County · Pennsylvania

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Luzerne County had 332,126 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). It holds 103 places (40 cities, villages and boroughs, 36 towns and townships and 27 census-designated) and 101 census tracts. GEOID 42079.

Luzerne 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

332,126

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 325,594 · ACS 2020-2024: 327,675

Median household income

$63,691

±$1,684 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971

Median home value

$174,100

±$3,161 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500

Median gross rent

$1,004

±$25 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209

How many people live in Luzerne County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 325,594 residents in Luzerne County. The Census Bureau estimates 332,126 for July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 327,675 over 890 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +792 (325,987)
2021→2022 +640 (326,627)
2022→2023 +2,057 (328,684)
2023→2024 +2,214 (330,898)
2024→2025 +1,228 (332,126)

Luzerne County in Pennsylvania. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	327,675	13,018,639	+10,012
Households	135,055±904	5,274,853	+6,395
Average household size	2.35±0.02	2.39	no clear change
Housing units	151,287±105	5,806,452	+1,197

Luzerne County's population since 2000

From 319,250 in 2000 to 332,126 in 2025: up 4.0%. 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.

2000 Census 319,250
2005 (estimate) 316,187
2010 Census 320,918
2015 (estimate) 318,203
2020 Census 325,594
2025 (estimate) 332,126

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 Luzerne County?

Luzerne County holds 103 places: 40 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 36 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 27 census-designated places. The largest is Wilkes-Barre with 44,523 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Luzerne County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Wilkes-Barre	city	44,328	44,423±69	$48,515	$117,200	23.1%	100%
Hazleton	city	29,963	30,111±32	$46,177	$151,600	25.0%	100%
Kingston	borough	13,349	13,397±55	$55,347	$172,900	18.3%	100%
Mountain Top	CDP	11,489	11,850±397	$109,535	$297,700	5.8%	100%
Hanover Township, Luzerne County	township	11,445	11,522±31	$61,056	$151,900	19.0%	100%
Nanticoke	city	10,628	10,653±23	$57,462	$108,100	19.4%	100%
Hazle Township	township	10,160	10,263±21	$59,134	$206,000	16.8%	100%
Plains Township	township	9,808	9,905±32	$73,790	$164,200	16.8%	100%
Butler Township, Luzerne County	township	9,485	9,827±33	$108,514	$252,900	6.4%	100%
Dallas Township	township	9,099	9,227±46	$101,293	$267,600	10.0%	100%
Pittston	city	7,591	7,626±62	$49,941	$126,800	20.0%	100%
Kingston Township	township	7,108	7,138±34	$76,574	$249,300	3.5%	100%
Plymouth	borough	5,763	5,770±23	$39,167	$92,500	24.1%	100%
Wright Township	township	5,722	5,762±17	$124,000	$295,100	7.3%	100%
Exeter	borough	5,514	5,541±21	$57,639	$146,800	11.1%	100%
West Hazleton	borough	5,163	5,178±35	$34,118	$151,800	34.9%	100%
Duryea	borough	5,036	5,084±17	$62,462	$157,900	22.6%	100%
Swoyersville	borough	5,021	5,048±27	$71,555	$148,300	9.7%	100%
Edwardsville	borough	4,929	4,932±24	$44,866	$123,200	26.1%	100%
Fairview Township, Luzerne County	township	4,703	4,733±24	$96,500	$293,400	4.1%	100%
West Pittston	borough	4,652	4,679±48	$63,706	$179,100	13.4%	100%
Jackson Township, Luzerne County	township	4,631	4,408±28	$122,344	$322,500	4.0%	100%
Newport Township	township	4,433	4,464±16	$57,541	$96,700	17.4%	100%
Plains	CDP	4,293	4,153±545	$74,150	$155,100	17.4%	100%
Jenkins Township	township	4,283	4,401±19	$54,878	$213,700	8.5%	100%
Forty Fort	borough	4,239	4,252±19	$74,432	$173,000	11.6%	100%
Larksville	borough	4,225	4,255±20	$56,942	$146,300	9.4%	100%
Salem Township, Luzerne County	township	4,027	4,047±15	$78,560	$200,600	6.2%	100%
Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County	township	3,846	3,961±27	$102,955	$300,500	4.0%	100%
Freeland	borough	3,833	3,837±14	$57,833	$118,000	24.0%	100%
Rice Township	township	3,632	3,701±45	$110,511	$314,000	6.1%	100%
Foster Township, Luzerne County	township	3,408	3,446±25	$68,384	$170,200	10.5%	100%
Lehman Township, Luzerne County	township	3,346	3,396±18	$79,549	$282,800	4.5%	100%
Wilkes-Barre Township	township	3,213	3,198±18	$67,656	$115,700	10.0%	100%
Pittston Township	township	3,186	3,216±16	$68,702	$186,500	6.1%	100%
Wyoming	borough	3,102	3,118±25	$71,950	$166,200	5.4%	100%
Harveys Lake	borough	2,788	2,809±32	$75,510	$238,600	5.1%	100%
Bear Creek Township	township	2,754	2,776±22	$88,333	$250,200	4.3%	100%
Ross Township, Luzerne County	township	2,726	2,751±18	$87,697	$218,200	6.4%	100%
Luzerne	borough	2,711	2,723±24	$42,135	$113,900	19.9%	100%
Dallas	borough	2,694	2,692±17	$91,050	$257,800	16.7%	100%
West Wyoming	borough	2,638	2,662±27	$66,382	$172,300	13.6%	100%
Ashley	borough	2,596	2,602±23	$56,500	$97,200	23.9%	100%
Dupont	borough	2,539	2,559±13	$86,500	$142,200	6.3%	100%
Avoca	borough	2,507	2,526±18	$63,478	$185,300	6.8%	100%
Hunlock Township	township	2,223	2,093±266	$69,769	$173,600	6.0%	100%
Trucksville	CDP	2,174	2,042±459	$60,469	$217,500	5.6%	100%
Beech Mountain LakesGEOID 4205028	CDP	2,157	2,111±739	$128,235	$219,900	3.4%	100%
Dorrance Township	township	2,076	2,127±338	$98,916	$299,700	2.4%	100%
Huntington Township, Luzerne County	township	2,053	2,055±265	$62,212	$217,000	7.3%	100%
Exeter Township, Luzerne County	township	2,051	2,604±552	$82,621	$223,000	7.2%	100%
East Berwick	CDP	2,042	2,279±430	$98,697	$221,800	7.1%	100%
Union Township, Luzerne County	township	2,035	2,033±314	$92,991	$221,400	5.9%	100%
Lake Township, Luzerne County	township	1,993	1,867±265	$88,229	$212,100	9.1%	100%
ShavertownGEOID 4269832	CDP	1,968	2,137±510	$75,781	$219,100	6.4%	100%
Black Creek Township	township	1,909	1,715±239	$90,368	$195,500	2.3%	100%
Glen Lyon	CDP	1,877	1,925±390	$48,333	$83,000	14.8%	100%
Conyngham	borough	1,825	1,526±223	$69,737	$251,400	5.8%	100%
Georgetown (Luzerne County)	CDP	1,723	1,880±256	$59,821	$117,700	5.4%	100%
InkermanGEOID 4237008	CDP	1,720	1,581±478	$50,402	not published	15.0%	100%
Plymouth Township, Luzerne County	township	1,717	1,697±289	$80,288	$131,800	10.3%	100%
Franklin Township, Luzerne County	township	1,716	1,744±219	$85,824	$226,600	12.1%	100%
Nescopeck	borough	1,480	1,486±277	$62,833	$168,200	9.1%	100%
Laflin	borough	1,451	1,459±149	$120,833	$244,900	2.3%	100%
Hudson	CDP	1,436	1,588±428	$52,708	$128,100	36.3%	100%
Hughestown	borough	1,329	1,506±279	$84,091	$167,800	5.6%	100%
Browntown	CDP	1,316	1,671±297	$69,332	$121,800	5.9%	100%
Conyngham Township, Luzerne County	township	1,312	1,303±245	$60,265	$116,700	12.6%	100%
Fairmount Township	township	1,210	1,119±241	$80,417	$257,700	8.7%	100%
White Haven	borough	1,166	1,014±175	$67,656	$175,300	17.1%	100%
Hollenback Township	township	1,162	1,142±203	$88,903	$206,700	4.1%	100%
HilldaleGEOID 4234776	CDP	1,120	1,012±289	$98,583	$235,700	3.8%	100%
Nescopeck Township	township	1,081	1,178±157	$85,789	$208,100	5.2%	100%
Misericordia UniversityGEOID 4250160	CDP	1,064	1,011±38	not published	not published	–	100%
Slocum Township	township	1,054	1,021±154	$96,719	$230,300	4.6%	100%
HarleighGEOID 4232600	CDP	1,050	1,389±571	$130,329	$342,000	0.0%	100%
Sugar Notch	borough	1,001	999±226	$52,500	$154,700	27.3%	100%
Dennison Township	township	963	1,081±147	$102,143	$212,000	6.3%	100%
ChaseGEOID 4212864	CDP	928	1,037±218	$102,946	$274,500	7.6%	100%
Pringle	borough	893	803±149	$55,625	$127,200	22.9%	100%
SilkworthGEOID 4270704	CDP	784	745±255	$66,500	$207,600	7.0%	100%
SheatownGEOID 4269952	CDP	766	614±247	$60,875	$124,600	18.7%	100%
Courtdale	borough	689	678±208	$82,750	$159,500	10.8%	100%
Nuangola	borough	666	748±150	$90,278	$259,700	6.3%	100%
Yatesville	borough	638	749±192	$108,125	$182,600	2.9%	100%
Upper ExeterGEOID 4279016	CDP	633	1,004±468	$85,552	$221,700	8.3%	100%
Shickshinny	borough	632	638±161	$42,500	$84,800	7.7%	100%
Hickory HillsGEOID 4234308	CDP	624	480±187	$56,477	$188,300	12.3%	100%
WanamieGEOID 4280896	CDP	580	555±199	$53,167	$147,600	29.2%	100%
PardeesvilleGEOID 4257904	CDP	574	366±401	$51,626	$341,400	30.9%	100%
LattimerGEOID 4241700	CDP	567	684±395	$31,206	$217,900	34.8%	100%
West Nanticoke	CDP	562	632±197	$81,731	$112,000	8.9%	100%
Laurel Run	borough	558	469±94	$58,542	$58,000	32.8%	100%
Warrior Run	borough	527	466±116	$47,500	$105,400	22.4%	100%
Mocanaqua	CDP	515	593±194	$67,981	$108,000	15.7%	100%
Buck Township	township	379	269±65	$72,500	$302,500	10.8%	100%
Penn Lake Park	borough	360	376±67	$87,159	$243,800	1.1%	100%
WestonGEOID 4283720	CDP	332	495±218	$69,917	$173,600	0.8%	100%
Bear Creek VillageGEOID 4204599	borough	291	628±253	$160,962	$412,700	2.5%	100%
Pikes CreekGEOID 4260224	CDP	260	221±80	$81,250	$161,100	6.3%	100%
New Columbus	borough	222	305±110	$38,403	$186,000	18.5%	100%
NurembergGEOID 4255808	CDP	415	133±46	$46,250	$89,400	9.0%	26%
JeddoGEOID 4237792	borough	108	158±88	$65,903	$125,700	7.0%	100%

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 Luzerne County?

The median resident of Luzerne County is 42.0 years old; 20.3% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 17.3%. 9.6% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	42.0±0.2	40.9	−0.8
Under 18 years	20.3%±0.1 pts	20.4%	–
65 years and over	20.1%±0.1 pts	19.5%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	17.3%	8.7%	+5.4 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	74.2%±0.2 pts	73.0%	−7.3 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	4.1%±0.2 pts	10.3%	+0.4 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	1.2%±0.1 pts	3.8%	no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.0%±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	2.9%±0.3 pts	3.6%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.3%±0.1 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	9.6%±0.5 pts	7.7%	+2.9 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	15.9%±0.5 pts	12.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	6.5%±0.3 pts	6.1%	–
With a disability	16.1%±0.5 pts	14.4%	–
No health insurance coverage	6.6%±0.4 pts	5.6%	+1.6 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	90.2%±0.5 pts	92.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	25.3%±0.7 pts	35.2%	+2.4 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	9.9%±0.5 pts	14.3%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	2.1%±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 Luzerne County earn?

Half of Luzerne County's 135,055 households earn less than $63,691 a year (±$1,684), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,809 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $2,118 after inflation. 15.3% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$63,691±$1,684	$77,971	−$2,118
Mean household income	$86,447±$1,652	$107,538	–
Per capita income	$36,493±$694	$44,355	no clear change
People below the poverty line	15.3%±0.7 pts	11.7%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	24.7%±1.9 pts	15.6%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	19.6%±0.9 pts	14.4%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	87.8%±0.7 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 Luzerne County?

Owners occupy 67.8% of Luzerne County's occupied homes and renters 32.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $174,100 by its owner (±$3,161). The median renter pays $1,004 a month including utilities, and 38.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$174,100±$3,161	$254,500	+$17,802
Median gross rent	$1,004±$25	$1,209	+$38
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	38.3%±2.3 pts	39.5%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,475±$25	$1,762	–
Owner-occupied homes	67.8%±0.9 pts	69.3%	no clear change
Housing units	151,287±105	5,806,452	+1,197
Homeowner vacancy rate	1.0%±0.3 pts	0.8%	–
Rental vacancy rate	4.7%±0.8 pts	4.9%	–
Single-family detached homes	64.1%±0.9 pts	56.6%	–
Mobile homes	3.2%±0.3 pts	3.5%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.6%±0.1 pts	1.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	30.3%±0.8 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 Luzerne County building?

Builders took permits for 295 new housing units across Luzerne County in 2025 (257 single-family), 0.9 per 1,000 residents.

2019 315 units
2020 385 units
2021 365 units
2022 283 units
2023 296 units
2024 325 units
2025 295 units

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

How do people in Luzerne County get to work?

74.6% of Luzerne County's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	60.4%±0.7 pts	62.7%	–
Unemployment rate	5.8%±0.5 pts	5.3%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	74.6%±0.9 pts	68.2%	–
Carpooled	10.0%±0.7 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	0.7%±0.2 pts	3.6%	–
Walked	2.4%±0.3 pts	3.3%	–
Worked from home	10.9%±0.7 pts	15.6%	+7.1 pts
Mean travel time to work	23.5 min±0.5	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 Luzerne County's census tracts?

Luzerne County is divided into 101 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,438 (Tract 2009) to $125,396 (Tract 2112.04).

All 101 census tracts of Luzerne 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 Luzerne County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?

Luzerne County's rank among Pennsylvania's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	12th of 67
Growth 2020-2025	16th of 67
Residents per square mile	17th of 67
Median household income	43rd of 67
Median home value	44th of 67
Median gross rent	24th of 67
Poverty rate	5th of 67
Bachelor's degree or higher	29th of 67
Median age	44th of 67

Every county in Pennsylvania

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 Luzerne 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.