County population in 2012: 321,027 (80% urban, 20% rural); it was 319,250 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 53,307 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 36,435 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 91,880 Renter-occupied apartments: 42,190 (it was 38,807 in 2000)
% of renters here:
30%
State:
30%
Land area: 891 sq. mi. Water area: 16.3 sq. mi.
Population density: 360 people per square mile
(high).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Luzerne County: 95.8 (near average, U.S. average is 100)
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Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (29.8%), Professional,scientific,management,administrative,and waste management services (14.7%), Construction (13.3%), Finance,insurance,real estate,and rental and leasing (10.4%).
Estimated median household income in 2009: $39,945 ($33,771 in 1999)
This county:
$39945
Pennsylvania:
$49520
Median contract rent in 2009 for apartments: $471 (lower quartile is $346, upper quartile is $608)
This county:
$471
State:
$597
Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $117,400 (it was $83,500 in 2000)
Luzerne County:
$117,400
Pennsylvania:
$164,700
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $77,800 - $174,100
Mean price in 2009:
Detached houses: $182,312
Here:
$182,312
State:
$223,477
Townhouses or other attached units: $131,665
Here:
$131,665
State:
$164,518
In 2-unit structures: $133,891
Here:
$133,891
State:
$166,566
In 3-to-4-unit structures: $155,377
Here:
$155,377
State:
$223,507
In 5-or-more-unit structures: $282,161
Here:
$282,161
State:
$225,726
Mobile homes: $69,855
Here:
$69,855
State:
$35,442
Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $38,685
Here:
$38,685
State:
$97,532
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,159 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $445
Institutionalized population: 7,371
Health of residents in Luzerne County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2009:
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.4. This is significantly worse than average. 69.2% of residents exercised in the past month. This is less than average. 54.1% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is more than average. 98.7% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average. 68.8% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is about average. Average weight of males is 196 pounds. This is more than average. Average weight of females is 158 pounds. This is about average.
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $1,920 (1.4%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $1,399 (1.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 13.0%
(10.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 39.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 13.0%
Luzerne County:
13.0%
Pennsylvania:
12.5%
(10.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 39.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents)
Median age of residents in 2010: 42 years old
(Males: 40 years old, Females: 44 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 44 years old, Black residents: 27 years old, American Indian residents: 28 years old, Asian residents: 34 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 22 years old, Other race residents: 23 years old)
Area name: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Luzerne County is $495 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $594 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $753 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Luzerne County: Council Cup Scenic Overlook (A), Sugarloaf Golf Course (B), Jeans Run Golf Course (C), Sweet Valley Golf Course (D), Edgewood Pines Golf Course (E), Wilkes-Barre Golf Course (F), Ashmore Yards (G), Hazleton Water Works (H), Pond Creek Junction (I), Sandy Run Junction (J), Newport (K), Eckley Junction (L), Hazle Brook Station (M), Ashmore Station (N), Hicks Ferry Station (O), Sunshine (P), Waterton (Q), Reyburn (R), Conyngham Station (S), Green View (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Luzerne County include: White Church (A), Lower Muhlenburg Church (B), Hetley Grove Church (C), Harmony Church (D), Good Shepherd Church (E), River Church (F), Mooretown Church (G), Saint James Church (H), Mount Zion Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Thompson Cemetery (1), Sorberton Cemetery (2), Sorber Cemetery (3), Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery (4), Oaklawn Cemetery (5), Oak Lawn Cemetery (6), Saint Ann Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Indian Lake (A), Graham Pond (B), Grassy Pond (C), Foss Pond (D), Blaine Pond (E), Najaka Pond (F), Lake Jean (G), Buck Pond (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Lewis Run (A), Rattling Run (B), Reservoir Creek (C), Scotch Run (D), Wasp Branch (E), Dymond Creek (F), North Branch Bowman Creek (G), Warrior Creek (H), Warden Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Luzerne County include: Ricketts Glen State Park (1), State Game Lands Number 260 (2), Nescopeck State Park (3), State Game Lands Number 206 (4), State Game Lands Number 207 (5), State Game Lands Number 224 (6), State Game Lands Number 91 (7), State Game Lands Number 119 (8), State Game Lands Number 149 (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 15,918 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 81.1% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16.4%
Number of foreign born residents: 6,171 (60% naturalized citizens)
Luzerne County:
1.9%
Whole state:
4.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 1,213
1990 to 1994: 987
1985 to 1989: 692
1980 to 1984: 444
1975 to 1979: 280
1970 to 1974: 514
1970 to 1974: 328
1965 to 1969: 1,713
Mean travel time to work (commute): 21.2 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 85.5%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 88,403
One, attached: 17,468
Two: 11,396
3 or 4: 9,287
5 to 9: 4,425
10 to 19: 2,067
20 or more: 5,716
Mobile homes: 5,855
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 69
Housing units in Luzerne County with a mortgage: 42,617 (3,862 second mortgage, 6,990 home equity loan, 159 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 36,182
Here:
54.1% with mortgage
State:
62.2% with mortgage
Religion statistics:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 60.22%
Here
60.2%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 192,245 Total congregations: 362
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Catholic Church
United Methodist Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Church of Christ
Adherents
132,599 (69.0%)
19,554 (10.2%)
9,895 (5.1%)
4,393 (2.3%)
3,858 (2.0%)
Congregations
108 (29.8%)
70 (19.3%)
26 (7.2%)
25 (6.9%)
19 (5.2%)
Name
Jewish
Assemblies of God
Episcopal Church
American Baptist Churches in the USA
Other
Adherents
3,500 (1.8%)
2,335 (1.2%)
2,297 (1.2%)
1,466 (0.8%)
12,348 (6.4%)
Congregations
6 (1.7%)
12 (3.3%)
10 (2.8%)
11 (3.0%)
75 (20.7%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Average size of farms: 134 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $40,887 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $621.55 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 27.39% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 19.02% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $32,513 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 39.87% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $50,259 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 91.06% Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.90 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 29.22% Corn for grain: 5881 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 1206 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 1966 harvested acres Vegetables: 1,679 harvested acres Land in orchards: 357 acres
Tornado activity:
Luzerne County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is slightly above Pennsylvania state average. It is 1.2 times above overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 17 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 7/6/1984, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 12 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Luzerne County-area historical earthquake activity is below Pennsylvania state average. It is 92% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 1/16/1994 at 01:49:16, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, 4.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 59.0 miles away from the county center On 1/16/1994 at 00:42:43, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MB, 4.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 59.1 miles away from the county center On 8/26/2003 at 18:24:18, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.5 ML, Depth: 1.9 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 59.3 miles away from the county center On 11/14/1997 at 03:44:11, a magnitude 3.0 (3.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 73.2 miles away from Luzerne County center On 8/15/1991 at 07:16:07, a magnitude 3.0 (3.0 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 93.3 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)
Most recent natural disasters:
Pennsylvania Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: November 16, 2006 to November 17, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1684): February 23, 2007, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1684, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Pennsylvania Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, Incident Period: June 23, 2006 to July 10, 2006, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1649): June 30, 2006, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1649, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Flood
Pennsylvania Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3235): September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3235, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Pennsylvania Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: April 2, 2005 to April 23, 2005, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1587): April 14, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1587, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Pennsylvania Tropical Depression Ivan, Incident Period: September 17, 2004 to October 1, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1557): September 19, 2004, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1557, Natural disaster type: Tropical Depression
Pennsylvania Flooding, Incident Period: January 19, 1996 to February 1, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1093): January 21, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1093, Natural disaster type: Flood
Pennsylvania Blizzard, Incident Period: January 6, 1996 to January 12, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1085): January 13, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1085, Natural disaster type: Blizzard
Pennsylvania Winter Storm, Severe Storm, Incident Period: January 4, 1994 to February 25, 1994, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1015): March 10, 1994, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1015, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Storm
Pennsylvania Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, Incident Period: March 13, 1993 to March 17, 1993, Emergency Declared (EM-3105): March 16, 1993, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3105, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Snowfall
Pennsylvania HURRICANE GLORIA, Incident Period: September 27, 1985, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-745): October 8, 1985, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-745, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
4 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Luzerne County (14) is near the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 5, Hurricanes: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Mudslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Storm: 1, Blizzard: 1, Flood: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tropical Depression: 1, Tropical Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.3 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 9.8
Births per 1000 population in Luzerne County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.3 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 13.8
Deaths per 1000 population in Luzerne County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 6.8 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 7.2
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Luzerne County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 66,650 (57,670 aged, 8,980 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 8% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 5%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 2.23 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 14483.57 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 339.470 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 42263.53
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1006.520 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1343.090 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 16.3
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 58.96 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 86.94
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 10.87 Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1
Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 36.9. This is less than state average.
Mechanisms of homicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 19.1
Other - 17.8
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 143.0. This is more than state average.
Mechanisms of suicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 82.9
Suffocation - 34.6
Poisoning - 15.9
Other - 9.6
Household type by relationship:
Households: 309,127
In family households: 251,124 (56,875 male householders, 26,216 female householders)
59,213 spouses, 85,943 children (80,391 natural, 1,957 adopted, 3,595 stepchildren), 5,423 grandchildren, 2,910 brothers or sisters, 3,270 parents, 2,694 other relatives, 7,025 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 58,003 (22,227 male householders (17,950 living alone)), 26,614 female householders (23,531 living alone)), 9,162 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 11,791 (7,371 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 37,876 2-persons, 20,570 3-persons, 15,027 4-persons, 6,242 5-persons, 2,133 6-persons, 1,243 7-or-more-persons.
94.9% of residents of Luzerne County speak English at home.
1.4% of residents speak Spanish at home (60% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 17% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
3.3% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (75% speak English very well, 16% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (52% speak English very well, 31% speak English well, 14% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
0.2% of residents speak other language at home (73% speak English very well, 22% speak English well, 4% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $2,311,151,000 ($7374 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $71,828,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $982,857,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $633,512,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $8,764,000 Federal grants: $387,206,000 Federal procurement contracts: $100,379,000 ($20,083,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $198,433,000 ($24,725,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $860,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $58,535,000 Federal Government insurance: $1,342,526,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 15,711
Here:
50 per 1000 residents
State:
61 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 23,221
Here:
74 per 1000 residents
State:
54 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +923
Here:
+3 per 1000 residents
State:
+8 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +597
Here:
+2 per 1000 residents
State:
-2 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Luzerne County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 21.02 millions of gallons per day (15% from ground, 85% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.3
State:
6.4
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.5
State:
4.2
Year house built
2005 or later: 1,421
2000 to 2004: 4,846
1990 to 1999: 10,520
1980 to 1989: 10,598
1970 to 1979: 19,354
1960 to 1969: 11,276
1950 to 1959: 13,791
1940 to 1949: 13,101
1939 or earlier: 63,138
Rooms in houses/apartments in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
69% of Luzerne County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 73% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 59% lived in Pennsylvania.
Luzerne County:
69.4%
State average:
64.4%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 274844
Northeast: 22078
Midwest: 3925
South: 7919
West: 2691
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $64,600
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Luzerne County
#2 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to foreign countries in 2006"
#6 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#6 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to foreign countries in 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#7 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006"
#9 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2003 (pop. 50,000+)"
#19 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2005 and 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#23 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of births per 1000 residents 2000-2003 (pop 50,000+)"
#39 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from other counties between 2005 and 2006"
#43 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest Nitrogen Dioxide air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"
#50 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox Denominations adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#71 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest carbon monoxide air pollution readings in 2005 (ppm)"
#71 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
#73 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most general practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005 (pop. 50,000+)"
#82 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating from foreign countries between 2005 and 2006"
#84 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Orthodox Denominations adherents"
#86 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Catholic Church adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
#87 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
#87 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005 (pop. 50,000+)"
#88 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 1990-1999 to 2000-2003 (pop. 50,000+)"
#94 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual air pollution readings in 2005 (µg/m3)"
42.0 years
40.0 years
(47.9%)
(52.1%)
, Columbia County 
, Lackawanna County 
, Monroe County 
, Schuylkill County 
, Sullivan County 
, Wyoming County 
.
