City · Pennsylvania
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Nanticoke, city, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Nanticoke had 10,712 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 10,628 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 10,653 (±23). GEOID 4252584.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,712
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,628 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,653 ±23
Median household income
$57,462
±$6,160 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$108,100
±$7,024 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$792
±$124 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is Nanticoke and what county is it in?
Nanticoke is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It covers 3.5 square miles of land, 3,074 residents per square mile in 2020.
Nanticoke is in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Nanticoke, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 10,712 people lived in Nanticoke on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, in line with Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 10,628 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 10,653 (±23).
| Measure | Nanticoke | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,653 ±23 | 327,675 | +349 |
| Households | 4,415 ±255 | 135,055 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.14 | 2.35 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,076 ±301 | 151,287 | no clear change |
Nanticoke's population since 2000
From 10,955 in 2000 to 10,712 in 2025: down 2.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Nanticoke 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.
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 Nanticoke?
The median resident of Nanticoke is 39.3 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 17.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.9%. 4.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Nanticoke | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3 ±2.8 | 42.0 | −3.6 |
| Under 18 years | 20.0% ±2.9 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.1% ±2.0 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Male | 50.2% ±2.6 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.9% ±4.0 pts | 17.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.6% ±5.7 pts | 74.2% | −9.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.0% ±4.1 pts | 4.1% | +6.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.3% ±2.3 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.1% ±3.9 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6% ±1.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 21.6% ±2.9 pts | 16.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1% ±1.1 pts | 6.6% | −2.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.5% ±3.5 pts | 90.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.6% ±3.1 pts | 25.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6% ±1.4 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.6% ±4.8 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5% ±1.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 Nanticoke earn?
Half of Nanticoke's 4,415 households earn less than $57,462 a year (±$6,160), against $63,691 in Luzerne County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $52,594 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Nanticoke | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,462 ±$6,160 | $63,691 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,221 ±$5,159 | $86,447 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,767 ±$2,593 | $36,493 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.4% ±4.6 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 34.8% ±13.1 pts | 24.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 32.8% ±4.3 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.4% ±3.1 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.8% ±3.4 pts | 87.8% | – |
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 Nanticoke?
Owners occupy 55.5% of Nanticoke's occupied homes and renters 44.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $108,100 by its owner (±$7,024). The median renter pays $792 a month including utilities, and 32.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Nanticoke | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $108,100 ±$7,024 | $174,100 | +$9,275 |
| Median gross rent | $792 ±$124 | $1,004 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.2% ±8.4 pts | 38.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,166 ±$72 | $1,475 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.5% ±4.2 pts | 67.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.5% ±4.2 pts | 32.2% | – |
| Housing units | 5,076 ±301 | 151,287 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9% ±2.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.1% ±4.9 pts | 64.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.5% ±1.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 43.1% ±4.9 pts | 30.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.5% ±4.0 pts | 9.5% | – |
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 Nanticoke building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Nanticoke in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Pennsylvania.
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 Nanticoke work and get to work?
69.3% of Nanticoke's workers drive alone and 9.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.7%.
| Measure | Nanticoke | Luzerne County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.3% ±4.1 pts | 60.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% ±2.9 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.3% ±6.0 pts | 74.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.9% ±5.7 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.4% ±1.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.3% ±2.7 pts | 10.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.4 min ±1.7 | 23.5 min | no 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 Nanticoke?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Nanticoke (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $46,169 (Tract 2141) to $65,078 (Tract 2142).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2141Luzerne County | 3,450 | $46,169 |
| Tract 2142Luzerne County | 3,067 | $65,078 |
| Tract 2143Luzerne County | 2,139 | $65,000 |
| Tract 2144Luzerne County | 1,997 | $58,472 |
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 Nanticoke) · Census block assignment files
How does Nanticoke compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Nanticoke is the 3,058th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 62nd-most populous of 1,012 in Pennsylvania.
Nanticoke ranks 1,808th of 2,136 places in Pennsylvania with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 62nd | 1,012 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 649th | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 389th | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 1,808th | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 1,899th | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 1,998th | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 1,627th | 1,963 |
| Poverty rate | 191st | 1,606 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,608th | 2,129 |
| Median age | 1,665th | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,923rd | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 1,237th | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 1,741st | 2,156 |
Nanticoke's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Nanticoke 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 Nanticoke?
10 of the 57 figures for Nanticoke 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 Nanticoke 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' public schools in Nanticoke.