Why do retirees and small business owners love the Alleghenies?
By Sarah Taylor
A 2024 study by SmartAsset labeled Juniata County as the ninth best county in Pennsylvania for small business owners based on small business returns, income and income taxes. With low income taxes and an impressive 28.59% increase in the small business income over the past five years, the county’s small business score index was a whopping 55.48. The state-wide leader, Montgomery County, scored only 4.04 points higher than Juniata County.
And after Juniata County workers have wrapped up their entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re sticking around. Juniata County is home to many retirees. In fact, it is ranked among the top counties for retirees to live in, across all of America.
This could be due to the low cost of living or the abundance of outdoor activities. The county itself is enclosed by ridges of forest-filled mountains and the stunning 166 mile long Juniata River Water Trail. The river hosts miles and miles of fun water play, ranging from swimming to tubing or kayaking.
What’s your favorite part about the Juniata region? Be sure to tell us in the comments and sign up for The Alleghenies weekly newsletter.
Sarah Taylor is a communications professional studying telecommunications at Penn State University. She can be reached at sarah.st.taylor@gmail.com.
