East Hempfield

Welcome to East Hempfield, where rural charm meets city convenience. This thriving Lancaster County township, home to roughly 26,000 residents, boasts top-rated schools and beautiful homes against a picturesque backdrop of rolling hills and farmland.

“There’s a lot of history here,” says Darrell Coyle, Realtor with Charles & Associates Realty. “Many homes were built in the 1700s and 1800s. There are still some old, covered bridges and old iron forges around. It adds a really unique element to the area.”

The wide, curving residential roads of East Hempfield are lined with mature trees. In these neighborhoods, you’ll find an array of architectural styles that include brick ranch homes, colonials, transitional-style homes and a few Tudors. These houses are perched on lots typically ranging between a quarter and half-acre, with well-tended lawns and elegant landscaping. In East Hempfield, you can get a three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch home for around $300,000, a four-bedroom, three-bathroom colonial for around $500,000 or a spacious four-bedroom, four-bathroom transitional-style home for roughly $700,000. You can also find a variety of townhomes in this area, with prices averaging $250,000. According to Coyle, demand has increased in this area in recent years, and houses sell quickly.

Students in East Hempfield attend Landisville Primary School, Landisville Middle School and Hempfield High School. These schools all belong to the Hempfield School District, which receives an overall grade of A- from Niche and rates highly in all categories, including academics, teachers, sports and college prep. Hempfield High, which also earns an A- from Niche, offers an array of Advanced Placement courses as well as dozens of clubs and sports for students to join. In 2023, Hempfield’s competitive cheerleading team won a first-place varsity national championship for the first time in school’s history.

For fresh air and exercise, head to Amos Herr Park, located on Nissley Road. This 56-acre, farm-themed park features several expansive play areas for different age groups, along with a zip line and covered pavilion. For more outdoor fun, enjoy a day on the green at Four Seasons Golf Club, located on Church Street. In the heat of summer, head next door to cool off in the Hempfield Rec Center’s large, sparkling swimming pool. Here, you can also participate in a wide variety of sports or fitness classes.

You can head to BJs or ALDI for a traditional grocery shop. However, you don’t want to miss Root’s Country Market and Auction on Tuesdays. This local market had humble beginnings as a poultry auction in 1925, and now the weekly event boasts over 200 vendors selling local produce, fresh meats, bakery items, handmade crafts and antiques. It’s a great place to feel the rooted community spirit that infuses daily life in East Hempfield. In this township, you’ll also find a few big box stores like Lowe’s. East Hempfield doesn’t have the commercial energy of nearby Lancaster, so when you’re looking for a shopping spree, hop in the car and head 7 miles east to find familiar retailers like Target and Walmart.

When hungry, you can’t miss the whimsical dining experience at Loxley’s, located in the Heritage Hotel on Centerville Road. Imagine dining in an elaborate tree house — that is what you’ll find at Loxley’s. This two-story rustic restaurant serves American fare, such as cheese curds made with local mozzarella and grilled prime pork chops.

Proximity to Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center makes it easy to commute for work or medical care. With Highway 283 running right through East Hempfield, you can get to the city of Lancaster or beyond in no time.

Written By

Sarah Grace Vedomske

Photography Contributed By

Chris Pirone

Video By

Victoria Sharpe