Adams County is a gateway community founded at the crossroads of some of America's earliest highways, U.S. Route 30 and U.S. Route 15. It is a short distance from the vibrant metropolitan centers of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. A land of rolling hills, farms and acres of orchards, Adams county is the largest producer of apples in the Commonwealth, and carries the nickname of Apple Capital USA. Second to agriculture, tourism is a mainstay of the local economy. The Adams County citizens are proud of their area and their historic heritage. The quaint villages of Fairfield, New Oxford, East Berlin, Littlestown, Biglerville, Carroll Valley and others are pleasant sites to live and work. The majority of the native-born population is of German, English or Irish background. Adams County is 526 square miles in area, located 600 feet above sea level. The average annual temperature is 53.4 degrees, with the average maximum being 74.8 degrees and the average minimum being 30.1 degrees. The average seasonal snowfall is 32.2 inches, and the average yearly rainfall is 40.99 inches. A dynamic network of health and human service agencies, a State Health Center, skilled nursing facilities and other rehabilitative services serve Adams County. In addition, 27 volunteer fire companies serve Adams County. A splendid school system adds to the satisfaction of life in Adams County. There are six high schools in Adams County and all of them have new facilities, offering complete courses in academic and commercial fields. The county boasts two institutes of higher education - Gettysburg College and Harrisburg Area Community College. Gettysburg College, a four-year liberal arts college has an enrollment of approximately 2,100. Harrisburg Area Community College, a two-year college with a center in Gettysburg, offers many of the programs available at its main campus. The Gettysburg-Adams County Area offers room for substantial industrial expansion with many very desirable sites available. Property values are not inflated, and the attitude of both private owners and public officials is encouraging to new industries. Commercial air and airfreight service is available at nearby Harrisburg International Airport. Gettysburg has a small airport with paved runways and lights about two miles west of town on Route 30 - Gettysburg Airport & Travel Center (888) 550-9099. Approximately 80% of the families in Adams County are homeowners. While rental homes are in fairly short supply, a number of apartments have been constructed within the past several years. In addition, new residential areas have been and are being built to answer the demands for housing. Area School Links Gettysburg Area School District Conewago Valley School District Upper Adams School District Fairfield Area School District |
