free. Call our York PA & Maryland team at 717-844-5125 or visit the Millersville moving page.

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Moving to Millersville, PA: Living in Millersville Guide