Penn Forest
RANK #796 / 996 NAT · #39 / 44 PA · POP 65,018
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Jim Thorpe, often called "America's Little Switzerland," is a notable town in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, known for its Victorian architecture and dramatic mountain scenery. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 90 miles west of New York City and 90 miles northeast of Philadelphia, the county offers a blend of historic charm and natural beauty. Commuting to nearby cities like Allentown is about 33 miles, while Philadelphia is around 80 miles, with bus services available. The community feel is often described as welcoming, with a focus on outdoor recreation. Over two-thirds of the county is state game land and state park land, providing extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River, and exploring areas like Lehigh Gorge State Park and Mauch Chunk Lake Park.
Life in Carbon County attracts those seeking a connection to nature and a sense of history. The county's population has been growing, with many residents owning their homes. Educational options include five school districts and a county-wide technical school. The economy, historically rooted in coal, is now seeing investments in technology, industrial, and commercial sectors. Local initiatives support workforce training and infrastructure improvements, aiming to attract new businesses and expand existing ones. The top industries in the county include retail, healthcare, social assistance, and manufacturing.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Panther Creek AI Data Center
Bitfarms Ltd. and T5 Data Centers
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Rock Creek Wind II
Undisclosed
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Rock Creek Wind
Undisclosed
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Sage Meadows Subdivision
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Carbon County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #796 of 996 counties. Job growth at +4.9% and median household income of $64,538 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Carbon County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $179,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $941/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Carbon County are hiring — job growth of +4.9% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved +0.9% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.23% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Carbon County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.