17512 vs 17603 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 17512, Orange = ZIP 17603.
Quick verdict: ZIP 17512 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 17603 is wealthier, higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 17512
Columbia borough, PA
View full profile →- Population18,235
- Median Income$61,130
- Median Home Value$221k
- Median Rent$855
- Median Age45.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate12.2%
ZIP 17603
Lancaster city, PA
View full profile →- Population66,788
- Median Income$77,156
- Median Home Value$245k
- Median Rent$1,069
- Median Age35.5 yrs
- Poverty Rate14.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
18,23566,788
Median Income
$61,130$77,156
Median Home Value
$221k$245k
Median Rent
$855$1,069
Median Age
45.0 yrs35.5 yrs
Poverty Rate
12.2%14.8%
Demographics
ZIP 17512
Columbia borough, PA
View full profile →- White %82.7%
- Black %5.8%
- Asian %0.4%
- Hispanic %14.9%
- Age 0–17 %17.7%
- Age 18–64 %56.6%
- Age 65+ %25.6%
- Bachelor's+ %22.6%
- Diversity Index29/100
ZIP 17603
Lancaster city, PA
View full profile →- White %65.0%
- Black %8.2%
- Asian %3.9%
- Hispanic %26.7%
- Age 0–17 %21.8%
- Age 18–64 %62.1%
- Age 65+ %16.1%
- Bachelor's+ %36.7%
- Diversity Index50/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
82.7%65.0%
Black %
5.8%8.2%
Asian %
0.4%3.9%
Hispanic %
14.9%26.7%
Age 0–17 %
17.7%21.8%
Age 18–64 %
56.6%62.1%
Age 65+ %
25.6%16.1%
Bachelor's+ %
22.6%36.7%
Diversity Index
29/10050/100
Economy
ZIP 17512
Columbia borough, PA
View full profile →- Median Income$61,130
- Unemployment %2.4%
- IRS Net Migration+830
- Work From Home %6.6%
ZIP 17603
Lancaster city, PA
View full profile →- Median Income$77,156
- Unemployment %5.0%
- IRS Net Migration+3,041
- Work From Home %9.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$61,130$77,156
Unemployment %
2.4%5.0%
IRS Net Migration
+830+3,041
Work From Home %
6.6%9.8%
Housing
ZIP 17512
Columbia borough, PA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$221k
- Median Rent$855
- Owner Occupied %64.0%
- Broadband %85.4%
- Vacant %5.6%
- Median Year Built1959
ZIP 17603
Lancaster city, PA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$245k
- Median Rent$1,069
- Owner Occupied %62.4%
- Broadband %91.9%
- Vacant %4.8%
- Median Year Built1959
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$221k$245k
Median Rent
$855$1,069
Owner Occupied %
64.0%62.4%
Broadband %
85.4%91.9%
Vacant %
5.6%4.8%
Median Year Built
19591959
Climate & Location
ZIP 17512
Columbia borough, PA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)360 ft
- Nearest Airport11.5 miles (18.5 km)
- Distance to Coast34.8 miles (56.0 km)
ZIP 17603
Lancaster city, PA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)270 ft
- Nearest Airport6.5 miles (10.5 km)
- Distance to Coast30.7 miles (49.4 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
360 ft270 ft
Nearest Airport
11.5 miles (18.5 km)6.5 miles (10.5 km)
Distance to Coast
34.8 miles (56.0 km)30.7 miles (49.4 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 17512
Columbia borough, PA
View full profile →- Work From Home %6.6%
- Walkability (0–100)50
- Broadband %85.4%
ZIP 17603
Lancaster city, PA
View full profile →- Work From Home %9.8%
- Walkability (0–100)45
- Broadband %91.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
6.6%9.8%
Walkability (0–100)
5045
Broadband %
85.4%91.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 17512 and 17603 compare?
ZIP 17512 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 17603 is wealthier, higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (17512), orange the second (17603). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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