County · Pennsylvania
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Lackawanna County had 216,502 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, in line with Pennsylvania (+0.4%). It holds 47 places (19 cities, villages and boroughs, 21 towns and townships and 7 census-designated) and 60 census tracts. GEOID 42069.
Lackawanna County is one of the 3 counties of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
216,502
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 215,896 · ACS 2020-2024: 216,146
Median household income
$66,223
±$1,519 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$201,800
±$3,927 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,007
±$25 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
How many people live in Lackawanna County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 215,896 residents in Lackawanna County. The Census Bureau estimates 216,502 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, in line with Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 216,146 over 459 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 216,146 | 13,018,639 | +5,494 |
| Households | 88,263±725 | 5,274,853 | +1,102 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.02 | 2.39 | +0.03 |
| Housing units | 100,177±75 | 5,806,452 | no clear change |
Lackawanna County's population since 2000
From 213,295 in 2000 to 216,502 in 2025: up 1.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lackawanna County?
Lackawanna County holds 47 places: 19 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 21 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Scranton with 75,514 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Scranton | 76,328 | $50,739 |
|---|---|---|
| Dunmore | 14,042 | $71,302 |
| South Abington Township | 9,532 | $113,615 |
| Carbondale | 8,828 | $47,716 |
| Old Forge | 8,497 | $71,812 |
| Archbald | 7,297 | $71,936 |
| Blakely | 6,657 | $55,855 |
| Taylor | 6,294 | $71,599 |
| Dickson City | 6,038 | $59,963 |
| Moosic | 5,959 | $80,187 |
| Olyphant | 5,383 | $66,423 |
| Clarks Summit | 5,107 | $92,083 |
| Scott Township, Lackawanna County | 4,629 | $93,384 |
| Jessup | 4,520 | $64,844 |
| Throop | 4,065 | $57,462 |
| Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County | 3,765 | $92,234 |
| Newton Township | 2,816 | $107,847 |
| Spring Brook Township | 2,748 | $69,821 |
| Madison Township, Lackawanna County | 2,469 | $79,769 |
| Fell Township | 2,338 | $60,875 |
| Roaring Brook Township | 2,273 | $127,500 |
| Greenfield Township, Lackawanna County | 2,260 | $106,607 |
| Covington Township, Lackawanna County | 2,198 | $100,313 |
| Jermyn | 2,150 | $62,917 |
| Moscow | 2,039 | $82,031 |
| ChinchillaGEOID 4213480 | 1,959 | $92,167 |
| Waverly Township | 1,856 | $151,442 |
| Mount CobbGEOID 4251536 | 1,763 | $105,577 |
| Mayfield | 1,763 | $78,750 |
| Benton Township, Lackawanna County | 1,726 | $64,583 |
| Clarks Green | 1,524 | $113,850 |
| Clifton Township | 1,493 | $56,705 |
| Glenburn Township | 1,434 | $88,333 |
| Ransom Township | 1,397 | $59,886 |
| Simpson | 1,336 | $52,875 |
| Dalton | 1,284 | $95,862 |
| Glenburn | 1,148 | $92,667 |
| Big Bass Lake | 1,337 | $60,795 |
| Carbondale Township | 1,125 | $76,111 |
| Thornhurst Township | 1,008 | $71,625 |
| Elmhurst Township | 842 | $79,205 |
| Vandling | 730 | $77,422 |
| North Abington Township | 706 | $130,000 |
| WaverlyGEOID 4281664 | 643 | $124,167 |
| La Plume Township | 476 | $36,932 |
| West Abington TownshipGEOID 4206982360 | 300 | $87,500 |
| Eagle LakeGEOID 4220634 | 12 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lackawanna County?
The median resident of Lackawanna County is 41.9 years old; 20.5% are under 18 and 20.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.8%. 6.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9±0.3 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.5%±0.1 pts | 20.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.5%±0.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.8% | 8.7% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.6%±0.3 pts | 73.0% | −5.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.3 pts | 10.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.4 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.7%±0.6 pts | 7.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.3%±0.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±0.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 16.4%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9%±0.5 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7%±0.6 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.6%±0.9 pts | 35.2% | +2.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.3%±0.5 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.3 pts | 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 Lackawanna County earn?
Half of Lackawanna County's 88,263 households earn less than $66,223 a year (±$1,519), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $65,006 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,223±$1,519 | $77,971 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,204±$1,866 | $107,538 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,168±$733 | $44,355 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.4%±1.0 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.7%±2.3 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.8%±1.1 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.5%±0.8 pts | 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 Lackawanna County?
Owners occupy 65.4% of Lackawanna County's occupied homes and renters 34.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $201,800 by its owner (±$3,927). The median renter pays $1,007 a month including utilities, and 39.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $201,800±$3,927 | $254,500 | +$14,242 |
| Median gross rent | $1,007±$25 | $1,209 | +$32 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.8%±2.0 pts | 39.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,539±$35 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.4%±1.2 pts | 69.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 100,177±75 | 5,806,452 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.9%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.4%±1.1 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.1%±0.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 36.1%±1.2 pts | 25.0% | – |
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 Lackawanna County building?
Builders took permits for 277 new housing units across Lackawanna County in 2025 (227 single-family), 1.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lackawanna County get to work?
75.9% of Lackawanna County's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.5%±0.8 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±0.5 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.9%±1.1 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±0.7 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0%±0.7 pts | 15.6% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min±0.6 | 26.3 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 are Lackawanna County's census tracts?
Lackawanna County is divided into 60 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $22,402 (Tract 1002) to $140,536 (Tract 1104.02).
All 60 census tracts of Lackawanna County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lackawanna County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 17th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 25th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th of 67 |
| Median household income | 35th of 67 |
| Median home value | 35th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 67 |
| Median age | 46th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 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.