The average unemployment rate in 2025 was 3.7% compared to the state's December 2025 unemployment rate of 4.4%. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics). Manufacturing, Healthcare & Social Assistance, Accommodation & Food Services, and Retail are the County's top industries. Adams County's per capita personal income is 60,234, ranking it 23rd in the state and at 85.2 percent of the state average of 70,678 and 82.3 percent of the national average, 73.204. (Source: 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis)

Adams County hosts approximately 3-3.5 million visitors annually from all over the world. Gettysburg is famous as a Civil War destination – specifically the Gettysburg battlefield and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, but greater Adams County offers a wide array of cultural sites, attractions, tours, events, and essential amenities such as lodging, dining, and shopping. With over 31,000 acres of State and Federal land, which include Michaux State Forest, Gettysburg National Military Park, and State Game Lands, Adams County is also a destination for those seeking outdoor recreation. The County’s beautiful rural landscape, containing over 14,000 acres of fruit orchards, is home to a flourishing fruit industry and its corresponding agritourism components.

In 2025, overnight visitation to Adams County remained robust, with overnight hotel occupancy matching 2024, at 56.1 percent occupancy. The destination experienced some travel related challenges in 2025, with international visitation to the U.S. down overall, especially from Canada, and with a record-long federal government shutdown at the end of the year. Most recent reports indicate, county lodging revenue remained strong at $66.8 million while generating roughly $3.1 million in local lodging tax revenue.

Based on the State of Pennsylvania’s most recent economic data for 2024, annual visitor spending levels exceeded $809 million, with direct tax revenue - at the local, state and federal levels - reaching $82.2 million. Visitor spending and taxes generated by visitors set new records in both 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, the tourism industry supported a workforce of 5,101 employees with wages paid exceeding $178 million.

Key tourism highlights from 2025 include: the launching of the new Gettysburg Railway excursion train experience, bringing a scenic train experience to Adams County for the first time in over 15 years. Two new temporary trails were curated by Destination Gettysburg in 2025; the Adams County Sweet Stroll and the Merry Markets holiday shopping trail. Several attractions in Adams County earned major TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards in 2025. The Gettysburg National Military Park, the Eisenhower National Historic Site, and the Gettysburg National Visitors Center were all voted among the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

With Adams County celebrating America's 250th Anniversary throughout 2026, visitation is expected to be strong as Gettysburg takes its place as one of the top historic destinations in the United States.

Fiscal stewardship continued to be a hallmark of County operations. The County’s commitment to transparent and high-quality financial practices is reflected in its long-term financial planning and budget. Throughout the year, commissioners and staff developed the 2026 budget amid rising operational costs, particularly in health care and mandated services, ultimately adopting a balanced plan with no tax increase by strategically leveraging reserves and applying multi-year funding strategies. The County’s Aa2 bond rating remained reaffirmed, supporting favorable borrowing rates for County and municipal projects.

The County first adopted a formal Fund Balance Policy in 2010 and adopted an updated Fund Balance Policy in 2021. The County recognizes the significance of maintaining an appropriate level of fund balance as one component of sound financial management. An adequate fund balance level is an essential element in both short-term and long-term financial planning, and serves to mitigate future risks, sustain operations during economic downturns, and enhance credit worthiness. The unassigned fund balance in the general fund was