A quaint borough outside of the Pennsylvania State Capitol
In the West Shore of the Harrisburg area, Mechanicsburg is a growing borough whose residential streets surround a walkable downtown imbued with a rich history. Officially incorporated in 1828, the community is named after the group of wagon mechanics who set up shops along Simpson Ferry and Trindle Roads in the early 1800s. The borough continued to grow throughout the 19th century as it served as a water station for the Cumberland Valley Railroad, and groups like the Mechanicsburg Museum Association preserve historic landmarks around the borough today. “It’s historic, but modern-day Mechanicsburg is really a Main Street community full of shops, restaurants and antique shops,” says Ashley Gardner, co-owner of the Gardner Rogers Team at Re/Max Realty Associates. “There’s not a lot of areas in Central Pennsylvania where you can walk downtown, and this is one of those places where you have that walkability.”
While it’s no longer a center for mechanics or a burgeoning railroad hub, Mechanicsburg continues to attract residents with its central location outside of the Pennsylvania State Capitol. “It’s a centralized location to those dense areas like Harrisburg, York, and Carlisle,” says Brooks Watts, an associate broker with Re/Max First Advantage. “You have the convenience to get to those areas, but you don’t have the heavy city-like atmosphere.” With a population of just under 10,000 and a 6% increase in population between 2020 and 2023, it's one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Pennsylvania. This population growth coincides with proximity to major employers like Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, a naval supply depot that employs more than 4,000 civilian, military and industry partners. Cumberland County lists the federal government as its top employer, and Mechanicsburg offers easy commutes to the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex. “We also have supper easy access to surrounding major cities. It’s a direct commute to Pittsburgh, Philly, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.,” Gardner says.
Mechanicsburg’s Chamber of Commerce demonstrates their frugality with the railcar location.
Main Street in Mechanicsburg is where residents go for many shopping and dining options.
Mechanicsburg is not just a suburb of Harrisburg. It’s a real city with its own vibe.
Historic row homes can be found along main street in Mechanicsburg.
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Rising home prices and a competitive housing market
Mechanicsburg is densely populated by single-family homes and townhouses that embrace a variety of architectural styles. Traditional Colonial Revivals, two-story cottages and ranch-style homes sit side-by-side along the borough’s sidewalk-lined streets. The median price for single-family homes in Mechanicsburg is $385,000, about 8% lower than the national average of around $420,000. Due to limited inventory and a growing population, the housing market tends to be competitive. Most homes sell after less than a month on the market, and the average sales price is up 8% within the last year. There are also several townhouse developments in Mechanicsburg, including new construction communities on the outskirts of town. The median price for townhouses is $400,000, with newer builds fetching as high as $500,000.
Historic single homes line the streets of Mechanicsburg.
Drive around Mechanicsburg and notice the great diversity of architecture.
Ranch homes are common in Mechanicsburg.
New townhomes in Mechanicsburg come in many different styles other than highrise.
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Downtown Mechanicsburg, local arts scene and railroad museum
Mechanicsburg offers a quaint downtown with a mix of shops, restaurants and cultural institutions. Red brick storefronts line Main Street and Market Street, and the Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership supports the borough's businesses with annual events like Mugs & Music, the Cha Cha Chocolate Extravaganza and the Art & Wine Walk. Local eateries include Jojo’s Pizza & Pasta, which has been serving the community for more than 50 years and stands out as the first pizzeria in Mechanicsburg. Luna Italian Cuisine offers an upscale dining experience, while Hellenic Kouzina highlights traditional Greek flavors. The borough is also less than 10 miles from the Capital City Mall, which features nearly 80 different retailers and is the only indoor shopping mall in the western suburbs of Harrisburg.
In addition to shopping and dining, downtown hosts a growing arts scene. Metropolis Collective is a contemporary art gallery with live music on Saturday nights. The Mechanicsburg Museum Association preserves four historic landmarks in the borough, including the former Mechanicsburg Passenger Station. The station now functions as a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, and the museum association offers special events and lectures throughout the year. The Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg has been around for more than 70 seasons and performs original plays and musicals for the community.
Downtown Mechanicsburg is one of the most unique streets in PA.
Eckels in Mechanicsburg dishes out old-fashioned ice cream sodas, sundaes and banana splits.
The Metropolis Collective is at the center of Mechanicsburg’s growing art scene.
The Mechanicsburg Rail Museum is a fun destination for kids of all ages.
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Jubilee Day is the largest one-day street fair on the East Coast
The borough hosts community events throughout the year. Popular festivities include Jubilee Day, which is the largest and longest continuously running one-day street fair on the East Coast. “They block off the roads every year and have food, crafts and entertainment. It’s a good time,” Watts says. Held on the third Thursday of June, it brings up to 70,000 people to Mechanicsburg with hundreds of local vendors, family friendly activities and live entertainment.
Residents come together again in July for Mechanicsburg Community Day. Held at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park, it includes food trucks, live music and inflatable bounce houses. In honor of the mechanics who settled the borough in the early 19th century, Mechanicsburg celebrates New Year's Eve with a wrench drop in front of the Washington Fire Company.
Highly rated schools in the Mechanicsburg Area School District
The Mechanicsburg Area School District earns an overall grade of A-minus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. It consists of a kindergarten academy, four lower elementary schools, an upper elementary school, a middle school and a high school, all of which receive a B-plus or higher from Niche. Private school options include the Saint Joseph School, which serves prekindergarten through eighth grade alongside Saint Joseph Catholic Church and the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Cumberland Valley High School is a highly rated, public school located in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Eagle View Middle School is a highly rated, public school located in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School serves students from ninth through twelfth grade.
Mechanicsburg Middle in Upper Allen Township works to balance independence and stimulation.
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Community parks, Yellow Breeches Creek and nearby golf course
According to the Trust for Public Land, 84% of residents live within walking distance of a park. “There’s plenty of parks and outdoor activities that people can get involved in,” Watts says. The 46-acre Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park stands out as the borough’s largest green space and features various athletic facilities, a playground and an outdoor swimming pool. John H. Frederick Field at Memorial Park is home to the Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School’s football team, and the Mechanicsburg Borough Community Garden features individual plots. The Simpson Library offers recreational and educational programs for all ages, and nearby streams like Yellow Breeches Creek offer opportunities for tubing and paddle boating. Golfers can play a round at the public Armitage Golf Club, which features an 18-hole course less than 6 miles from the borough.
Bring the kids to Finkenbinder Park in Mechanicsburg.
Head over to Soldiers and Sailors Park in Mechanicsburg and enjoy several outdoor activities.
Watch the Wildcats play under the lights at the John H. Frederick Field in Mechanicsburg.
Silver Spring golfers go to Rich Valley Golf Course for it's 18 hole course.
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Active Transportation Plan, highway access and SRTA bus service
Mechanicsburg has an overall Walk Score of 84 out of 100. After receiving a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s WalkWorks program in 2022, the borough is working to develop an Active Transportation Plan to improve its pedestrian infrastructure, including the expansion of sidewalks and bike lanes. Residents have access to major thoroughfares like Interstates 81, 83 and 76, also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Harrisburg is less than 10 miles away, and these thoroughfares connect the borough to major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority, also known as rabbittransit, provides local bus service between Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg, with stops along the borough’s Main Street. Harrisburg International Airport is less than 20 miles away and offers 60 nonstop flights each day.
A four-season climate and below-average crime score
Residents should expect to see all four seasons, with snowy winters and humid summers. The Mechanicsburg Environmental Advisory Council leads the borough’s conservation efforts, including planting shade trees and developing a local climate action plan aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The city’s overall CAP Index crime score is 3 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
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