Lower Swatara Township is a suburban community of just under 10,000 people in the greater Harrisburg area. The community neighbors Swatara Township Dauphin, and these two sibling localities along the Susquehanna River have similar appeals. “I would say it’s the close driving distance to downtown Harrisburg, which has a lot of jobs,” says Ysmaine Domiciano, a broker with NextHome Dream Seekers Realty. “Also, it’s right where the Harrisburg International Airport is located. If someone is working at the airport, that’s another main reason.” The township is also home to Penn State Harrisburg and has direct access to highways, providing quick routes to employers like Penn State Health’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “I have personally had a lot of nurses and students looking to stay there,” Domiciano says.
Lower Swatara Township is a quint riverside neighborhood.
The average home value in Lower Swatara Township is $302,563.
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Options include townhouses, ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals
Many homes are along roads lined by spruce, pine and crepe myrtle trees, and lots are between half an acre and about 2 acres. Ranch-style houses are common on the southern half of the township, while the northern end has more Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals with multicar garages and driveways. Other housing options include townhouses and manufactured homes. Although less than a quarter of the community rents, Domiciano says it’s not unusual for some parents to buy homes for children attending Penn State Harrisburg. Housing prices can start at $230,000 for about a 1,500-square-foot house and go to $550,000 for one with over 4,000 square feet. Townhouses mainly sell from $110,000 to $350,000. Manufactured homes sell between $20,000 and $90,000.
Split-level homes offer space and affordability to homeowners in Lower Swatara Township.
Lower Swatara Township is mostly made up of duplexes and single family homes.
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Students may attend Middletown schools
Students here may start at Kunkel Elementary School, which receives a B-minus from Niche. They may then go to C-rated Middletown Area Middle and C-plus-rated Middletown Area High. The high school’s athletic program includes a volleyball team that won a conference title in 2025 and finished the regular season undefeated. Penn State Harrisburg’s programs include artificial intelligence, engineering and business.
John C. Kunkel Elementary School has a student population of around 375.
Local students attend Middletown Middle School.
Older students attend Middletown Area High School.
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Restaurants serve classic breakfasts and fine Italian dining
The neighboring communities offer several casual dining spots. “There are a lot of diners,” Domiciano says. “I feel like, because we’re close to the university, that’s kind of what students go to. Whether it’s a pizza shop, diner or a drive-through, there is a lot of that in there.” Kuppy’s Diner in Middletown is a nearly century-old institution. Many diners have visited its retro-style setting to have coffee and other favorites like eggs Benedict and scrapple. Alfred’s Victorian Restaurant has wines and fine Italian dining. The restaurant is in a historic Victorian brownstone with authentic period decor and furnishings. Hops & Barleys is a late-night destination for beer, bar fare and live music. Locals may go to Walmart and Sam’s Club in Swatara Township for retail and grocery shopping.
Sharp Shopper Grocery Outlet in Lower Swatara Township offers everyday value for grocery shoppers.
Tony's Pizzeria in Lower Swatara Township specializes in authentic Italian cuisine.
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Outdoor activities include kayaking, golf and field sports
Swatara Creek borders the township, providing a convenient kayaking, canoeing and tubing spot. Schiavoni Park, just north of the township, offers another boat launch and amenities like a disc golf course. Also located near the creek, Gelder Park provides more outdoor sports and casual recreation. The park’s attractions include a playground with several slides and a small climbing wall, soccer and baseball fields and a couple of sand volleyball courts. Walkers and joggers may get on a trail, part of which passes through the nearby woods. The Dauphin Highlands Golf Course offers more activities with its public 18-hole course.
Gelder Park’s basketball courts are popular with Lower Swatara Township residents.
Kids ride scooters along paved paths at Gelder Park in Lower Swatara Township.
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Neighboring Swatara Township hosts a Labor Day celebration
Swatara Township hosts annual events and holiday celebrations, including during Labor Day weekend in Bishop Park. During the day, attendees may stop by food trucks and let their children play in bounce houses and climb a rock wall. Live bands take to the stage at night as fireworks go off in the distance.
Commuters have access to rabbittransit and a few highways
Commuters who don’t drive have access to a few rabbittransit buses, while Amtrak’s Keystone Service stops in Middletown. Residents with a car can access U.S. Route 322 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or Interstate 76. U.S. Route 322 goes to Hershey, 10 miles east, while travelers can take the turnpike to Philadelphia, about 100 miles east. Lower Swatara Township is less than 10 miles west of PennState Health’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where services include medical, cancer and pediatric care. The Harrisburg International Airport is the region’s hub for commercial flights. The airport and highways also occasionally cause loud noise levels.
Lower Swatara Township residents enjoy a short commute to downtown Harrisburg.
The Harrisburg International Airport is located just 7 miles from Lower Swatara Township.
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Waterways pose a flooding risk
Lower Swatara Township is in a county with an extreme flooding risk, according to First Street. The areas near the Susquehanna River and Swatara Creek face some of the highest risks.
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
Danny Lambert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amalia Marshall,
an experienced agent in this area.
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