RANK #292 / 996 · POP 325,396 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.6%
Ricketts Glen State Park, with its 22 named waterfalls cascading through ancient forests, stands out as a distinctive natural landmark in Luzerne County. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, the county is approximately two hours from both Philadelphia and New York City, offering a balance of accessibility and natural scenery. Commuting within the county is facilitated by local bus services like the Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) and Hazleton Public Transit (HPT), with intercity bus services connecting to major metropolitan areas. The community offers a blend of urban areas like Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, alongside smaller towns and thick forests. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking across numerous state parks, lakes, and trails.
Life in Luzerne County is characterized by a focus on community values and an affordable cost of living. The area attracts a mix of young professionals and retirees, with many residents owning their homes. Educational options include various public school districts and private institutions. The economy, historically tied to the anthracite coal industry, has seen recent growth driven by commercial and industrial development, particularly in sectors like warehousing and technology. This development, often on former mining land, is supported by initiatives aimed at attracting businesses and creating jobs.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS Susquehanna Data Center
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$20,000M | Planned |
|
Nacero Natural Gas to Gasoline Production Plant
Nacero Inc.
|
$6,000M | Proposed |
|
Project Hazelnut Data Center Campus
NorthPoint Development
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Transco Regional Energy Access Pipeline Expansion (Luzerne County portion)
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company (Williams Company)
|
$800M | Completed |
|
QTS Data Center Campus
QTS
|
$580M | Under Construction |
|
NorthPoint Development Logistics Center
NorthPoint Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Luzerne County has a Boom Town Index score of 71/100, ranking #292 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $60,836, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Luzerne County is $152,400 with median rent at $904/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3992, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +2.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.15% of Luzerne County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.