As of the census of 2000, there were 14,535 people, 6,605 households, and 3,817 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,537.5/km² (3,981.7/mi²). There were 6,982 housing units at an average density of 738.6/km² (1,912.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.95% White, 0.52% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.05% of the population. The ancestries for Hanover include: German (42%), Irish (11%), United States (10%), English (8%), Italian (3%), and Dutch (2%).
There were 6,605 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the borough the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,536, and the median income for a family was $45,156. Males had a median income of $31,206 versus $21,512 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,516. About 4.5% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
The Greater Hanover area has a population of about 55,000 residents. The community is made up of several areas such as Hanover Borough, Penn Township, Heidlberg Township, Manheim Township, West Manheim Township, Conewago Township, Berwick Township, and Union Township. All of these areas have Hanover, PA listed as their address.
Hanover, Pennsylvania is known by many as the Snack Food Capitol of the world. Hanover has been featured multiple times on the Food Network. It is home to Utz's Quality Foods and Snyder's of Hanover and in nearby areas there are others including Wolfgang Candy, Martin's Potato Chips, Hershey Foods, and Gibbles Potato Chips, among others. Most of these factories give free tours.
The Hanover area is served by Pennsylvania Routes 94, 194, 116, and 216. Route 94 (Carlisle Street/Pike and Baltimore Street/Pike) intersects with Route 194 at the square and extends north to Carlisle, PA and south to Baltimore, MD. Route 194 (Broadway/Abbottstown Pike and Frederick Street/Hanover Pike) intersects with Route 94 and Route 116 at the square and extends north to Abbottstown, PA and south to Frederick, MD. Route 116 (York Street/Road and High Street/Hanover Road) overlaps Route 194 and runs through the square for three blocks. It extends west to McSherrystown, PA and east to Spring Grove, PA. Route 216 (Blooming Grove Road) branches southwest off of Route 116 and runs through Codorus State Park.
Hanover is served by 4 routes of the Rabbit Transit bus system. Route #16 connects Downtown Hanover to Downtown York. An unnumbered route transports employees from York to Hanover. Route #21 connects Downtown Hanover with North Hanover and the Homewood Retirement Village. Route #22 connects Downtown Hanover with North Hanover and South Hanover.