Scranton
RANK #271 / 996 NAT · #9 / 44 PA · POP 215,672
1YR FORECAST: +5.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
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.
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, Lackawanna County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.3%, and median household income stands at $63,739 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in PA.
By national standards, Lackawanna County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $175,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $917/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Lackawanna County are hiring — job growth of +1.3% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +6.0% 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 2.59% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lackawanna County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.0% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Lackawanna County is now valued at $175,700. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.