Township · Pennsylvania

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County, township, in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County had 3,883 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,765 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,828 (±19). GEOID 4206937896.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

3,883

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,765 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,828 ±19

Median household income

$92,234

±$8,651 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971

Median home value

$274,000

±$27,696 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500

Median gross rent

$740

±$28 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209

Where is Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County and what county is it in?

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County is a township in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It covers 33.5 square miles of land, 112 residents per square mile in 2020.

One place lies inside Jefferson Township (Lackawanna County): Mount Cobb (CDP, 1,763 in 2020).

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County is in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County is the same area as Census Tract 1118.01 of Lackawanna County: the tract's figures are Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's own.

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County (marked with a dot) in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 3,883 people lived in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County on July 1, 2025, up 4.0% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 3,765 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,828 (±19).

  • July 2020→2021 +36 (3,762)
  • 2021→2022 +28 (3,790)
  • 2022→2023 +39 (3,829)
  • 2023→2024 +23 (3,852)
  • 2024→2025 +31 (3,883)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
MeasureJefferson Township, Lackawanna CountyLackawanna CountyPennsylvaniaChange since 2015-2019
Total population3,828±19216,14613,018,639+168
Households1,252±11288,2635,274,853no clear change
Average household size3.06±0.272.352.39+0.45
Housing units1,431±153100,1775,806,452−281

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's population since 2000

From 3,592 in 2000 to 3,883 in 2025: up 8.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 3,592
  • 2005 (estimate) 3,606
  • 2010 Census 3,731
  • 2015 (estimate) 3,684
  • 2020 Census 3,765
  • 2025 (estimate) 3,883

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County?

The median resident of Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County is 41.0 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 17.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasureJefferson Township, Lackawanna CountyLackawanna CountyPennsylvaniaChange since 2015-2019
Median age41.0±7.341.940.9no clear change
Under 18 years19.9%±5.1 pts20.5%20.4%–
65 years and over17.3%±3.6 pts20.5%19.5%–
Male51.3%±5.4 pts49.2%49.3%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3.2%±3.2 pts9.8%8.7%–
White alone, not Hispanic90.9%±4.5 pts79.6%73.0%no clear change
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic0.3%±0.4 pts3.0%10.3%–
Asian alone, not Hispanic2.3%±2.4 pts3.0%3.8%–
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.8 pts0.1%0.1%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.8 pts0.0%0.0%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic3.3%±2.1 pts3.9%3.6%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.8 pts0.6%0.5%–
Born outside the United States1.8%±1.3 pts6.7%7.7%–
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)5.3%±4.2 pts10.3%12.4%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)6.0%±2.3 pts5.9%6.1%–
With a disability9.8%±3.5 pts16.4%14.4%–
No health insurance coverage9.7%±5.7 pts4.9%5.6%–
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)88.1%±4.9 pts91.7%92.1%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)22.4%±6.0 pts30.6%35.2%no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)4.5%±2.6 pts12.3%14.3%–
Lived in the same house a year earlier94.8%±3.1 pts88.7%89.3%–
Moved from another state in the past year2.3%±2.1 pts2.2%1.9%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County earn?

Half of Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's 1,252 households earn less than $92,234 a year (±$8,651), against $66,223 in Lackawanna County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $78,635 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
MeasureJefferson Township, Lackawanna CountyLackawanna CountyPennsylvaniaChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$92,234±$8,651$66,223$77,971no clear change
Mean household income$120,486±$23,031$89,204$107,538–
Per capita income$40,641±$7,406$37,168$44,355no clear change
People below the poverty line8.0%±5.1 pts14.4%11.7%no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line15.2%±17.9 pts19.7%15.6%–
Households receiving SNAP1.7%±1.9 pts17.8%14.4%–
Households with a computer97.8%±2.6 pts93.2%93.8%–
Households with a broadband subscription96.2%±3.1 pts87.5%89.7%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County?

Owners occupy 89.6% of Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's occupied homes and renters 10.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $274,000 by its owner (±$27,696). The median renter pays $740 a month including utilities.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
MeasureJefferson Township, Lackawanna CountyLackawanna CountyPennsylvaniaChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$274,000±$27,696$201,800$254,500no clear change
Median gross rent$740±$28$1,007$1,209−$610
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent20.2%±32.1 pts39.8%39.5%–
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$1,672±$219$1,539$1,762–
Owner-occupied homes89.6%±6.1 pts65.4%69.3%no clear change
Renter-occupied homes10.4%±6.1 pts34.6%30.7%–
Housing units1,431±153100,1775,806,452−281
Homeowner vacancy rate0.0%±2.8 pts0.9%0.8%–
Rental vacancy rate0.0%±21.9 pts4.9%4.9%–
Single-family detached homes86.8%±6.8 pts64.4%56.6%–
Mobile homes7.8%±5.1 pts2.1%3.5%–
Built 2020 or later0.0%±2.2 pts0.6%1.0%–
Built 2010 to 20196.6%±3.8 pts3.8%5.1%–
Built 1939 or earlier7.8%±4.6 pts36.1%25.0%–
Households with no vehicle0.6%±1.2 pts9.4%10.4%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County building?

Builders took permits for 18 new housing units in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County in 2025 (18 in single-family houses), 4.6 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Pennsylvania.

  • 2019 7 units
  • 2020 15 units
  • 2021 21 units
  • 2022 17 units
  • 2023 13 units
  • 2024 18 units
  • 2025 18 units

Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County work and get to work?

76.2% of Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's workers drive alone and 17.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 11.7%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
MeasureJefferson Township, Lackawanna CountyLackawanna CountyPennsylvaniaChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)64.6%±6.9 pts59.5%62.7%–
Unemployment rate11.7%±5.4 pts4.9%5.3%–
Drove alone to work76.2%±9.2 pts75.9%68.2%–
Carpooled5.8%±7.0 pts9.3%7.5%–
Public transportation0.7%±1.1 pts0.6%3.6%–
Walked0.0%±1.8 pts3.0%3.3%–
Worked from home17.3%±6.8 pts10.0%15.6%no clear change
Mean travel time to work27.6 min±4.221.1 min26.3 minno clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County?

1 census tract lies mostly in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County (2020 census blocks).

Census tracts in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County
Tract 1118.01Lackawanna County3,828 $92,234 $274,000100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County) · Census block assignment files

How does Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County compare with other places in Pennsylvania?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County is the 2,874th-most populous of the 16,079 U.S. towns and townships that have one and the 471st-most populous of 1,542 in Pennsylvania.

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County ranks 598th of 2,136 places in Pennsylvania with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's rank in Pennsylvania (1 = highest): by population among the state's towns and townships with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate471st1,542
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)180th1,764
Residents per square mile1,649th2,159
Median household income598th2,136
Per capita income966th2,157
Median home value672nd2,146
Median gross rent1,749th1,963
Poverty rate955th1,606
Bachelor's degree or higher1,314th2,129
Median age1,478th2,157
Owner-occupied share440th2,149
Work from home440th1,710
Travel time to work763rd2,156

Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)

Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County?

19 of the 57 figures for Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.