Chester County, PA Property Records
Chester, Pennsylvania, property records document key details about real estate within the city, including parcel ownership, assessed values, property tax information, sales history, legal descriptions, deed transfers, and related land records. These records are useful for homebuyers, property owners, real estate professionals, researchers, and attorneys who need to verify ownership, review tax obligations, evaluate property values, or investigate a parcel’s history.
Because Chester is located in Delaware County, official property information is maintained through county offices such as the Board of Assessment, Treasurer/Tax Claim, and Recorder of Deeds. Users can access parcel and assessment details through the official Delaware County property records search, while deed and recording information may be obtained from the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds. For city-specific tax or municipal questions, users may also contact the City of Chester’s relevant administrative offices.
Chester County, PA Property Records & Statistics
Chester County is a high-cost, high-income market. The median rent is $1,409, far above the Pennsylvania median of $839 and the national median of $840.25. The median home value of $388,750 is more than double the state figure of $168,550 and the national figure of $173,750, placing the county among the most expensive housing markets in the state.
The median property tax rate is 1.6%, above both the state rate of 1.3% and the national rate of 0.74%. With such high home values, that rate translates into substantial annual tax bills for owners.
Incomes are strong enough to support those costs. The median household income is $111,590, compared with $63,611 statewide and $65,108 nationally. The unemployment rate of 2.45% is below the state rate of 2.84% and the national rate of 2.87%, indicating a healthy labor market.
Renter-occupied housing is 21.91% of occupied homes, above the state's 19.64% and just above the national 21.81%. Taken together, the figures describe an affluent county with high housing costs, high incomes and low unemployment, where homes are expensive for both buyers and renters.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Chester
Chester County has one of the largest property record collections in Pennsylvania, with 204,214 total parcels, including 180,019 residential and 7,722 commercial parcels. Tax records cover 98.61% of the population for the 2025 assessment year, and the Recorder holds 369,070 deeds and 642,097 mortgages. Valuation data is available for 161,167 properties, and foreclosure records reach back to October 3, 1934.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 204,214 |
| Residential Parcels | 180,019 |
| Commercial Parcels | 7,722 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 98.61% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 369,070 |
| Mortgage Records | 642,097 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 161,167 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 1,724 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records follow a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage moved from one lender or loan holder to another, and a release shows that the loan was paid off and the lien was removed from the property.
Chester County has 620,109 assignment and release records. They include 52,402 assignment documents, recorded from June 3, 1989, through August 27, 2025, and 567,285 release documents, recorded from June 3, 1987, through August 27, 2025, along with 422 other documents.
With this depth of records, researchers can confirm that past mortgages were released, trace how a loan changed hands, and identify liens that may still be open before a purchase or refinance. The county's records search is the place to look up recorded documents, and the Recorder of Deeds page explains the office's services.
How to Search Chester County, PA Property Records
Chester County deeds, mortgages and related documents are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds Office in West Chester. The records include 369,070 deeds recorded from March 1, 1989 and 642,097 mortgages recorded from May 29, 1992, both through August 21, 2025, in addition to assessment data on the county's 204,214 parcels.
For online searching, use the Chester County Records Search to look up deeds, mortgages and other recorded instruments. The Chester County Recorder of Deeds page describes the office's services, and the county also provides recording forms and e-recording information for those who file documents.
The office is at 313 W. Market Street, West Chester, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 610-344-6330 with questions about a specific record.
Before you search, collect the owner's name, the property address or any known document details. Start with the most specific detail, review results by date and document type, and open the match. If a document is not available online, contact the office.
Chester Registrar of Deeds
The Chester County Probate Office is located at 313 W. Market Street, West Chester, PA, 19380 and can be reached at 610-344-6330. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through chesco.org or the official website chesco.org.
Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office
Chester County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Chester County property records by address?
Use the Chester County Records Search to find recorded documents connected to a property. For address-based parcel lookups across the county's 204,214 parcels, call the Recorder of Deeds Office at 610-344-6330 and staff can suggest the best way to find the parcel.
How can I find property owners in Chester County?
The current owner is shown on the latest recorded deed. Search the Chester County Records Search by name or document details to find deeds. The county has 369,070 deed records, and the Recorder of Deeds at 610-344-6330 can help with difficult searches.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Chester County?
The county's records reflect the 2025 assessment year, last updated April 21, 2025. Assessed values come from the county's assessment office, not the Recorder. Call the Recorder of Deeds Office at 610-344-6330 for a referral to the right contact, and have your parcel number ready.
Where can I find Chester County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills are issued by local tax collectors and taxing bodies, not the Recorder of Deeds. Call 610-344-6330 or visit the Recorder of Deeds page on the county site to be pointed to the correct office for your municipality and school district.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Chester County?
Search the Chester County Records Search for deeds and mortgages. Deed records go back to March 1, 1989, and mortgage records to May 29, 1992. You can also visit 313 W. Market Street, West Chester, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Where can I access Chester County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel mapping for the county's 204,214 parcels is kept by county mapping and assessment offices rather than the Recorder. Call 610-344-6330 and ask for a referral to the department that provides parcel maps. Recorded deeds also include legal descriptions that help identify boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Chester County?
Permits and zoning are normally handled by the township or borough where the property sits, so contact the local municipality first. The Recorder of Deeds, 610-344-6330, does not issue permits but can help locate recorded easements or restrictions that may affect a project.
How can I create a list of property owners in Chester County?
The records search is built for individual lookups. To build a list, search recent deeds by date through the Chester County Records Search and note the parties. For bulk data requests, call the Recorder of Deeds Office at 610-344-6330 and ask what is offered.