Population277,270 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Valley Communities Framed by Mountain and River
Cumberland County, PennsylvaniaCarlisle anchors Cumberland County between Blue Mountain and the Susquehanna River, with the winding Conodoguinet Creek crossing much of the landscape. The Appalachian Trail passes through the county. Agricultural history, early Scots-Irish settlement, and communities on the West Shore add depth beyond the county seat. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 277,270 residents in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025.
Cumberland County at a Glance
Population277,270 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatCarlisle
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Hampden township
Established1750
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water550.311 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-76; I-81; I-83; US 11; US 15
Telephone Area CodesPUC area-code map
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Cumberland County
Cumberland County
Cumberland County was created from Lancaster County in 1750 and named for Cumberland in England. Scots-Irish immigration played a major role in early settlement, alongside English and German arrivals. Agriculture shaped much of the initial economy before other trades developed. Carlisle became the county seat within a valley landscape bounded by Blue Mountain and connected with the Susquehanna watershed. These settlement and geographic patterns help explain the county’s enduring mix of town centers and surrounding farmland.
Carlisle, the West Shore communities, and the Appalachian Trail offer different starting points for understanding Cumberland County. The Conodoguinet Creek winds across the landscape, while Yellow Breeches Creek forms part of the southeastern boundary. Pine Grove Furnace and Colonel Denning state parks add specific outdoor destinations. A balanced visit chooses one community center and one landscape area, allowing time for the differences between the valley’s towns, waterways, and mountain edges.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Carlisle anchors Cumberland County between Blue Mountain and the Susquehanna River, with the winding Conodoguinet Creek crossing much of the landscape.
Community History
Cumberland County was created from Lancaster County in 1750 and named for Cumberland in England. Scots-Irish immigration played a major role in early settlement, alongside English and German arrivals.
Around the County
Carlisle, the West Shore communities, and the Appalachian Trail offer different starting points for understanding Cumberland County. The Conodoguinet Creek winds across the landscape, while Yellow Breeches Creek forms part of the southeastern boundary.
Valley life unfolds between the mountain and the river.
A Closer Look
Cumberland County
Places and perspectives from Cumberland County
Cumberland County Wire
Cumberland County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsSpotlight PA — Pennsylvania Statewide
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Cumberland County
Stories from every corner of Cumberland County.
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Erie gunman who killed family controlled their movements, finances: police
A Pennsylvania man who fatally shot eight others, including seven family members, before killing himself had exercised strict…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Rep. Perry’s Trump ties targeted by Dems in closely watched Pa. swing district race
The president’s declining popularity could be a liability for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump loyalist who…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Reading could pull up to $24M from reserves to balance its next 2 budgets
Reading may use $24 million in reserves to cover budget gaps over two years, raising fears the city…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
The legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?
Top lawmakers said they wanted to act before the court-imposed deadline but didn’t, leading some members to mount…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Mount Rock Elem Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 47 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241. 717-776-2025.
Eisenhower El Sch – Elementary; grades 03-05. 340 N 21st St, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-901-2600.
Bellaire El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 905 Waggoner's Gap Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013. 717-240-6800.
Monroe El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 1240 Boiling Springs Rd, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. 717-697-0028.
West Creek Hills El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 400 Erford Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-732-0142.
Broad Street El Sch – Elementary; grades 01-03. 200 S Broad St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. 717-691-4574.
Grace B Luhrs Univ Elem – Elementary; grades KG-05. Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA 17257. 717-477-1612.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 503 North 21St Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-763-2100.
Upmc Carlisle – Acute Care Hospitals. 361 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, PA 17015. 717-249-1212.
Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 2200 Good Hope Road, Enola, PA 17025. 717-981-9000.
Roxbury Treatment Center – Psychiatric. 601 Roxbury Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257. 717-532-4217.
Public Safety
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Emergency Services
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
State Parks
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Trails
Utilities
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Cleve J Fredricksen Library – 100 North 19Th Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-761-3900.
Bosler Memorial Library – 158 West High St, Carlisle, PA 17013. 717-243-4642.
Joseph T Simpson Public Library – 16 N Walnut St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. 717-766-0171.
Amelia S Givin Library – 114 North Baltimore Ave, Mt Holly Springs, PA 17065. 717-486-3688.
New Cumberland Public Library – 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, PA 17070. 717-774-7820.
John Graham Public Library – 9 Parsonage St, Newville, PA 17241. 717-776-5900.
Shippensburg Public Library – 73 W King St, Shippensburg, PA 17257. 717-532-4508.
Courts
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
DMV
Pennsylvania — Find a Location
Pennsylvania — Title and Registration
Pennsylvania — Licenses & Photo IDs
Transportation
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Plan Your Cumberland County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Cumberland County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
Duke's Riverside and Dockside Willies are in Wormleysburg on the Cumberland County side of the Susquehanna. Downtown Harrisburg is across the river in Dauphin County. Check the destination address before choosing a bridge or parking area.
Adventure Park: Plan playground time and a family outdoor stop in the Mechanicsburg area. ABC West Lanes: Choose an indoor bowling outing on Carlisle Pike; check lane availability and pricing.
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center: Choose wooded trails or a mountain-view stop near Carlisle. Pine Grove Furnace State Park: Walk among historic furnace remains and lakeside areas in the South Mountain landscape.
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center: Choose wooded trails or a mountain-view stop near Carlisle. Pine Grove Furnace State Park: Walk among historic furnace remains and lakeside areas in the South Mountain landscape. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
Duke's Riverside Bar & Grille: Plan a meal on the Wormleysburg side of the Susquehanna River. Dockside Willies: Consider another riverside dining option in Wormleysburg.
Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses: Browse garden plants and gifts near Mechanicsburg. Brain Vessel Gallery: Look for art and distinctive gifts on Carlisle Pike.
Plum Bottom: Browse footwear and accessories; select the Camp Hill location for a Cumberland County visit.
Carlisle anchors Cumberland County between Blue Mountain and the Susquehanna River, with the winding Conodoguinet Creek crossing much of the landscape. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Cleve J Fredricksen Library – 100 North 19Th Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-761-3900. Bosler Memorial Library – 158 West High St, Carlisle, PA 17013. 717-243-4642. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
Mount Rock Elem Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 47 Mount Rock Rd, Newville, PA 17241. 717-776-2025. Eisenhower El Sch – Elementary; grades 03-05. 340 N 21st St, Camp Hill, PA 17011. 717-901-2600. These are selected contacts from the supplied school directory. Contact the school or district to confirm attendance boundaries and enrollment; a nearby school is not necessarily the assigned school.
Carlisle is the county seat recorded in the supplied Cumberland County information. Use the Government tab in local resources to locate the department you need; offices may have different addresses and appointment arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time for a Local DiscoveryExplore places to eat, shop and spend time in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Adventure Park — Plan playground time and a family outdoor stop in the Mechanicsburg area.
- ABC West Lanes — Choose an indoor bowling outing on Carlisle Pike; check lane availability and pricing.
Restaurants
- Duke's Riverside Bar & Grille — Plan a meal on the Wormleysburg side of the Susquehanna River.
- Dockside Willies — Consider another riverside dining option in Wormleysburg.
Shopping & Retail
- Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses — Browse garden plants and gifts near Mechanicsburg.
- Brain Vessel Gallery — Look for art and distinctive gifts on Carlisle Pike.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Plum Bottom — Browse footwear and accessories; select the Camp Hill location for a Cumberland County visit.
Outdoor Fun
- Kings Gap Environmental Education Center — Choose wooded trails or a mountain-view stop near Carlisle.
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park — Walk among historic furnace remains and lakeside areas in the South Mountain landscape.
Free Things to Do
- Kings Gap Environmental Education Center — Choose wooded trails or a mountain-view stop near Carlisle.
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park — Walk among historic furnace remains and lakeside areas in the South Mountain landscape.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Cumberland County Questions
How could I build a short Cumberland County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Adventure Park, a meal at Duke's Riverside Bar & Grille, and a browse at Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Cumberland County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Kings Gap Environmental Education Center and Pine Grove Furnace State Park and bring a picnic where permitted. Budget separately for museum or amusement tickets, restaurant meals, parking where charged, rentals and purchases. Check the linked destination’s current fees instead of assuming every activity on its grounds is free.
Where should I check the forecast before visiting Kings Gap Environmental Education Center?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, also open the destination’s notices for trail, road or facility closures. A county forecast does not confirm that an individual trail or activity is operating.
What should I confirm before making a special trip to Plum Bottom?
Use Plum Bottom to confirm the physical-store address, current opening days and whether the item or fitting you need is available. Some shops list online stock, multiple locations or appointment services, so contact the store about a specific visit.
Where can I find the businesses featured in this Cumberland County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Ronan Funeral Home, Willow Valley Hardware. Open a business page for its contact details. A business featured in this guide may serve the county from another location; confirm its address and service area directly.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.