by As Western Pennsylvania faces a steady decline in population, small towns are stepping up with creative solutions — including paying people to move in.
In an effort to reverse a projected population decline of 5% to 15% by 2050, some communities are offering cash incentives to attract new residents. Sharon and Hermitage in Mercer County, for example, are offering $5,000 per household, plus perks like free YMCA memberships and coworking space access. This initiative is part of a partnership with MakeMyMove, an online platform connecting remote workers with relocation offers.
California Family Chooses Hermitage
Adriana Krasnow, a remote worker from San Diego, is relocating to Hermitage with her family after learning about the program. Though she grew up in Hermitage, it wasn’t until she discovered the incentive offer that she considered returning.
“I thought a lot about my childhood. Growing up in Hermitage was a beautiful experience,” she said.
Despite its charm, Hermitage — with a population of around 16,000 — struggles to retain and attract residents, particularly when larger cities offer more jobs, amenities, and entertainment.
Remote Work Sparks New Opportunities
Mercer County loses about 1% of its population annually, according to Jake Rickert, associate executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp. Officials hope MakeMyMove’s focus on remote workers can help reverse that trend.
“Population is the answer to about 95% of these rural communities’ problems,” Rickert noted, citing fewer taxpayers and lower funding for schools and infrastructure as critical issues tied to population decline.
While the county received 157 applications to the program, only five households will be selected for the pilot run, mainly due to budget constraints.
The Bigger Picture Across Pennsylvania
Though Pennsylvania’s overall population is projected to rise to 13.2 million by 2050, most Western counties are expected to see a drop. Only Erie and Indiana counties are forecast to grow — by 0.3% and 10.9% respectively — thanks in part to educational institutions like Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a new College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Counties like Forest could lose up to 20% of their population, and Allegheny County — home to Pittsburgh — is expected to decline by nearly 2%.
Butler County: A Growing Exception
One exception is Butler County, which has seen steady population growth and boasts a strong quality of life. According to Mark Gordon, the county’s economic development chief, low taxes and the “small-town feel with big-city amenities” help drive interest.
Still, even Butler is projected to lose 7.5% of its population by 2050, largely due to a lower birth rate.
State-Level Action: Rural Population Revitalization Commission
To address the broader rural population crisis, Pennsylvania created the Rural Population Revitalization Commission. Among its early recommendations:
- Updating Census Bureau definitions to better track high-speed internet coverage
- Assessing state programs for rural impact
- Improving overall quality of life to make rural communities more appealing
Reliable internet access is key, especially for attracting remote workers — a major target group for these relocation incentives.
Would You Move for $5,000?
For families or individuals able to work remotely, relocating to small towns in Pennsylvania may offer more than just financial incentives — it could mean a better quality of life, stronger community ties, and a chance to be part of a town’s revival.
