If you're moving to Lancaster County and a friend already told you "check out Hempfield," congratulations — you have a friend who knows the area. Hempfield is where a huge share of relocating families end up, and honestly, it's one of the easiest recommendations I make.

I'm Austin Curtiss, a Coldwell Banker realtor here in Lancaster County. Here's the straight story on Hempfield Township — East and West — including the parts the listing photos skip.

The Vibe

Hempfield is suburban Lancaster County at its most comfortable. Think established neighborhoods with big trees, newer developments with sidewalks, good parks, and a commercial core around Landisville that handles your daily life — grocery stores, restaurants, the Hempfield Shopping Center — without a trip into the city.

It's not a small town with a walkable Main Street. It's driving suburbia, done well. Amos Herr Park is the community hub — sports fields, playgrounds, a trail around the perimeter — and there are smaller green pockets like Getz Woods if you want a quiet walk. You still get farmland at the edges, especially out in West Hempfield toward the Susquehanna River, so it doesn't feel like endless sprawl.

One quick geography note people get wrong: "Hempfield" actually means two townships — East Hempfield and West Hempfield — plus the separate boroughs of Mountville and East Petersburg tucked inside the area. All of them feed the Hempfield School District, which is part of why the whole zone gets talked about as one place.

Home Prices

Here's where I keep it real with buyers: Hempfield used to be the "affordable suburb" of Lancaster County, and it still is compared to Manheim Township — but it's not cheap anymore. Homes typically sell in the mid-$300s to mid-$400s, with East Hempfield and Landisville running higher (median sale prices have been hovering around the low-to-mid $400s there). New construction in the area can push well above that.

You'll find a good mix: 1960s–90s split-levels and colonials in established neighborhoods, townhomes that work as a first purchase or a downsize, and newer communities still going up. West Hempfield tends to run a little less than East Hempfield, and the gap between the two has narrowed over the years.

The market moves fast when homes are priced right. If a good Hempfield listing hits on a Thursday, it's often under contract by the weekend. That's not a sales line — it's just how it is right now.

Schools

This is the headline reason people choose Hempfield: the Hempfield School District. It's one of the larger districts in the county, with a solid reputation across academics and athletics. Hempfield High School sits right in Landisville, and the district runs a full slate of elementary and intermediate schools across both townships.

If you're buying specifically for the schools, do what I tell every client: verify the district on the actual property, not just the zip code. School quality is one of the biggest drivers of home values here, and district boundaries don't always follow the logic you'd expect.

Commuting

Hempfield's location is genuinely one of its best features. You're roughly 10–15 minutes from downtown Lancaster, and the Route 30 / Route 283 interchange near Mountville gives you an easy shot east toward Harrisburg and Hershey — typically around 35–45 minutes depending on where you're headed.

Philadelphia is about 75 minutes by car, give or take traffic on any given day. Amtrak from the Lancaster station downtown gets you to 30th Street in about 70 minutes if you want the train option.

This is a driving county, and Hempfield is no exception. Most households have two cars and nobody thinks twice about it.

Who It Fits

Hempfield fits the classic Lancaster County buyer: families who want strong schools, a suburban neighborhood, and a manageable commute into the city or along Route 30. It also works well for first-time buyers stepping up from a townhome, and for relocating families who want the "safe landing spot" — a place that looks and feels like the suburb they left, just more affordable.

If you're commuting east toward Hershey or Harrisburg, the West Hempfield and Mountville side is especially convenient. If you want to be closest to the shopping and dining, Landisville in East Hempfield is your zone.

The Honest Cons

• Route 30 traffic. The same highway that makes Hempfield convenient also makes it congested — especially summer and fall weekends when tourist traffic stacks up. Locals learn the back roads; newcomers learn them the hard way.
• It's not walkable small-town living. If your dream is strolling to a coffee shop from your front door, that's Lititz or Lancaster city, not Hempfield. You'll drive everywhere.
• Prices climbed. The "value suburb" reputation is dated. You're paying for the school district now, and your property tax bill reflects it — always check the actual tax figure on a specific home before you make an offer.
• The name confusion. East Hempfield Township, West Hempfield Township, Mountville, East Petersburg — four different municipalities, one school district. Make sure you know which one you're actually buying in, because services and taxes differ.
• Commercial sprawl along the corridors. Parts of the Route 30 and Centerville Road corridors are pure commercial strip. Fine if you're passing through; less charming if your house backs up to it.

Let's Talk Hempfield

Hempfield is popular for boring, reliable reasons: schools, location, and neighborhoods that hold their value. If that sounds like what you're looking for, it's worth a serious look — just go in with your eyes open on price and taxes.

Thinking about Hempfield Township? Call or text me at (717) 406-7337 — I'll talk you through it honestly.

Explore Nearby Communities

Comparing your options? See how Hempfield Township stacks up against Mountville & East Petersburg and Columbia & Marietta — each has its own honest guide with prices, schools, commutes, and tradeoffs. If you’re relocating to the area, start with my Moving to Lancaster, PA guide.

Browse all Lancaster County towns →

Frequently Asked Questions

What do homes cost in Hempfield Township?

Homes typically sell in the mid-$300s to mid-$400s, with East Hempfield and Landisville running higher — median sale prices there have hovered around the low-to-mid $400s. New construction can push well above that.

What school district serves Hempfield?

The Hempfield School District, covering East and West Hempfield Townships plus the boroughs of Mountville and East Petersburg — one of the larger districts in the county with a solid reputation.

How far is Hempfield from Lancaster city?

Roughly 10–15 minutes. The Route 30 / Route 283 interchange near Mountville gives an easy shot east — Harrisburg and Hershey run about 35–45 minutes, Philadelphia about 75 minutes by car.

Is Hempfield Township walkable?

Not really — it's driving suburbia, done well. If your dream is strolling to a coffee shop from your front door, that's Lititz or Lancaster city. In Hempfield, you'll drive everywhere.

What's the difference between East and West Hempfield?

They're two separate townships (plus two boroughs tucked inside the area), all feeding one school district. West Hempfield tends to run a little less expensive than East Hempfield, though the gap has narrowed.