Lake
RANK #305 / 996 NAT · #14 / 44 PA · POP 51,227
1YR FORECAST: +3.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Honesdale, the county seat of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, holds the distinction as the "Birthplace of the American Railroad," where the Stourbridge Lion, the first steam locomotive in the United States, made its maiden voyage in 1829. Located in the Pocono Mountains, Wayne County is in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, sharing a border with New York State. The county is approximately an hour's drive from Scranton and offers a rural community feel with small towns and extensive natural beauty. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Lake Wallenpaupack providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, and the Delaware River offering kayaking and hiking.
Life in Wayne County often involves a blend of small-town living and access to outdoor activities, attracting families and retirees. The public school system is above average, with high schools like Honesdale High School ranking among the top. While public transportation options are limited, efforts are underway to expand shuttle services connecting towns within the county and to nearby cities like Scranton. The economy, historically rooted in farming, lumbering, and tourism, is seeing new investment in business and technology sectors, with initiatives focused on fostering entrepreneurship and job creation.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Natural Gas Power Generation & Data Center Infrastructure (Northeast PA)
PPL and Blackstone Infrastructure
|
$25,000M | Proposed |
|
Waymart Wind Farm (Ongoing Operations/Potential Upgrades)
Huntsman Wind LLC (previously NextEra Energy Resources)
|
$64M | Operating |
|
Sterling Business & Technology Park Industrial/Logistics Building
Lehigh Valley Underground LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Palmyra Township Solar Farm
ECA Solar
|
$50M | 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 69/100, Wayne County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.5%, and median household income stands at $59,240 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in PA.
Housing in Wayne County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $211,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $933/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Wayne County are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (-0.0% YoY). Home values moved +4.1% 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 3.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wayne County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.