ZIP Code 17027 in Grantham, PA

Campus Overview

Grantham, Pennsylvania isn't a traditional town. It's the home of Messiah University, a private Christian liberal arts institution located in Cumberland County, about 12 miles southwest of Harrisburg. Of the 3,420 people counted within this ZIP code, 2,771 live in group quarters, primarily student dormitories. That's 81% of the population. The median age of 21.3 years confirms this is a campus community.

With 12.7 people per household unit, the population-to-household ratio clearly indicates institutional housing rather than traditional residential neighborhoods. The 270 occupied housing units include faculty and staff residences, while the vast majority of residents are college students living on campus.

How Mail Works at Messiah University

Mail delivery at Messiah University operates through a combination of rural carrier routes and PO Box services. The campus has 82 PO Boxes available at the Grantham post office, alongside limited rural route delivery to campus buildings and nearby residential addresses. USPS recognizes both "Messiah College" and "Messiah Coll" as valid mailing aliases, though the institution officially changed its name to Messiah University. Street addresses include College Ave, Grantham Rd, and addresses simply labeled "Messiah College."

This is classified as a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no city carrier delivery infrastructure. The 2 rural routes (R001 and R002) serve the 18 street delivery points across the 0.008 square mile campus. Students living in residence halls typically receive mail through campus mailroom systems rather than individual PO Boxes. The 82 PO Boxes primarily serve faculty, staff, and campus departments.

Population Characteristics

The educational profile stands out. Among residents 25 and older, 47.7% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Median household income reaches $74,695, likely representing faculty and staff households rather than students.

Employment and Economic Profile

The campus employs 1,850 workers across just 5 business establishments, indicating Messiah University dominates local employment. The workforce includes significant numbers in transportation and warehousing (1,666 workers), education and healthcare (788 workers), and other sectors. About 10% of workers work from home (157 people), while 963 carpool to work, suggesting many employees commute from nearby Harrisburg and surrounding communities.

Housing Patterns

Home values in the immediate area average $266,500, with 169 owner-occupied units and 101 renter-occupied units. The housing stock includes 182 homes built before 1939, indicating the community predates the university's establishment. The 405 total housing units include 135 vacant units, some of which may be used seasonally or maintained for faculty transitions.

Mailing Address Format

For students in residence halls:

[Student Name]
Messiah University
[Building/Room Number]
Grantham, PA 17027

For PO Box delivery:

[Name]
PO Box [Number]
Grantham, PA 17027

For street addresses:

[Name]
[Number] College Ave
Grantham, PA 17027

Street Name Patterns

Street names reference the university (College Ave, Messiah College) and the original community (Grantham Rd, Mill Rd).

Nearby Areas