Ashland: Economy & Jobs
Households in Ashland earn a median $52,708 (1.3× below Schuylkill County median $68,313; 1.5× below Pennsylvania median $77,971), with homes at a median value of $58,800. The surrounding county supports 24,395 jobs (avg $50,569).
- $64,596 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Pennsylvania $73,856).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $52,708 — below the Pennsylvania median ($61,953). Poverty rate 17.4% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 1.1× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 17.4% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | very affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $30,070 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,942,392 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $64,596 (vs Pennsylvania $73,856) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $59,577 |
| Median Household Income | $52,708 (vs Pennsylvania $61,953) |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | blue_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $52,708 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.5% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 3% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 2.7% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 24,395 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $1,233,653,186 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $50,569 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 5,948,490 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% (vs Pennsylvania 4.0%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 17 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 11,230 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 660.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Crop Totals, Poultry Totals, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,420 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 22,070 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 1,043,987 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 10 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 23 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 19 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Home Centers | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 60 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 57 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 8 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 13 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (1)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Turkey Hill Minit Markets 950117 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 7 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | UNITED STATES JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $441,943,501 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,827.81 (vs Pennsylvania $8,556) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 64,727 people (vs Pennsylvania 12,317) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 60.7% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 7.5% |
| Pct Walked | 2.7% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 50.4 years (vs Pennsylvania 36.8y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 37.3% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12