Moving to Hellam, PA: Living in Hellam Township

Hellam Township is the stretch of eastern York County between the city of York and the Susquehanna River. It is mostly farmland, orchards and wooded river hills, with the small borough of Hallam and the village of Hellam along the old Lincoln Highway. The township dates to 1739, when it was founded as the first township in the area, and today it is home to a new state park, a family orchard that has been growing fruit since 1951 and a house shaped like a giant work boot.

Hellam suits people who want room around them without a long drive to work. Nine in ten township households own their home, lots tend to be larger, and York is about 15 minutes away. It also works for commuters who split time between York and Lancaster, since the Route 30 bridge over the Susquehanna is just past the township line. If you want a walkable downtown or lots of apartments, you will find more of that in Hallam or York.

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

Where Is Hellam?

Hellam Township covers 27.7 square miles in eastern York County, Pennsylvania. It wraps around the borough of Hallam, and its eastern edge runs to the Susquehanna River near Wrightsville. The township was created in 1739 and originally took in all of what is now York and Adams counties. Hellam and Hallam share a name, just spelled differently: both trace back to Hallamshire in England, the birthplace of Lancaster County magistrate Samuel Blunston.

US Route 30 and the Lincoln Highway (Route 462) both run east and west through the township, which makes getting to York or across the river to Lancaster County simple. Approximate driving distances from Hallam, based on OSRM route calculations without traffic:

Wrightsville: about 4.3 miles, roughly 8 minutes
Downtown York: about 8.5 miles, roughly 16 minutes
Lancaster: about 19 miles, roughly 31 minutes
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT): about 28 miles, roughly 48 minutes
Harrisburg: about 31 miles, roughly 45 minutes
Baltimore: about 58 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes
BWI Airport: about 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 35 minutes
Philadelphia: about 95 miles, roughly 2 hours

Harrisburg International is the closest commercial airport. Many families flying out of the region also use BWI, which is a straight shot down I-83.

Hellam Population & Demographics

Hellam Township is small and steady. The 2020 Census counted 5,939 residents, and the Census Bureau estimates the township had 6,007 people by July 2025. The median age is 42.8, and household incomes run well above the state median. Hallam, the borough in the middle of the township, is younger and has more renters. The table below shows both, with York County and Pennsylvania for comparison.

Measure (ACS 2020–2024 unless noted)	Hellam Township	Hallam Borough	York County	Pennsylvania
Population (2020 Census)	5,939	2,777	—	—
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	6,007	2,798	473,197	13,059,432
Median age	42.8	33.7	41.1	40.9
Median household income	$94,750	$75,000	$84,829	$77,971
Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+)	26.2%	25.3%	27.6%	35.2%
Owner-occupied homes	90.5%	48.8%	76.3%	69.3%
Poverty rate	4.4%	17.5%	8.4%	11.7%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020–2024 American Community Survey via Census Reporter; 2020 Census counts via Wikipedia; Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates.

Is Hellam Safe?

We did not find a current, reliable crime-rate source for Hellam Township on its own, so we are not going to quote one. Hellam Township runs its own police department, which you can reach through the township website, and fire service comes jointly from the Hallam and Wrightsville fire departments. If safety data matters for a specific street, call the township police or check the township’s news page before you buy.

Cost of Living in Hellam

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index for the 17406 ZIP code, which covers Hellam, Hallam and the neighboring part of York, was about $298,700 in August 2026, up about 3.1% from a year earlier. That is a little below the York County index (about $311,100) and slightly above the statewide figure (about $290,400).

The Census Bureau’s survey data tells a similar story at the township level. The median value of owner-occupied homes in Hellam Township was $227,600 in the 2020–2024 ACS, and $198,600 in Hallam. Keep in mind that ACS values are what owners estimate their homes are worth, averaged over five years, so they usually trail current sale prices. Expect a real mix here: older stone and brick farmhouses, 1950s through 1970s ranchers and split-levels, and newer homes on bigger lots.

Rent

Rentals are limited in the township itself, since more than 90% of homes are owner-occupied. Most apartments and rented twins are in Hallam. The ACS median gross rent (rent plus utilities) was $1,289 in Hellam Township and $1,424 in Hallam, compared with $1,193 for York County and $1,209 for Pennsylvania. Zillow does not publish a rent index for the 17406 ZIP, so check current listings before you set a budget.

Best Neighborhoods in Hellam

Hallam Borough

Hallam is a 0.7-square-mile borough along West Market Street (the Lincoln Highway), incorporated in 1902. It is the most “in town” part of the area, with sidewalks, older homes, twins and apartments, and a few local shops and eateries. The median age is 33.7, and about half of households rent, so it suits first-time buyers, young families and renters who want a short drive to York. Kids here attend Kreutz Creek Elementary before moving on to Eastern York Middle and High School.

The Kreutz Creek Valley

Much of the township sits in the Kreutz Creek Valley, between Route 30 and the ridge that Samuel S. Lewis State Park sits on. This is orchard and farm country, dotted with the village of Hellam, older homesteads and scattered subdivisions. It suits buyers who want land, a garden, a workshop or a barn. Many homes sit on long driveways or country roads, so plan your moving-day logistics early (more on that below).

The River Hills

The northern and eastern parts of the township climb into wooded hills above the Susquehanna and Codorus Creek, where Susquehanna Riverlands State Park now protects more than 1,000 acres. Homes here are more spread out and often sit on steep or winding roads. It is a good fit for people who hike, fish or paddle and want the river in their backyard, and who do not mind a longer drive for groceries.

Weather & Climate

Hellam has four full seasons. The closest long-term NOAA station, York 3 SSW Pump Station, reports these 1991–2020 normals:

January: average high 41.2°F, average low 21.3°F
July: average high 87.7°F, average low 63.1°F
Precipitation: about 46.5 inches a year, with September the wettest month on average
Snowfall: about 24.6 inches a season, most of it in January (8.5 inches) and February (8.2 inches)

Extremes do happen. Hallam recorded a low of −21°F in January 1994 and a high of 105°F in July 1936. For moving, late April through early June and mid-September through October are usually the most comfortable. If you are moving in winter, keep a backup date in mind, especially if your driveway is steep or unpaved.

Things to Do in Hellam

Susquehanna Riverlands State Park

This state park was established in 2022 on 1,044 acres at the confluence of Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River. The park office is on Furnace Road. DCNR describes rock outcrop vistas over the river, nearly a mile of Susquehanna riverfront and 1.5 miles along Codorus Creek. About 2.75 miles of the 200-mile Mason-Dixon Trail runs through the park, and the Overlook Trail leads to a view from Schull’s Rock. Bald eagles and osprey are common sightings.

Samuel S. Lewis State Park

This 85-acre park sits on Mt. Pisgah, an 885-foot ridge that separates the Kreutz Creek Valley from the East Prospect Valley. It is about 12 miles east of York; from the Wrightsville exit of Route 30, follow Cool Creek Road south 1.5 miles to Mt. Pisgah Road. The park mixes mowed grass fields, a pine plantation and mature woods, and hunting is not allowed here, which makes it a quiet spot for a picnic.

Haines Shoe House

You can see it from Route 30. Shoe salesman Mahlon Haines built this five-story house shaped like a work boot in 1948 as an advertisement for his stores. It stands 25 feet tall and 48 feet long on Shoe House Road near the Lincoln Highway, and it received a Pennsylvania historical marker in 2023. Public tours ended in 2022, and the house is now a vacation rental, so it is a drive-by photo stop unless you book a night.

Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market

The Flinchbaugh family moved their farm to Hellam in 1951, and three generations now run nearly 420 acres on Ducktown Road. The market and bakery are open year-round, and fall brings U-pick apples, a corn maze and Saturday Harvest Fest weekends. It is one of the easiest ways to feel at home here in your first autumn.

Wrightsville and the River Towns

Just past the township’s eastern edge, Wrightsville sits at the foot of the bridges to Columbia and Lancaster County. It is an easy place for dinner on the river, a walk along Front Street or a quick trip across the Susquehanna.

Where to Eat in Hellam

John Wright Restaurant

Right on the river at 234 North Front Street in Wrightsville, John Wright Restaurant bills itself as “where York and Lancaster meet.” The kitchen buys from local farmers, and the Sunday prime rib brunch buffet and seasonal pizza patio are popular. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, and reservations are recommended.

Flinchbaugh’s Bakery and Market

For a quick breakfast or lunch, the bakery and ready-to-eat case at Flinchbaugh’s on Ducktown Road is a local habit. Pick up fresh apple cider in the fall, and grab baked goods on the way to a closing or a first night in a new house.

Round the Clock Diner

For a classic York diner, Round the Clock has two locations a short drive west of the township: 145 Memory Lane in East York and 222 Arsenal Road at Route 30 and I-83. Both are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which is handy on a late moving night.

Jobs & Economy

Most Hellam residents work elsewhere in York County or commute across the river toward Lancaster. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s list of York County’s top employers (first quarter 2026), the largest are York Hospital, the federal government, Amazon, WellSpan Health, Walmart, York County government, Giant Food Stores, BAE Systems, Kinsley Construction, Utz Quality Foods, FedEx, York International, and Harley-Davidson. Constellation Energy Generation and York College of Pennsylvania also make the top 50.

Inside the township, agriculture still matters, and the Route 30 and Route 462 corridors carry most of the local businesses. The township has also been working on an updated comprehensive plan in 2026, which is worth reading if you are buying land and want to know what may be built nearby.

Schools in Hellam

Hellam Township and Hallam are part of the Eastern York School District, which covers about 54 square miles of eastern York County overlooking the Susquehanna. The district serves six municipalities: East Prospect, Hallam, Hellam Township, Lower Windsor Township, Yorkana and Wrightsville. It runs five schools:

Kreutz Creek Elementary School (K–5)
Canadochly Elementary School (K–5)
Wrightsville Elementary School (K–5)
Eastern York Middle School (6–8)
Eastern York High School (9–12)

Confirm your assigned elementary school with the district before you sign a lease or agreement of sale, since township addresses can feed into different buildings. For college, York College of Pennsylvania is in nearby York, and the colleges in Lancaster are about 31 minutes away.

Hellam Quick Facts

County	York County, Pennsylvania
Type of government	Township (surrounds Hallam Borough)
Founded	1739
Land area	27.7 square miles
Population	5,939 (2020 Census); 6,007 (2025 estimate)
ZIP code	17406
Area codes	717 and 223 (10-digit dialing required)
School district	Eastern York School District
Main roads	US 30, Lincoln Highway (Route 462)
Nearest commercial airport	Harrisburg International (MDT), about 28 miles
Township office	35 Walnut Springs Road

Moving to Hellam: Tips From Our Crew

Tell us about your driveway. Many homes in the Kreutz Creek Valley and the river hills sit at the end of long lanes, gravel drives or narrow country roads. Let us know about tight turns, low branches, soft ground and where a truck can turn around. If a full-size truck cannot reach the door, we plan a smaller shuttle vehicle ahead of time.
Watch the weather on hills. York’s normals show more than 8 inches of snow in both January and February. Steep, shaded drives in the river hills ice up first. Keep salt or sand on hand for moving day, and have a backup date.
Plan for barns, sheds and workshops. Country properties often come with outbuildings full of tools, mowers and equipment. Walk those spaces with us during your estimate so we can bring the right crew size and truck space. Anything you do not want to move can go with our junk removal service.
Time your trip around Route 30. Route 30 is the main link to York and the river bridge, and it gets busy at rush hour. For moves toward Lancaster County, an early start keeps the truck ahead of bridge traffic.
Check the school feeder before you choose a house. Eastern York has three elementary schools, and where you land in the township decides which one your kids attend.
Book fall moves early. September and October are the most comfortable months to move, and also the busiest. Weekends near the orchards fill up with visitors, so a weekday move is usually easier.
Need time between homes? If your closing dates do not line up, our storage service can hold your things until the new place is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Hellam

How much does it cost to hire movers in Hellam?

It depends on the size of your home, how far you are going, how much packing you need, and access at both ends, such as long driveways, stairs or outbuildings. The best way to get a real number is a free quote. Call our York office at 717-844-5125 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm, or you can request a price online.

Is Hellam the same place as Hallam?

Not quite. Hellam Township is the larger township, about 27.7 square miles. Hallam is a separate 0.7-square-mile borough inside it, incorporated in 1902. Both names come from Hallamshire in England, and both use the 17406 ZIP code and the Eastern York School District.

How far is Hellam from York and Lancaster?

From Hallam, downtown York is about 8.5 miles (roughly 16 minutes) and Lancaster is about 19 miles (roughly half an hour) by way of Route 30 and the Susquehanna River bridge. Harrisburg is about 31 miles away.

Is Hellam a good place for families?

Many families choose it for the space, the high rate of homeownership and the Eastern York schools. Median household income is about $94,750, above both the county and state medians. Outdoor space is a big draw, with two state parks, the Mason-Dixon Trail and farm activities close by.

Can you move us across the river to Lancaster County or out of state?

Yes. We handle local moves across York and Lancaster counties, and we also do long-distance moves. For long-distance jobs you get a binding estimate, so the price does not change after you book, plus your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew from door to door and a guaranteed delivery date.

Move to Hellam 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 move. 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.

Our Hellam movers work out of our York County office and handle local moves, packing and unpacking, storage, and piano and safe moving. Military families get 5% off, and there is never a rescheduling fee. Call 717-844-5125 or visit our Hellam moving page to get started.

Get My Price

Moving to Hellam, PA: Living in Hellam Township Guide