Luzerne County, PA Local Data & Statistics

State: PA
Total population: 327,675 Household income: $63,691 Rent: $1,004

Overview

Total population
327,675
Rent
$1,004
Year built
1960
Household income
$63,691
Per capita income
$36,493
Poverty rate
15.3%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Household size
2.4 persons
Rent over 30% of income
42%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
Pennsylvania
Total population
327,675
Adults over 25
233,287
Total households
135,055
Household size
2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$63,691
Per capita income
$36,493
Poverty rate
15.3%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Rent over 30% of income
42%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,004
Year built
1960
Households that rent
32.2%
Households that own
67.8%
Rooms per home (all homes)
6.0

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
75.8%
Black
5%
Asian
1.2%
Two or more races
9.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
17.3%
Not Hispanic or Latino
82.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
89.1%
Commute time to work
24 mins
Work from home
10.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
25.1%
High school graduate or GED
36.8%
Some college or associate degree
12.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
25.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of Luzerne County, PA with: Scranton Metro Area, PA Pennsylvania United States

Luzerne County, PA

Total population327,675
Rent$1,004
Year built1960
Household income$63,691
Per capita income$36,493
Poverty rate15.3%
Unemployment rate4.0%

Scranton Metro Area, PA

Total population569,788
Rent$1,003
Year built1959
Household income$65,158
Per capita income$36,939
Poverty rate14.8%
Unemployment rate4.2%

Pennsylvania State

Total population13,018,639
Rent$1,209
Year built1965
Household income$77,971
Per capita income$44,355
Poverty rate11.7%
Unemployment rate3.6%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric CountyLuzerne County, PAMetro AreaScranton Metro Area, PAStatePennsylvaniaCountryUnited States
Total population327,675569,78813,018,639334,922,499
Rent$1,004$1,003$1,209$1,413
Year built1960195919651980
Household income$63,691$65,158$77,971$80,734
Per capita income$36,493$36,939$44,355$44,673
Poverty rate15.3%14.8%11.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.0%4.2%3.6%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for Luzerne County, PA

Luzerne County is located in Pennsylvania .

Rent & Income

In Luzerne County, the monthly rent is $1,004 and household income is $63,691. Rent is lower than both Pennsylvania and the U.S., and household income is lower than both Pennsylvania and the U.S. The poverty rate is 15.3%, which is higher than both Pennsylvania and the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 32.2% of households. About 42% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 25.3% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is higher than Pennsylvania and similar to the national rate.

 

 

Luzerne County, PA — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Luzerne County, PA — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Luzerne County, PA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,004 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Luzerne County, PA

Annual Household Income: $63,691

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Luzerne County, PA

Estimated Rate: 15.3%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Luzerne County, PA

In Luzerne County, PA, households that rent: 43,490 (32.2%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 43,490 32.2%
Owner-Occupied 91,565 67.8%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Luzerne County, PA

In Luzerne County, PA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 18,286 (42%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 18,286 42%
Other renter households 25,204 58%
Total renter households 43,490 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Luzerne County, PA

Less than High School: 58,633 people (25.1%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 85,765 people (36.8%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 29,837 people (12.8%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 59,052 people (25.3%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 233,287

📊 Unemployment Rate in Luzerne County, PA

Estimated Rate: 4.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.