ZIP Code · PA

ZIP 17512

Part of Columbia, PA

Pop. 18,148·Lancaster County·196th most expensive ZIP in Pennsylvania

Median rent (all units)

$1,347/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.4%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$585

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 17512 · $1,347

More affordable than 83% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$950

1 BR

$1,050

2 BR

$1,310

3 BR

$1,700

4 BR+

$1,730

Research median

$1,310/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Pennsylvania

Rent in ZIP 17512 changed +6.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($66,684) is $1,667 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,310); a 3-bedroom is $1,700.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 17512. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,164/yr

At $1,347/mo median

Location

CityColumbia

StatePA

CountyLancaster County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.4% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 17512 (Columbia, PA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

18,148

Median income

$66,684

Median age

43.6

Renters

35%

Age distribution

18.7%

19.7%

23.2%

13.8%

24.6%

Under 1818.7%

18–3419.7%

35–5423.2%

55–6413.8%

65+24.6%

Gender

50.2%

49.8%

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

Race & ethnicity

78.3%

16.2%

White78.3%

Black6.6%

Hispanic16.2%

Education (25+)

13.6%

41.2%

21.6%

23.7%

No HS diploma13.6%

HS diploma41.2%

Some college21.6%

Bachelor's+23.7%

Housing tenure

65%

35%

Owner65%

Renter35%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 17512 in Columbia, PA has changed in 5 years

Income

$53,009 → $66,684

up 25.8%

Population

18,395 → 18,148

down 1.3%

Renter share

36.5% → 35%

-1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

19.9% → 23.7%

+3.8 pts

Median age

42.8 → 43.6

+0.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 17512 in Columbia, PA now reports about $66,684, up from $53,009 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 18,395 to 18,148 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.3% change. About 35% of households rent today, against 36.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.9% to 23.7%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 17512

About renting in ZIP 17512

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 17512 covers Columbia, PA. The median rent here is $1,347/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,050/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,310/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($66,684/yr), ZIP 17512 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 17512?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (about $26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,347/mo in ZIP 17512. The local median household income is $66,684/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 17512?

Rent in ZIP 17512 has risen 6.4% over the past year.

How does ZIP 17512 compare to other ZIPs in Pennsylvania?

ZIP 17512 is one of the more affordable among Pennsylvania ZIP codes for rent, ranking #196 of 261 at $1,347/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 17512 changed +6.4%, against a typical +3.8% across the 205 Pennsylvania ZIP codes Zillow tracks.