Moving to Littlestown, PA: Living in Littlestown Guide

Littlestown is a small borough in southeastern Adams County, just north of the Maryland line and a short drive from Gettysburg, Hanover and Westminster. It was laid out in 1760, and its small-town core is surrounded by farmland. Home prices are more affordable than in many nearby towns, and you are within about an hour and a quarter of both Baltimore and Harrisburg.

Littlestown suits people who want small-town living with easy access to three larger towns. It works for families who want a smaller school district, commuters heading south into Maryland or north toward Hanover and York, and retirees who like the quiet. If you want big-city nightlife or a lot of restaurant choices in town, plan on driving to Gettysburg or Hanover for those.

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

Where Is Littlestown?

Littlestown covers 1.6 square miles in Adams County, Pennsylvania. It was originally laid out by Peter Klein in 1760 and first named Petersburg. The name changed in 1795 to Littlestown, an English translation of the German name Kleine Stedtle, and the borough was incorporated in 1864. Rural townships, including Germany Township and Union Township, lie just outside the borough, and the Maryland state line is just to the south.

The town has a long history for its size. Notable people with Littlestown ties include Congressman Joseph A. Goulden, James W. C. Pennington, who escaped slavery, and the fraktur artist George Peter Deisert.

Approximate driving distances from the center of Littlestown, based on OSRM route calculations without traffic:

Hanover: about 7.2 miles, roughly 14 minutes
Gettysburg: about 11 miles, roughly 19 minutes
Westminster, MD: about 13.6 miles, roughly 25 minutes
York: about 26 miles, roughly 54 minutes
Harrisburg: about 46 miles, roughly 1 hour 7 minutes
Baltimore: about 49 miles, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes
BWI Airport: about 50 miles, roughly 1 hour 17 minutes
Washington, DC: about 76 miles, roughly 1 hour 56 minutes

BWI is the closest major airport, and many residents use it for flights. Harrisburg International is another option to the north. Because Littlestown sits between three larger towns, where you work often decides how your daily drive feels: Hanover and Gettysburg are both under 20 minutes, while trips toward Baltimore or Washington take longer and depend on traffic.

Littlestown Population & Demographics

Littlestown had 4,782 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates 4,895 as of July 2025. The median age is 38.9, younger than Adams County as a whole (43.7). The townships around the borough are older and more affluent, with larger homes on more land.

Measure (ACS 2020–2024 unless noted)	Littlestown	Germany Township	Adams County	Pennsylvania
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	4,895	2,913	107,594	13,059,432
Median age	38.9	46.6	43.7	40.9
Median household income	$70,901	$102,656	$84,092	$77,971
Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+)	16.2%	22.1%	25.8%	35.2%
Owner-occupied homes	72.3%	93.8%	78.9%	69.3%
Median gross rent	$964	$1,240	$1,115	$1,209
Poverty rate	12.7%	2.8%	8.2%	11.7%

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

The numbers show two different kinds of places side by side. The borough is younger, has more renters and has lower household incomes, which fits its older, smaller homes and apartments. The surrounding townships are older, almost entirely owner-occupied and earn more, with farms and larger lots. Many buyers weigh both: a walkable in-town home now, or more land a few minutes out.

Is Littlestown Safe?

We did not find a current, reliable crime-rate source specific to Littlestown, so we are not publishing one. The best way to check a specific neighborhood is to contact the borough’s police department directly or ask your real estate agent for recent local information. A drive through at night and on a weekend also tells you a lot about a street.

Cost of Living in Littlestown

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index for Littlestown was about $342,300 in August 2026, up about 3.9% from a year earlier. The Adams County index was about $334,200, and the statewide index was about $290,400. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 survey puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in the borough at $254,700; that figure is based on owner estimates over five years and trails current prices.

In town you will find older brick and frame homes, twins and townhomes on a tight street grid, along with newer developments at the edges. Outside the borough, Germany and Union townships have more single-family homes on larger lots, with ACS median values of $338,600 and $334,700.

Rent

Rent is one of Littlestown’s advantages. The ACS median gross rent in the borough was $964 a month (2020–2024), below both the Adams County median of $1,115 and the Pennsylvania median of $1,209. Zillow does not publish a rent index for the 17340 ZIP code, and the rental supply is small, so start looking early and expect current asking rents to be higher than the five-year survey average.

Best Neighborhoods in Littlestown

The Borough Core

The older part of town, along streets like King and Queen, is where homes sit closest together, with short walks to local shops, churches and the borough’s parks. This area suits first-time buyers, renters and anyone who likes being able to walk to the post office or grab a pizza on foot. Parking is mostly on the street.

Germany Township

Germany Township sits just outside the borough. It has about 2,900 residents, a median household income of about $102,700, and a homeownership rate near 94%. Expect farms, newer homes on larger lots and a quieter pace, with the Littlestown schools and shopping a few minutes away. It suits families and retirees who want space.

Union Township

Union Township, another nearby Adams County township, has about 3,200 residents and a median age of 49.9. It is mostly rural and residential, with a median home value of $334,700 and a homeownership rate of about 90%. It is a good fit for buyers who commute toward Hanover or York and want a country setting.

Weather & Climate

Littlestown has four distinct seasons. The nearest long-term NOAA station, Hanover 4 SW, reports these 1991–2020 normals:

January: average high 39.3°F, average low 21.2°F
July: average high 85.3°F, average low 63.8°F
Precipitation: about 44.1 inches a year
Snowfall: about 28.2 inches a season

That snowfall total is a few inches more than York’s, so winter moves need a backup plan. Rain matters too: at the Hanover station, September is the wettest month on average, with about 4.8 inches, which is worth knowing if you are planning an early-fall move with a lot of outdoor carrying. The most comfortable months to move are late April through early June and mid-September through October. Summer works too, but start early to beat the afternoon heat and humidity.

Things to Do in Littlestown

Littlestown Community Park and Crouse Park

The borough has two parks of its own: Littlestown Community Park and Crouse Park. They are the everyday places for a walk, a game of catch or letting the kids burn off energy after a day of unpacking, and a good way to start meeting neighbors.

Gettysburg National Military Park

About 11 miles away, the battlefield is one of the most important historic sites in the country. The National Park Service describes the Battle of Gettysburg as a turning point in the Civil War and the war’s bloodiest battle, and it inspired Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Many locals use the park for walks and bike rides, and it is the first place most visiting relatives want to see.

Codorus State Park

Near Hanover, Codorus State Park covers 3,500 acres in the hills of southern York County. Its 1,275-acre Lake Marburg has 26 miles of shoreline and is popular for boating and fishing. The park also has a swimming pool, disc golf, picnic areas and camping. From Hanover, follow PA 216 to reach it, and plan on an easy half-day trip with the kids or the boat.

Hanover and Westminster

With Hanover about 14 minutes away and Westminster, Maryland, about 25 minutes away, Littlestown residents have easy access to bigger grocery stores, shopping and dining without living in a busier town. For many new residents, part of settling in is simply learning which errands are faster in which direction.

Where to Eat in Littlestown

La Bella Italia Restaurant

At 445 North Queen Street, La Bella Italia serves American-Italian food, including New York-style pizza, subs, pasta and wings. It is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays, which makes it an easy dinner on moving night when the kitchen is still in boxes.

Dobbin House Tavern (Gettysburg)

For a special night out, head about 20 minutes to Gettysburg. The Dobbin House at 89 Steinwehr Avenue was built in 1776 by Reverend Alexander Dobbin and is open daily. The Springhouse Tavern serves lunch and dinner on a first-come basis, and the Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms take dinner reservations, which the restaurant suggests making about a week in advance. It is also one of Adams County’s top 50 employers.

Jobs & Economy

Littlestown residents commute in several directions: to Hanover and York, to Gettysburg, and south into Maryland. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Adams County’s largest employers in the first quarter of 2026 were Gettysburg College, The Gettysburg Hospital, the federal government, Packaging Corporation of America, Utz Quality Foods, Farm Fresh Turkey Products, Knouse Foods, WellSpan Medical Group, G & S Foods and Adams County government. The Littlestown Area School District ranks 22nd on the county’s list.

Food production is a big part of the local economy. Fruit processors such as Knouse Foods, Mott’s and Rice Fruit Company make Adams County’s top 50, and on the York County side, Utz Quality Foods ranks 12th and Snyder’s-Lance ranks 29th.

Schools in Littlestown

Littlestown is served by the Littlestown Area School District, home of the Thunderbolts. The district has three schools:

Alloway Creek Elementary School (K–5)
Maple Avenue Middle School (6–8)
Littlestown Senior High School (9–12)

Having one elementary, one middle and one high school keeps things simple: every student in the district follows the same path, and classmates tend to stay together from kindergarten through graduation. If you are moving mid-year, call the district office ahead of time to ask what enrollment paperwork they need, such as proof of residency and records from your old school. For higher education, Gettysburg College is about 20 minutes away, and colleges in York, Westminster and the Baltimore area are within commuting distance.

Littlestown Quick Facts

County	Adams County, Pennsylvania
Type of government	Borough
Laid out / incorporated	1760 / 1864
Land area	1.6 square miles
Population	4,782 (2020 Census); 4,895 (2025 estimate)
ZIP code	17340
Area codes	717 and 223 (10-digit dialing required)
School district	Littlestown Area School District
Nearby towns	Hanover (7 mi), Gettysburg (11 mi), Westminster, MD (14 mi)
Nearest major airport	BWI, about 50 miles
Parks	Littlestown Community Park, Crouse Park

Moving to Littlestown: Tips From Our Crew

Plan for street parking in town. Many homes in the borough core have no driveway and sit close to the street. Tell us about your block ahead of time so we can find a legal spot for the truck that does not block traffic or neighbors.
Moving from Maryland? Plan the paperwork. Littlestown is close enough to the state line that plenty of moves here start in Maryland. Pennsylvania requires new residents to switch their driver’s license and vehicle registration, so put PennDOT on your to-do list for the weeks after the move.
Watch battlefield traffic on weekends. Gettysburg can get busy with visitors on summer and fall weekends. If your move takes you through or near Gettysburg, a weekday is usually faster.
Budget for snow. Hanover’s normals show about 28 inches of snow a year, more than many nearby areas. Have a backup date for January and February moves, and clear walkways before the crew arrives.
Check farm-property access. Homes in Germany and Union townships often have long lanes, gravel drives and outbuildings. Let us know about turnarounds and low branches so we can send the right truck.
Ask about well and septic in the townships. Many rural homes outside a borough rely on private wells and septic systems instead of public water and sewer. Ask your agent early, schedule any inspections before closing, and keep the septic area clear of the moving truck’s path.
Need time between closings? Our storage service can hold your belongings if your sale and purchase dates do not line up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Littlestown

How much does it cost to hire movers in Littlestown?

The price depends on the size of your home, the distance, packing needs and access at both ends, like stairs, long driveways or tight streets. For an accurate number, get a free quote. Call 717-844-5125 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm, or request your price online.

How far is Littlestown from Gettysburg and Hanover?

Gettysburg is about 11 miles away, roughly 19 minutes by car. Hanover is about 7 miles away, roughly 14 minutes. Westminster, Maryland, is about 14 miles south, roughly 25 minutes. That central spot is one of the main reasons people choose Littlestown: you can reach three different towns for work, shopping and appointments without living in any of them.

Is Littlestown affordable?

Compared with many nearby areas, yes, especially for renters. The borough’s ACS median gross rent was $964, below the county and state medians. Zillow’s home value index for Littlestown was about $342,300 in August 2026, close to the Adams County figure of about $334,200. Homes in the older part of the borough are usually the most affordable way in, while newer homes on larger lots in the surrounding townships cost more.

What school district serves Littlestown?

The Littlestown Area School District, with Alloway Creek Elementary (K–5), Maple Avenue Middle School (6–8) and Littlestown Senior High School (9–12). Always confirm school boundaries with the district before you buy.

Can you move us from Maryland to Littlestown?

Yes. Our York PA & Maryland office handles moves on both sides of the state line. For long-distance moves, you get a binding estimate that will not change after you book, a dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew door to door and a guaranteed delivery date.

Move to Littlestown With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and owners Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman are involved in every part of the business. 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, and if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day. Claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days, and we have 850+ Google reviews across five locations.

Our Littlestown movers work out of our York office and handle local moves, packing, storage and military moves, with 5% off for military families and no rescheduling fees. Call 717-844-5125 or visit our Littlestown moving page.

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