Moving to Hershey, PA: 2026 Living in Hershey Guide

Hershey calls itself “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” and it earns the name honestly. Milton S. Hershey built the town around his chocolate factory in the early 1900s, and today the streetlights on Chocolate Avenue are shaped like Hershey’s Kisses. But there is a lot more to living here than chocolate. Hershey is home to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the Milton Hershey School and a population where half of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, far above nearby Harrisburg and York.

Hershey fits families who want a small-town feel, medical and research professionals, and retirees who like having a theme park, public gardens and a pro hockey team down the road. Homes cost more here than in Harrisburg or York, and the market moves fast. This guide walks through the numbers, neighborhoods, weather and moving tips we have picked up working in and around Derry Township.

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

Where Is Hershey, PA?

Hershey is an unincorporated community in Derry Township, in southeastern Dauphin County. It has no borough government of its own; Derry Township provides municipal services. The community sits about 14 miles east of Harrisburg, 68.8 miles north of Baltimore, 75.2 miles southwest of Allentown and 94.5 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Explore York lists Hershey as 37 miles from York County.

U.S. Route 422, known locally as Chocolate Avenue, runs through the center of town. U.S. Route 322 passes to the south and heads west about 15 miles to Harrisburg, and Pennsylvania Route 39 leads to Hersheypark and Chocolate World before continuing about 6 miles north to Interstate 81.

Harrisburg International Airport is about 12 miles to the southwest. There is no train station in Hershey itself, but Amtrak’s Keystone Service stops nearby in Middletown (9 miles), Elizabethtown (11 miles) and Harrisburg (13 miles), with direct service to Philadelphia.

Hershey Population & Demographics

The Hershey census-designated place had 13,858 residents at the 2020 Census, and all of Derry Township had 24,717. More than half of the township’s residents live within Hershey. The community has a highly educated population, with half of adults holding at least a bachelor’s degree, and a larger share of residents 65 and older than the surrounding cities.

Measure	Hershey CDP	Data year
Population (2020 Census)	13,858	2020
Derry Township population	24,717	2020
Median age	38.6	ACS 2020–2024
Persons under 18	16.9%	ACS 2020–2024
Persons 65 and over	21.2%	ACS 2020–2024
Median household income	$78,587	ACS 2020–2024 (2024 dollars)
Per capita income	$49,882	ACS 2020–2024 (2024 dollars)
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	50.2%	ACS 2020–2024
Owner-occupied housing rate	53.7%	ACS 2020–2024
Mean travel time to work	16.2 minutes	ACS 2020–2024

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Census Reporter (American Community Survey 5-year estimates) and Wikipedia (Derry Township, 2020 Census).

Is Hershey Safe?

Hershey is policed by the Derry Township Police Department. For current information about incidents or public safety alerts, check the police department section of the Derry Township website (derrytownship.org). As with any move, it is worth visiting a street at different times, especially if a home is near the busy attraction corridor on Hersheypark Drive, where traffic and crowds pick up during park season and big events.

Cost of Living in Hershey

Hershey is one of the pricier housing markets in the Harrisburg area. Homes cost more than the state and national medians, while rents stay closer to average.

Home Prices

Redfin reports that the median sale price of a home in Hershey was about $440,000 over the three months ending August 2026, down 13.8% from the same period a year earlier. The median price per square foot was $203, up 8.6%, which suggests the mix of homes selling shifted rather than values dropping. Homes sold in a median of 28 days, and Redfin rates the market “Very Competitive” with a Compete Score of 80.

The Census Bureau’s median value of owner-occupied homes in Hershey was $379,200 (2020–2024), compared with $254,500 for Pennsylvania and $332,700 for the United States.

Rent

Hershey’s median gross rent was $1,268 a month (2020–2024), a little above Pennsylvania’s $1,209 and below the national $1,413. Rent.com’s September 2026 listing averages were $1,120 for a one-bedroom and $1,270 for a two-bedroom. Rentals are limited compared with the cities, so start looking early, especially if you are timing a move around a job start at the Medical Center. If you need a place to land between leases, short-term storage can bridge the gap.

Best Neighborhoods in Hershey

Because Hershey is an unincorporated community inside Derry Township, “neighborhoods” here are really sections of town and a few nearby communities. These three come up most often.

Downtown Hershey (Chocolate Avenue)

The blocks around Chocolate Avenue are the heart of Milton Hershey’s original town, with older homes and The Hershey Story museum, restaurants and shops within walking distance. It suits people who want a walkable, small-town setting and short trips to Hersheypark and the Medical Center. Many homes here are older, so expect narrow staircases and smaller doorways on moving day.

Palmdale

Palmdale is a small census-designated place (1,308 residents at the 2010 Census) in eastern Derry Township, bordered on three sides by Hershey and on the east by Palmyra in Lebanon County. East Chocolate Avenue (U.S. 422) is its main road, leading about 12 miles east to Lebanon. It fits buyers who want the Derry Township school district and a slightly quieter setting a few minutes from downtown Hershey.

Hummelstown

Just west of Hershey, Hummelstown is a separate borough of 4,535 people (2020 Census) that dates to 1762. It sits between Harrisburg and Hershey, is a designated Tree City, and has shops and businesses that cater to visitors passing through. It works well for commuters who split time between Harrisburg and Hershey. Because it is a different municipality, confirm its school district and local rules before you buy.

Weather & Climate

Hershey has a humid continental climate with four clear seasons. Weather Spark describes the summers as wet, humid and warm and the winters as snowy and very cold, with temperatures typically ranging from 23°F to 85°F. July is the warmest month, with an average high of 85°F. January is the coldest, averaging a low of 24°F and a high of 37°F.

The snowy season runs from mid-November to early April, and February is the snowiest month at about 8.0 inches on average. Weather Spark rates mid-June to late September as the best stretch for warm-weather activities.

For moving, late spring and early fall offer comfortable temperatures. Keep in mind that summer is also Hersheypark’s peak season, which adds traffic around the park, so a weekday move is often easier than a weekend in July or August.

Things to Do in Hershey

Beyond the big-name attractions, Derry Township runs its own public library and parks and recreation department, which is handy for families getting settled.

Hersheypark

Founded in 1906 by Milton Hershey as a leisure park for his factory workers, Hersheypark is now a full theme park with roller coasters, a water park area called The Boardwalk and seasonal events. Its first roller coaster, the Wild Cat, opened in 1923. Season passes for 2027 are already on sale, and many locals buy them to make quick evening visits.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Hershey’s Chocolate World, off Hersheypark Drive, is open year-round. Its free Hershey’s Chocolate Tour ride is a local rite of passage. Other experiences include Create Your Own Candy Bar, Reese’s Stuff Your Cup, the Hershey’s Unwrapped chocolate tasting and the Hershey Trolley Works. The complex also has shops and restaurants specializing in Hershey’s products.

Hershey Gardens

Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre botanical garden at 170 Hotel Road, on a hill overlooking Hersheypark. It opened to the public in June 1937 with 7,000 roses and now has themed gardens including a rose garden with nearly 14,000 roses. The gardens are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hershey Story

The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, opened in 2009 at 63 West Chocolate Avenue. It covers the history of Milton Hershey and his company, and its Chocolate Lab lets you pour and decorate your own chocolate bar. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ZooAmerica

Founded by Milton Hershey in 1910, ZooAmerica covers 11 acres and focuses on North American wildlife, with more than 75 species and about 200 animals. It connects to Hersheypark and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Hershey Bears at GIANT Center

GIANT Center, a 10,500-seat arena, is home to the Hershey Bears, the longest-running member of the American Hockey League. The arena also hosts concerts, shows and public skating.

Where to Eat in Hershey

Fenicci’s of Hershey

Fenicci’s has served Italian food at 102 West Chocolate Avenue since 1935 and is a longtime favorite with locals. It is known for its meatballs and a bar that stays open late. The restaurant is closed Mondays, and the building’s age means it is not ADA accessible.

Tröegs Independent Brewing

Founded in 1997 by brothers John and Chris Trogner, Tröegs runs its brewery, tasting room and Snack Bar at 200 East Hershey Park Drive. The kitchen is open daily, and it is an easy stop after a day at the park or a long day of unpacking.

The Circular at The Hotel Hershey

The Circular is The Hotel Hershey’s flagship restaurant, serving American classics in a fine dining setting. It is a good pick for a celebration dinner once you are settled. The hotel also runs Trevi 5 for Italian and the 1933 Restaurant & Tavern for a steakhouse-style menu.

Jobs & Economy

Hershey punches far above its size as an employment center. In the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s list of Dauphin County’s top employers for the first quarter of 2026, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center ranks second behind state government. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts ranks third, The Hershey Company fourth, Penn State Health eighth and the Milton Hershey School ninth. The Derry Township School District also makes the county’s top 50.

That mix of health care, research, food manufacturing, tourism and education gives the local economy a steady base, and Harrisburg’s state government and private-sector jobs are about 14 miles west. Local production goes beyond chocolate, too: Hidden Still Spirits converted The Hershey Company’s former recycling facility into a distillery and restaurant, and Visit Hershey & Harrisburg calls it the largest bourbon producer in Pennsylvania.

Schools in Hershey

The Derry Township School District serves Hershey and the rest of the township and says it enrolls approximately 3,100 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, with full-day kindergarten. The district operates Hershey Elementary School, Hershey Middle School and Hershey High School, and high school students can also attend Dauphin County Technical School for trades training.

Hershey is also home to the Milton Hershey School, a private boarding school founded in 1909 by Milton and Catherine Hershey for students from low-income families. About 2,000 students attended in 2020. The Penn State College of Medicine is based at the Hershey Medical Center campus.

Hershey Quick Facts

County	Dauphin County
Municipality	Derry Township (Hershey is unincorporated)
ZIP code	17033
Area codes	717 (223 overlay)
Land area (CDP)	14.30 square miles
Founder	Milton S. Hershey
Main roads	U.S. 422 (Chocolate Avenue), U.S. 322, PA 39
Nearest airport	Harrisburg International (MDT), about 12 miles
Public school district	Derry Township School District
Pro sports	Hershey Bears (AHL hockey), GIANT Center

Moving to Hershey: Tips From Our Crew

Plan around Hersheypark traffic. On summer weekends and during seasonal events, traffic around Hersheypark Drive, PA 39 and Chocolate Avenue gets heavy. A weekday or early-morning start saves time.
Check the GIANT Center calendar. Hockey games and big concerts bring crowds to the same corridor. Look at the event schedule before you pick a moving day near the park.
Remember it is Derry Township. Hershey has no borough government, so permits, trash pickup and local rules come from Derry Township. If you need to reserve street space, that is who to call.
Protect older homes downtown. Homes near Chocolate Avenue often have original woodwork, plaster walls and tight stairs. We pad doorframes and banisters, but measure large furniture in advance.
Time job-related moves early. If you are starting at the Medical Center, The Hershey Company or the resorts, book your move as soon as you have a start date. Summer is the busiest moving season, and rentals in Hershey are limited.
Load smart on Chocolate Avenue. Downtown’s main street is also U.S. 422, a through route with steady traffic. When we can, we stage the truck on a side street or in a driveway rather than on the avenue itself.
Keep a winter backup day. Snow can fall from mid-November to early April, with February the snowiest month. Pick a backup date and keep driveways and walks clear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Hershey

How much does it cost to hire movers in Hershey?

The price depends on the size of your home, distance, stairs, packing needs and the date. A townhouse move within Derry Township is a very different job from a full house coming in from another state. For an accurate number, request 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 Hershey, PA a good place to live?

Many people think so. Hershey offers a small-town setting, major employers in health care and food manufacturing, short commutes (the average is about 16 minutes) and year-round attractions. The trade-off is price: Hershey homes cost more than the state and national medians, and inventory moves quickly.

Is Hershey its own town?

No. Hershey is an unincorporated community and census-designated place within Derry Township, Dauphin County. Derry Township provides municipal services, and the Derry Township School District runs the public schools.

How far is Hershey from Harrisburg?

Hershey is about 14 miles east of Harrisburg. U.S. 322 is the main route between them, and Harrisburg International Airport is about 12 miles from Hershey.

Can you help with packing and storage for a Hershey move?

Yes. We offer full packing and unpacking, storage if your closing dates do not line up, and long-distance moving if you are coming from out of state.

Move to Hershey With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family owned since 2015, led by owners Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman. 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 five locations.

Our Hershey movers handle local moves across Derry Township and the Harrisburg area, plus piano and safe moving, office moves and military moves. Pennsylvania PUC license A-8927313. Call our York team at 717-844-5125 or visit the Hershey moving page.

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Moving to Hershey, PA: Living in Hershey Guide