Springettsbury Township offers lower prices and quality schools
Springettsbury Township’s name stems from one of its first residents, Springett Penn II, grandson of Pennsylvania’s founder William Penn. As the colony expanded westward, a tract of land was laid out for Springett beside the Susquehanna River, in part to exclude Maryland settlers from venturing this far north. Ironically enough, Springettsbury Township has evolved into a suburb popular with Marylanders and out-of-state commuters looking for lower prices. “Just going across the line into Maryland, homes are easily $100,000 more. If a family is working in Maryland, it makes sense to live in a place like Springettsbury Township where you can save,” says Adam McCallister, lifelong resident of York County and Realtor with eXp Realty.
The area's lower home prices are coupled with accessible amenities. “Springettsbury Township has a mix of entry- to mid-level homes which are close to the Galleria, York’s only remaining enclosed mall,” says Sam Stein, broker of record at Inch & Co. Real Estate and lifelong York County resident. “It’s also got great access to U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 83, so it’s popular with commuters who are going to Maryland or Lancaster to take the train to Philadelphia.” McCallister concurs, noting the community's reputation has gone beyond being an affordable bedroom suburb. “The cost of living is also lower, but head-to-head, our schools come up higher in ranking. So people come initially for the lower cost of living but really end up appreciating the community.”
An eclectic mix of new and historic homes against a pastoral backdrop
Springettsbury Township offers ranch-style and raised ranch-style homes from the 1960s through the ‘80s, as well as Cape Cods and National-style residences from the ‘50s. Some of the area's oldest builds date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, following American Foursquare and Colonial Revival designs. The community also has many New Traditional homes from the 2000s through the 2020s, some with American Craftsman influences. “Every 10 years or so, there’s a new development that will pop up. But there’s not a lot of brand-new construction,” McCallister says. “What hasn’t been developed is still being used for farming and production.” This lends itself to a pastoral-feeling setting, especially on the northeast side of the community, where parcels can span several acres.
Prices start around $150,000 and reach up to $450,000. Contemporary builds with more than 5,000 square feet of interior space can fall between $600,000 and $1.6 million. A few townhouse communities are scattered around the area, two and three stories tall. Their prices run from around $170,000 to approximately $260,000. This makes home prices roughly on par with the York metro area’s average. However, residents of Springettsbury Township can expect to pay lower taxes. “We have three different kinds of taxes: county, municipal and school,” says Robert Argento, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, who has been selling homes for 35 years. “The Central School District is one of the lowest tax authorities in York County because there’s a lot of businesses in that part of town.”
Slots and shops at the York Galleria
Shopping options surround Springettsbury Township. “One of our local jokes is since there’s six Walmarts within the county, when you say you’re going to Walmart, you're asked, ‘Which one?’” McCallister says. The nearest Walmart sits to the south off East Market Street, accompanied by a Giant supermarket, Aldi, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Sam’s Club and numerous other stores. Restaurants also line East Market Street, ranging from Fiesta Mexico to Marino’s Pizza & Pasta House. The York Galleria mall is just north of U.S. Route 30, anchored by retailers such as Boscov’s and Marshalls. Additionally, the mall features two stories of boutiques and restaurants, plus Hollywood Casino York. Situated in the southwest of the community, Round the Clock Diner didn’t get its name for nothing. This restaurant serves American diner fare and hearty breakfasts 24/7.
Close to interstates, Maryland and big employers like Harley-Davidson
Springettsbury Township residents are all within a 5-mile drive to ramps for both of York’s major highways, Interstate 83 and U.S. Route 30. Interstate 83 runs 24 miles north to Harrisburg and about the same distance south to the Maryland state line, while U.S. Route 30 heads eastward to Lancaster and Philadelphia. Several major employers operate within the area. “Milwaukee is where Harley-Davidson is headquartered, but York is where all the bikes are made,” McCallister says. Post Cereal’s warehouse is just to the east of the township. Various industrial parks sit north of Interstate 83. York County Prison is located in the area, but according to McCallister, the facility’s presence isn't much of a concern for residents.
Sports and app development at Central York High
Hayshire Elementary serves kindergarten through third-grade students, while North Hills Elementary accommodates kids in grades four through six. Both schools earn B-minus ratings from Niche. Central York Middle gets a B, while Central York High scores an A-minus. Central York High’s complex was opened in 2005 and rivals that of a junior college, Stein says: “The boys' basketball team was 6A state champions in 2023, which is a big thing for a York County school to do against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh schools.” Central York High also offers diverse specialized courses, from Honors iOS App Development to Regional & International Cooking.
Hikes and holidays at Rocky Ridge Park
John Rudy County Park features numerous pavilions, baseball diamonds and an off-leash dog park. This area is also the starting point of the York County Heritage Rail Trail, a 21-mile pathway that extends all the way down to the Maryland state line. “It’s good for anybody. If you’re a family with small kids who need a stroller or whose legs aren’t up to walking much, the trail is completely flat. It’s also great for older residents who still want to get some exercise,” McCallister says. “A lot of the towns along the trail have started opening up ice cream shops and boutiques to stop along the way while you’re walking or biking.”
Half of Rocky Ridge Park sits within the neighborhood, and the 750-acre green space has 12 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The park’s rocky vistas grant visitors panoramic views of the Susquehanna River and its valley. Between Thanksgiving and the close of December, the park is decorated with festive lights, and Santa Claus has been known to make occasional appearances and greet children. Springettsbury Park features four softball and baseball diamonds, three basketball courts, an inline hockey rink and several courts for tennis and pickleball. The park’s playground is fenced and fitted with rubber flooring to ensure safe play.
