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About Elizabethtown, PA

About Elizabethtown, PA

A historic town transformed into a bustling town center

Originally founded in 1753, Elizabethtown’s roots go back far, but with local shops and parks throughout the Borough, residents have plenty to do in modernity. Nicknamed E-Town by locals, the Borough features shops and restaurants along High Street, and residents can just walk from their homes to this downtown area. A local organization, LIV E-Town, works on engaging the community through events and social gatherings. “All of the sudden, you feel new excitement downtown,” says associate broker and longtime resident Lethea Myers with Hathaway HomeService Homesale Realty. “That group seems to bring such energy.”

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High Street in Elizabethtown is the main thoroughfare and has many shops and restaurants.
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Second Friday's in Elizabethtown brings out the community to the downtown area for family fun.
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Streets lined with twin homes in every style

With Elizabethtown’s roots going so far back, homebuyers might find houses dating back to the early 1900s. Twin homes are the most popular housing type in E-Town, represented in every architectural style, from classic Colonial Revivals to American foursquares. Most twin homes feature a front porch overlooking the sidewalks. Because homes are placed tightly together on streets, many park along the road in front of homes, though back alleys might also feature detached garages behind houses. Further away from E-Town’s historic center, the spaces between homes grow for larger front yards and people can find single-family homes like brick Colonial Revivals and ranches. Homes across Elizabethtown list between $225,000 and $400,000, with the twin homes typically listing lower.

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Twin homes are the most popular housing type found in Elizabethtown.
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Tree lined streets and well maintained sidewalks are found in some parts of Elizabethtown.
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Plenty of spaces for kids to play at Elizabeth Borough Community Park

At the center of E-Town, Elizabethtown Borough Community Park sits at the center of the community, offering a space where people can stroll through the trees along the pathways. The park has multiple playgrounds for the kids, including the Fun Fort, which uses vibrant colors and has lots of unique equipment types to get kids climbing, swinging and playing. Athletes can play at the basketball courts or baseball fields. Poplar Street Park features three more baseball fields. Here, residents can find Gears Community Center, which offers lots of summer camps and leagues for the E-Town community and includes an indoor pool.

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The Fun Fort at Elizabethtown Borough Community Park is one of several playgrounds in the park.
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Athletes can play at the basketball courts located at Elizabethtown Borough Community Park.
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Elizabethtown's downtown full of cafes and gift shops

When looking for a cup of joe in E-Town, residents can stop in Folklore Coffee and Co. for coffee and sandwiches. The shop features big windows lined with lights, creating a cozy coffeehouse vibe perfect for people-watching. On Fridays, Lucky Ducks Bar and Grille creates an exciting happy hour atmosphere with live music. Their menu is eclectic, with their specialties including fish tacos, jumbo crab cakes and black bean chicken chili. Elizabethtown has more than just restaurants, with little markets like Charlamay’s Trinkets and Treasures, where people can find everything from candles and clothes to art and seasonal décor. Just off Market Street, residents can get their groceries at Giant or Weis Markets. Over by Elizabethtown College, Gene Wenger’s Meats and Fine Foods sells fresh meat, like their specialty, ham loaf. “You just haven’t tried a ham loaf until you’ve tried Wenger’s ham loaf,” Myers says. Campus Ridge Farm Market offers locally-grown seasonal produce and baked goods, including regional favorites like whoopie pies, shoofly pies and apple dumplings.

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Candles, clothes, art and more are found at Charlamays Trinkets and Treasures in Elizabethtown.
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Folklore Coffee and Co. in Elizabethtown is a popular place to work or meet up with friends.
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From Elizabethtown Fair to days out at Hersheypark

In August, the Elizabethtown Fair comes to the fairgrounds, offering contests of every kind, like baby races, photo contests, bale throwing competitions, corn hole tournaments and a talent show. On the second Friday of each month, LIV E-Town plans free activities like scavenger hunts, cookie decorating, live music, parades, tree lighting, caroling and more to draw folks downtown. Quickly becoming must-attend events, they always feature a theme—like Egg-Stravaganza, Shamrock Gras Soiree, or Fall in Love with Downtown. In the fall, people can head over to Masonic Village Farm Market to pick their own apples and pumpkins. Hersheypark is also just 11 miles from Elizabethtown for when residents want thriller rollercoaster rides.

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Every month is a different theme, like Wizard of Oz, at Second Friday's in Elizabethtown.
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Local stores participate in themed scavenger hunts on Second Friday's in Elizabethtown.
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Unique clubs offered through Elizabethtown Area High School

From kindergarten to second grade, students can attend East High Street Elementary School. Then, they advance to Bear Creek School for third through fifth grade. Both schools earn a B-plus from Niche. Elizabethtown Middle School receives a B-minus from Niche. With a B from Niche, students at Elizabethtown Area High School can join clubs according to their interests, including those for engineering, mountain biking, skiing, debate and the stock market. On the eastern side of town, Elizabethtown College serves students continuing their education through this private school.

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Elizabethtown Area Senior High School is no. 12 in Best Public High Schools in Lancaster Area.
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Elizabethtown Area Middle School serves almost 900 students in grades almost 6-8.
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Amtrak connectivity to Harrisburg from Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown started as an important stop along the railroad and today honors those roots with an Amtrak station that connects residents to Harrisburg, 21 miles away, and Harrisburg International Airport, 10 miles away. Pennsylvania State Routes 230 and 283 also connect people to the capital city and Lancaster, 20 miles in the other direction. Sidewalks make E-Town walkable, which helps when the town lacks a bus system. Penn State Health Milton South Hershey Medical Center is just 11 miles from Elizabethtown.

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Elizabethtown
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Amtrak station in Elizabethtown connects the town to other cities like Harrisburg.
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Tina Davis
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Tina Davis
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Neighborhood Map

Elizabethtown by the Numbers

12,096
Population
$344K
Average Housing Value
21
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Elizabethtown, PA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Rheems El School
#1 Rheems El School
A
Niche
East High Street Elementary School
#2 East High Street Elementary School
B+
Niche
Bear Creek School
#3 Bear Creek School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Conewago El School
#4 Conewago El School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle School

Elizabethtown Area Middle School
#1 Elizabethtown Area Middle School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools

Best Public High School

Elizabethtown Area Senior High School
#1 Elizabethtown Area Senior High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

Mount Calvary Christian School
#1 Mount Calvary Christian School
B-
Niche
KELLY SCHOOL
#2 KELLY SCHOOL

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

John Stauffer
(223) 216-2104
I'm an expert real estate agent with RE/MAX Evolved in Lancaster, PA and the nearby area, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells? Give me a call! I'm eager to help and would love to talk to you.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.