Luzerne, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Luzerne is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 2,720. Residents earn $39,257 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,720 Population 3,831/sq mi density
$39,257 Median Income $31,778 per capita
$113,700 Home Value $170,810 Zillow
$758 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
352 Violent Crime/100K 2,853 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$39,257 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$113,700 home value, $758/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
352 violent crimes/100K (7% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,257
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $113,700
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 352/100K
7% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.8%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $758
35% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.6%
42% higher than US avg

How Luzerne Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,720
Median Age50.1 yrs
Density3,831/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

C+
Median Income$39,257
Per Capita$31,778
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty17.6%
County GDP$20,580M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$113,700
Rent$758
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$170,810

Crime

F
Violent352/100K
Property2,853/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault247/100K
Burglary634/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain38.7 in/yr
Elevation629 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.8%
High School+87.3%
School Score5.32

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute18 min
Libraries16

Is Luzerne a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Luzerne receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Luzerne has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Luzerne is $39,257, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Luzerne is $113,700, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $758 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Luzerne is below the national average at 352 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,853 per 100,000, 46% above the national average.

Education

14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Luzerne experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.7 inches, including 45.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Luzerne has a population of 2,720 with a density of 3,831 people per square mile. The median age is 50.1 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.8%).

Population

2,720
Total Population
3,831
People / sq mi
50.1yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Luzerne vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Luzerne vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Luzerne is $39,257, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Luzerne vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,257
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,778
Avg Weekly Wage$1,075
IRS Avg AGI$63,726

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.6%
42% above US avg
Establishments (County)7,474
County GDP$20,580M

Business (County)

Restaurants769
Healthcare993
Retail1,145
Manufacturing299

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,079
74% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.35%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.1 min
Work from Home12.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Luzerne is $113,700, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $758 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $170,810.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$113,700
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$170,810
Median List Price$329,999

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$329,999
$/Sq Ft$109
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio91.9%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$758
35% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$863
1 Bedroom$1,028
2 Bedrooms$1,252
3 Bedrooms$1,631
4 Bedrooms$1,766

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,079
74% above US avg
Effective Rate5.35%

Health Metrics: Luzerne vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.1%
Premature Death10,192/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access88.9%
Healthcare Facilities993
Luzerne has a violent crime rate of 352 per 100,000 residents, 7% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,853 per 100,000 (46% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Luzerne vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent352.2/100K
7% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape35.2/100K
Robbery70.5/100K
Assault246.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,853.1/100K
46% above US avg
Burglary634.0/100K
Theft2,078.2/100K
Vehicle Theft140.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Luzerne has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.3°F
5% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.7 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall45.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation629 ft (192 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density3,831/sq mi
Coordinates41.2869°N, 75.8968°W
County FIPS42079
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.2%
D 40%

Winner: Republican by 19.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.8%
56% below US avg
High School+87.3%
School Test Score5.32
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,831/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities993
Restaurants769
Retail Stores1,145

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.1 min
Work from Home12.7%

Nearby Cities

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