Davidson House
Harborcreek Township’s story
102 years in pictures
The archive holds 2 old photos and papers and 5 maps from 1913 on.
- 1924Harborcreek Township is settled
Harborcreek TownshipPA
A town of 16,603, settled in 1924.
Population
16,603
2025 Census estimate · −0.2% since 2020
Median home value
$237K
Census ACS
Household income
$87K
median
Median age
43.0
years
Jobs based here
4,797
A commuter town
TownGrade
A−
#382 of 1032 in PA
Is Harborcreek Township a good place to live?
Harborcreek Township grades A− overall, 382nd of 1032 graded towns in Pennsylvania, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. Its public schools beat 87% of Pennsylvania towns on state tests and graduation and it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 89% of U.S. towns. A typical home there costs about $237K, 3.7 years of the Erie metro’s $63K median household income. Only 21 of Pennsylvania’s 1,749 towns score lower on history. Harborcreek Township is home to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College. Harborcreek Township’s average trip to work is 18 minutes, against 26 minutes in Pennsylvania’s towns and 25 minutes across U.S. towns.
What makes Harborcreek Township stand out
Where Harborcreek Township beats most towns.
WalkabilityA
More walkable than 89% of U.S. towns
6% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
Natural hazardsA
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
Harbor Creek SD schools
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Ridge El Sch | K–6 | 472 |
| Clark El Sch | K–6 | 303 |
| Klein El Sch | K–6 | 282 |
SchoolsA
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
College town
13% of Harborcreek Township is in college
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Harborcreek Township grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Pennsylvania), ordered by how far Harborcreek Township is from typical.
WalkabilityEPA walkability 9.6 of 20; 5.5% of households have no carAOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 16% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →SchoolsAOpen →HealthUPMC Hamot 6.3 miles awayC+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →Jobs & income$87K median household income; 4,797 jobs based hereB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors10% conserved landB+Open →HistoryC−Open →Civic life3.1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsCOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Harborcreek Township: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Harborcreek Township, and how to reach them.
PowerPenelecEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterErie City Water AuthorityNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNearest public drop-offWesleyville Borough Recycling Center, 2 miOpenStreetMap
Register to voteOnlineIn Pennsylvania you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person until 15 days before Election Day, or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereErie County Board of ElectionsErie County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Mar 2020
ZIP codes16510, 16511, 16421, 1656316510 45% · 16511 30% · 16421 14% · 16563 9%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Harborcreek Township.
Harborcreek Township gets more snow than nearly all U.S. towns, has better schools than North East Township or any other neighbor and has commutes shorter than most of Pennsylvania.
SchoolsA
For schools, Harborcreek Township earns an A
Its A is the best School Grade on its borders; North East Township (B) is next.
Its public schools are run by Harbor Creek SD. Three of its 6 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Harbor Creek Senior HS, with 692 students.
87%of PA districts it outscoresASchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Ridge El SchLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–6 | Grades K–6 | 472 | A− |
| Harbor Creek Senior HSLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 692 | A+ |
| Klein El SchTop results in townGrades K–6 | Grades K–6 | 282 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within PA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A
Very low risk in Harborcreek Township, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 84% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 14 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Harborcreek Township.
16risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingStrong wind
14
paid flood claims since 1978
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
About one in three of Harborcreek Township’s working residents commute to Erie
The average commute for its 6,718 working residents takes 18.2 minutes, against 26.3 across Pennsylvania.
Most working residents leave Harborcreek Township for work: only 12% work in town. The top destinations are Erie (37%), Millcreek Township (11%) and Lawrence Park Township (7%).
12%work in town
| Harborcreek Township | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 12% | 6.3% | 8% |
| Median household income | $87,000 | $81,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Harborcreek Township12%
Erie37%
Millcreek Township11%
Lawrence Park Township7%
Summit Township4%
7 mi
median commute distance
4,797
jobs based in Harborcreek Township
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 89% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
OutdoorsB+
10.1% of Harborcreek Township is conserved land
11 miles of trail in 10 parks and preserves. The biggest place to walk is Wintergreen Gorge, 225 acres with 2.9 miles of trail.
#537for trails in PA
10.1%
conserved · 2,197 of 21,710 acres
11 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wintergreen Gorge | 2.9 mi | 225 |
| 2. Sixmile Creek Park | 1.8 mi | 185 |
| 3. Harborcreek Community Park | 1.4 mi | 133 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Harborcreek Township
The Erie Intl Ap weather station, 12 miles away, records that 104 inches of snow fall in a normal winter, more than in 97% of U.S. towns.
Harborcreek Township has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The July high in Harborcreek Township is 81°F.
104″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter22–36°
Spring37–56°
Summer60–79°
Fall44–61°
Nov 4
typical first frost
Apr 26
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthC+
Health in Harborcreek Township trails 59% of U.S. towns
Harborcreek Township beats the Pennsylvania average on 0 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 5. 81% of adults had a checkup this year in Harborcreek Township.
41%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Harborcreek Township | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 81% | 79% | 79% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 16% | 14% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 14% | 14% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 24% | 25% |
26 measures vs. Pennsylvania
0 better21 too close to call5 worse
| What stands out | Harborcreek Township | PA |
|---|---|---|
| More uninsured adults | 7.3% | 5.8% |
| More adults with COPD | 9% | 7.7% |
| More adults with arthritis | 35.5% | 30.4% |
UPMC Hamot
In Erie · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental
27th
percentile among PA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Who lives here
An age mix much like Pennsylvania’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Pennsylvania average. 23% of Harborcreek Township residents are 65 or older. 36% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 35% across Pennsylvania.
43median age · PA 40.9
| Harborcreek Township | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 23% | 21% | 18% |
| Under 18 | 19% | 20% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 36% | 29% | 29% |
| Median age | 43 years | 43.2 years | 40.5 years |
Harborcreek TownshipPennsylvaniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
15%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma4%
High school35%
Some college15%
Associate’s9%
Bachelor’s19%
Graduate17%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.1 points. Across Pennsylvania, 50.7% of residents are women.
| Harborcreek Township | PA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 9.7% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.7% | 9.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 15.4% | 9% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 6.6% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 11.3% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 13.1% | 11.9% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 11.9% | 13.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 14.2% | 11.4% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 9% | 8.1% | 7% |
| No diploma | 4.3% | 7.9% | 10.4% |
| High school | 35.3% | 32.9% | 26% |
| Some college | 15.2% | 15.1% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 9.3% | 8.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 18.9% | 20.9% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 16.9% | 14.3% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Nearby attractions
All 16 attractions →Presque Isle State Park and 10 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Harborcreek Township. Close and well known come first.
7 mi State parkPresque Isle State Park
29 mi LakeChautauqua Lake
15 mi LandmarkFort Le Boeuf11 mi Theme parkWaldameer Park9 mi Theme parkSplash Lagoon
7 mi Zoo & aquariumErie ZooSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Presque Isle State Park: Ruhrfisch, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chautauqua Lake: Banderas, Public domain · Fort Le Boeuf: Charles M. Stotz ?, Public domain · Erie Zoo: Pat Noble, CC BY-SA 3.0
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Harborcreek Township
18pages on Harborcreek Township
The big questions
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
4 within 15 miles of the center of Harborcreek Township
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Harborcreek TownshipIn town$15,972 in-state tuitionMercyhurst UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Erie5.8 mi$45,770 tuitionGannon UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Erie6.7 mi$40,656 tuition
About 13 of every 100 Harborcreek Township residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Pennsylvania.
A commuter town
88% of working residents leave Harborcreek Township for work
Where Harborcreek Township’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
4,797jobs based in Harborcreek Township
12%of working residents work in town
7 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Harborcreek Township
Unincorporated community in Pennsylvania, US
Harborcreek is an unincorporated community in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The community is located along U.S. Route 20, 7.2 miles (11.6 km) east-northeast of Erie. Harborcreek has a post office with ZIP code 16421.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Elevation
- 718 ft
- ZIP code
- 16421
Harborcreek Township’s neighbors
8 towns share a border with Harborcreek Township.
It grades higher overall than all 5 graded towns on its borders; Lawrence Park Township (B) comes closest.
Northwest HarborcreekWesleyvilleNorth East TownshipLawrence Park TownshipErieGreenfield TownshipGreene TownshipMillcreek TownshipHarborcreek Township
How the neighbors grade
| Town | PA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harborcreek Township | #382 | A− | C+ | — | A | C+ |
| Northwest Harborcreek | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wesleyville | #910 | C | B− | C− | B | C |
| North East Township | #593 | B | B | — | B | B− |
| Lawrence Park Township | #563 | B | B | B+ | B | C+ |
| Erie | #1014 | D | B− | C− | D | D |
| Greenfield Township | — | — | C+ | — | B− | B− |
| Greene Township | #968 | C− | C− | — | B− | B− |
Greenfield Township has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Harborcreek Township, North East Township, Greenfield Township and Greene Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Northwest Harborcreek isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Harborcreek Township with a neighbor →
Questions about Harborcreek Township
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Harborcreek Township, PA a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Harborcreek Township grades A− overall, better than 76% of U.S. towns and #382 of 1032 in Pennsylvania. It grades C+ for health and A for schools.
Is Harborcreek Township, PA expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.