Moving to New Holland, PA: 2026 Living Guide

New Holland is a working farm town in eastern Lancaster County. It was settled in 1728, it still holds one of the biggest livestock auctions on the East Coast every week, and it gave its name to New Holland Agriculture, the farm equipment maker that started here as a one-man repair shop in 1895. Route 23 runs straight through the middle of town as Main Street, lined with churches, shops and older homes, with Amish farmland starting right at the borough line.

New Holland suits families who want Eastern Lancaster County (ELANCO) schools, people who work at CNH or the manufacturers and farms around Leola, Ephrata and Blue Ball, and retirees drawn to the area’s 55+ community and small-town pace. It is also a practical choice for commuters who want a smaller place about 14 miles from Lancaster city. Prices are higher than many buyers expect, so it pays to know the numbers before you shop.

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

Where Is New Holland, PA?

New Holland is a borough in eastern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It sits completely inside Earl Township, which surrounds it on all sides. Pennsylvania Route 23 passes through the borough as Main Street, running 14 miles west to Lancaster, the county seat, and 11 miles east to Morgantown. The borough covers about 1.9 square miles and sits on a low ridge between Groff Creek and Mill Creek, both of which drain to the Conestoga River.

Approximate driving distances and times from New Holland, based on OpenStreetMap routing (real times vary with traffic and farm vehicles):

Ephrata: about 8 miles, around 15 minutes
Downtown Lancaster (Penn Square): about 14 miles, roughly 30 minutes
Lancaster Airport: about 16 miles
Reading: about 24 miles, roughly 40 minutes
York: about 42 miles, roughly an hour
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT): about 48 miles, roughly an hour
Harrisburg: about 54 miles
Philadelphia: about 60 miles, roughly 1.5 hours
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): about 67 miles
Baltimore: about 82 miles

Lancaster Airport is the closest airfield. For most commercial flights, New Holland residents choose between Harrisburg International and Philadelphia International.

New Holland Population & Demographics

New Holland counted 5,762 residents at the 2020 Census, up from 5,378 in 2010. The Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 estimate is 5,754, so the population has held steady in recent years. The median age is 42, about one in four residents is under 18, and a little under one in five is 65 or older. Roughly two-thirds of homes are owner-occupied.

Measure	New Holland borough	Lancaster County	Data year
Population (2020 Census)	5,762	—	2020
Population estimate	5,754	563,159	July 1, 2025
Median age	42.0	39.4	ACS 2020–2024
Persons under 18	24.5%	—	ACS 2020–2024
Persons 65 and over	18.7%	—	ACS 2020–2024
Median household income	$63,182	$86,959	ACS 2020–2024 (2024 dollars)
Per capita income	$34,164	$43,128	ACS 2020–2024 (2024 dollars)
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	26.9%	32.4%	ACS 2020–2024
Owner-occupied housing rate	68.6%	69.8%	ACS 2020–2024
Poverty rate	10.7%	8.2%	ACS 2020–2024
Mean travel time to work	22.7 minutes	—	ACS 2020–2024

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census (via Wikipedia), Vintage 2025 population estimates, and Census Reporter (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Is New Holland Safe?

We did not find a current borough-level crime report we could cite, so we are not quoting a crime rate. Here is what we can tell you about coverage. According to the borough, police services for New Holland are now provided by the West Earl Township Police Department. The department says the change expanded it to a 26-officer agency with 24-hour coverage, with five officers on duty at all times and two of them assigned to Earl Township and New Holland Borough around the clock. It also has two full-time detectives.

For current incident information, the department points residents to its Facebook page and its CrimeWatch page. Before you buy or sign a lease, drive the street on a weeknight and a weekend and talk to a neighbor or two.

Cost of Living in New Holland

New Holland is a place where the two main housing measures tell different stories, so it helps to read them together.

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index (smoothed and seasonally adjusted) puts the typical New Holland home value at about $418,500 as of August 31, 2026, up 4.8% from a year earlier. That is above Zillow’s figure for Lancaster County as a whole (about $387,900) and well above the Pennsylvania figure (about $290,400).

The Census Bureau’s measure is much lower. The median value of owner-occupied homes in New Holland was $238,100 for 2020–2024, compared with $301,100 for Lancaster County, $254,500 for Pennsylvania and $332,700 for the United States. The Census number is based on what owners themselves reported over a five-year window, while Zillow’s index tracks current market values, which rose 4.8% in New Holland over the last year alone. If you are buying now, the Zillow figure is closer to what you will see on listings.

Rent

Median gross rent in New Holland was $1,163 a month for 2020–2024, below Lancaster County ($1,357), Pennsylvania ($1,209) and the United States ($1,413). Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for New Holland, which reflects current asking rents, was about $1,426 a month as of August 31, 2026. Current asking rents run well above the older Census median, so budget from recent listings rather than the five-year figure.

Best Neighborhoods in New Holland

New Holland is only about two square miles, so “neighborhoods” here are really sections of town. Here is how they differ.

Main Street and the Historic Core

Route 23 follows the high ridge the town was laid out on in 1750, with houses lining both sides of the main street. Today this stretch holds the borough office at 436 East Main Street, churches, small shops, cafés and many older homes, some split into apartments. It suits people who want to walk to coffee, the library and the post office, and renters looking for a first place in town. Expect steady truck and farm traffic on Route 23 and plan for on-street parking at some older homes.

East Side Near the Community Park

The streets around New Holland Community Memorial Park, in the 400 block of East Jackson Street, are a natural fit for families. You are close to the town pool, a pitch-and-putt golf course, pickleball and tennis courts and summer concerts in the park. Homes here are mostly single-family houses with yards on quieter side streets, and the ELANCO campus with Garden Spot Middle and High School is also in New Holland. It is a good match for households with kids who want to bike to the park.

Earl Township and Garden Spot Village

Because the borough is an enclave of Earl Township, it only takes a few blocks to reach larger lots, newer subdivisions and open farmland. Buyers who want a bigger yard or a garage often look just outside the borough line and keep the ELANCO schools. Retirees also look at Garden Spot Village, a 55+ community with a New Holland address. Always check whether a property is in the borough or the township, because trash service, taxes and permits differ.

Weather & Climate

New Holland has four full seasons. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Lancaster, about 14 miles west and 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 Lancaster area averages about 44 inches of precipitation and 21.4 inches of snow a year, with February the snowiest month at about 7.4 inches, followed by January at about 6.1 inches.

For a move, late April through early June and September through October usually bring the most comfortable weather. July and August are hot and humid, which is hard on crews and on anything sensitive to heat. Early October is beautiful but also Farmers Fair week in town, so plan around it if you are moving near Main Street.

Things to Do in New Holland

New Holland Farmers Fair

The town has celebrated its farm roots at the New Holland Farmers Fair since 1927. The borough describes it as a slice of hometown Americana, with funnel cakes, barbecue, horseshoes and exhibits of crafts, fruits, vegetables, wine, photos, needlework and quilting. The fair runs in early fall; the borough calendar lists the 2026 fair for September 30 through October 3.

New Holland Community Memorial Park

The borough’s main park in the 400 block of East Jackson Street has a community pool, pickleball and tennis courts and a pitch-and-putt golf course that the borough says is open year round, with low daily fees and season memberships. In summer, the park hosts an Entertainment in the Park series organized with the Summer Arts Association. It is the easiest way to meet neighbors in your first few weeks.

The New Holland Band and Band Museum

The New Holland Band was founded in 1829, has performed continuously since 1856 and served in the Civil War as the 203rd Regimental Band of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, according to the borough. The band plays a concert series from May to December. Its museum, on the second floor of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, holds more than 150 instruments along with uniforms and memorabilia from eastern Pennsylvania’s community bands and artifacts connected to John Philip Sousa.

New Holland Sales Stables

Just south of Route 23, the New Holland Sales Stables has sold livestock since the early 1900s. The borough calls it one of the largest livestock auctions east of the Mississippi, selling about 10,000 head a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and occasional Fridays, from dairy and beef cattle to goats, hogs and Percheron and Belgian draft horses. Visit Lancaster notes it also runs hay and horse auctions. Even if you are not buying, it is a remarkable look at the local farm economy.

ELANCO Library

The Eastern Lancaster County Library, formerly the New Holland Library, is on Chestnut Drive and is part of the Library System of Lancaster County. Getting a library card is a smart first-week errand for families, and it puts you in the same building as the band museum.

Where to Eat in New Holland

Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet

Yoder’s sits inside Yoder’s Country Market, a family-run grocery at 14 South Tower Road. The restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus plus a buffet, and it also runs a banquet facility for larger groups. Visit Lancaster lists it opening at 6 a.m., which makes it an easy breakfast stop on moving day.

Lickity Split

Lickity Split, at 209 East Main Street, calls itself the place “where nostalgia meets good eats.” The menu runs from fresh roasted turkey melts to house-made stuffed pretzels and a big ice cream selection, and Monday is burger night. It also hosts ticketed events such as murder mystery dinners and paint nights, and it runs New Holland’s first escape room.

New Holland Coffee Company

New Holland Coffee Company has been roasting coffee in Lancaster County since 2005, according to Visit Lancaster, with cafés in New Holland, Lancaster and Lititz, plus catering and a coffee truck. It is a good place to work remotely for an afternoon while you wait for the internet to be installed at the new house.

Jobs & Economy

New Holland’s economy grew out of agriculture and still leans on it. Abe Zimmerman opened a small machine repair shop here in 1895, and the business became New Holland Machine Company and later part of CNH. On the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s list of Lancaster County’s top 50 employers for the first quarter of 2026, CNH Industrial America ranks 28th. The New Holland Secondary rail line ends in the borough and serves businesses along the way, including a Dart Container factory and L&S Sweeteners in Leola, according to Wikipedia. Dart Container ranks 10th on the county list.

County-wide, the largest employers are led by Lancaster General Hospital, Mutual Assistance Group, Onewell LLC, Lancaster County government and Giant Food Stores. Health care, schools, food processing and manufacturing account for many local jobs. The average commute for New Holland residents is 22.7 minutes, so most people work within the eastern half of the county or in Lancaster city.

Schools in New Holland

New Holland is served by the Eastern Lancaster County School District, known locally as ELANCO. The district covers Brecknock, Caernarvon, Earl and East Earl townships and the boroughs of New Holland and Terre Hill, and its headquarters are in New Holland. The same campus holds Garden Spot Middle School and Garden Spot High School. Garden Spot High, founded in 1954, is the district’s only senior high school, and its theater program, Garden Spot Performing Arts, dates to 1967. Elementary students attend New Holland, Blue Ball or Brecknock Elementary, depending on address.

For college, Franklin & Marshall College and Millersville University are both in the Lancaster area. Always confirm school assignments for a specific address with the district before you buy.

New Holland Quick Facts

County	Lancaster County
ZIP code	17557
Area codes	717 and 223 (overlay; 10-digit dialing)
Area	About 1.9 square miles
Settled	1728
Surrounding municipality	Earl Township
Main road	PA Route 23 (Main Street)
Borough office	436 East Main Street
Nearest airports	Lancaster Airport (about 16 miles); Harrisburg International (about 48 miles); Philadelphia International (about 67 miles)
Public school district	Eastern Lancaster County School District (ELANCO)
Police	West Earl Township Police Department (contracted)

Moving to New Holland: Tips From Our Crew

Learn the trash rules before moving day. The borough’s hauler collects trash, recycling and yard waste on Thursday, and nothing can go to the curb before the evening before. Recycling is mandatory. Oversized items like furniture and carpet only go out on designated large-item days with a paid extra-service tag, and appliances are collected just twice a year. If you are clearing out a house, our junk removal service is usually faster.
Share the road on Route 23. New Holland is in the middle of Amish farm country, so expect horse-drawn buggies, tractors and livestock trailers on Main Street and the back roads. We build that into our timing, and you should too if you are driving your own car behind the truck.
Watch auction and fair days. Sales days at the livestock auction (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) bring extra trucks and trailers to the south side of town, and Farmers Fair week in early October brings big crowds downtown. Pick a different day if you can.
Measure for older Main Street homes. Many houses along Route 23 are old, with narrow staircases and small landings, and some have been split into apartments. Measure large sofas, box springs and dressers ahead of time so we can plan disassembly.
Moving into a 55+ community? Retirement communities often require a certificate of insurance and set move-in windows. Ask the community for its rules early. We provide certificates of insurance free.
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.
Keep a winter backup date. Lancaster averages about 21 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 New Holland

How much does it cost to hire movers in New Holland?

The price depends on how much you are moving, the distance, stairs, packing and your date. A one-bedroom apartment on Main Street is a very different job from a four-bedroom farmhouse in Earl Township or a move 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.

How far is New Holland from Lancaster?

About 14 miles. Route 23 runs straight from New Holland’s Main Street to Lancaster, and most drives to Penn Square take around half an hour depending on traffic and farm vehicles. Ephrata is about 8 miles away, and Reading is about 24 miles to the northeast.

What school district serves New Holland?

The Eastern Lancaster County School District (ELANCO). Its headquarters, Garden Spot Middle School and Garden Spot High School are in New Holland, and New Holland Elementary serves many borough students. The district also covers Brecknock, Caernarvon, Earl and East Earl townships and Terre Hill. Confirm the school for any specific address before you buy.

Is New Holland in Amish country?

Yes. Visit Lancaster describes New Holland as sitting in the heart of eastern Lancaster County’s Amish farm country. You will see buggies on the roads, farm stands and markets around town, and the livestock auction is a working part of the local farm economy. The borough itself has typical small-town streets, shops and services.

When is the best time to move to New Holland?

Late spring and early fall usually offer the most comfortable weather. Mid-month weekdays are easiest to book, and summer is the busiest season for families. Try to avoid Farmers Fair week in early October if you are moving near Main Street, and keep a backup date for any winter move.

Move to New Holland 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 Main Street apartments to farmhouses in Earl Township, our New Holland movers handle local moves, long-distance moves, packing and unpacking, storage and piano and safe moving. Call our York PA & Maryland team at 717-844-5125 or visit the New Holland moving page.

Get My Price

Moving to New Holland, PA: Living in New Holland Guide