Wilkes-Barre
RANK #685 / 996 NAT · #33 / 44 PA · POP 325,396
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
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 (2021–2022). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 31/100, Luzerne County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $60,836 combined with job growth of +0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Luzerne County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $152,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $904/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Luzerne County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.5%. Home values shifted +2.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.15% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Luzerne County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.