RANK #34 / 996 · POP 215,672 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.6%
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, is often recognized for Scranton, its largest city and county seat, known as "The Electric City" for its early adoption of electric streetcars. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, the county is approximately 117 miles northwest of New York City and 132 miles north of Philadelphia, making it accessible via I-81, I-84, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The community offers a blend of urban and suburban living, with notable towns like Clarks Summit and Moosic. The landscape features rolling hills, lush forests, and the Lackawanna River, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and skiing. Parks like McDade Park and Lackawanna State Park offer extensive outdoor recreation, including trails, lakes, and playgrounds.
Life in Lackawanna County offers a lower cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas, with affordable housing and shorter commute times. The area attracts a mix of families and remote workers, drawn by the quality of life and access to educational institutions, including several colleges and universities. The economy is experiencing shifts, with significant investment in sectors such as logistics, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Efforts are underway to strengthen downtown areas and support existing businesses, alongside attracting new ventures. The county also focuses on community revitalization through programs aimed at improving neighborhoods and services.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Gouldsboro Data Center Campus
1778 Rich Pike LLC (potentially NE Edge)
|
$14,250M | Proposed |
|
Wildcat Ridge Data Center Campus
Cornell Realty Management
|
$1,600M | Proposed |
|
Project Gravity Data Center
Western Hospitality Partners / Archbald 25 Developer LLC
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Century Logistics Center (Two Warehouses)
Century Development Associates
|
$130M | Planned |
|
Hilltop Heights Affordable Housing Community
Scranton Housing Authority
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Lackawanna County Capital Improvement Project (Roads, Bridges, Infrastructure)
Lackawanna County
|
$29M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lackawanna County has a Boom Town Index score of 97/100, ranking #34 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $63,739, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Lackawanna County is $175,700 with median rent at $917/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3628, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed +6.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.59% of Lackawanna County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.