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Sugar Notch, PA

Pennsylvania · Luzerne County · Metropolitan Area

Sugar Notch is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 977. Residents earn $56,250 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
977 Population 987/sq mi density
$56,250 Median Income $29,989 per capita
$121,100 Home Value $154,693 Zillow
$879 Median Rent 21.9% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$56,250 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,100 home value, $879/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,250
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,100
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.0%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $879
24% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.8%
60% higher than US avg

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

People

Population977
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density987/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans6.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$56,250
Per Capita$29,989
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty19.8%
County GDP$20,580M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,100
Rent$879
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$154,693
Housing Units472
Rent Burden21.9%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property205/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary103/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.8 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation865 ft (264 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.0%
High School+86.8%
Graduate+6.6%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute29 min
Broadband86.3%
Libraries16

Is Sugar Notch a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sugar Notch receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Sugar Notch offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sugar Notch is $56,250, 25% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sugar Notch is $121,100, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $879 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Sugar Notch is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 205 per 100,000, 90% below the national average.

Education

18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Sugar Notch experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 48.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Sugar Notch has a population of 977 with a density of 987 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%), with 1.6% Black.

Population

977
Total Population
987
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Sugar Notch vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sugar Notch vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sugar Notch is $56,250, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Sugar Notch vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,250
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,989
Avg Weekly Wage$1,075
IRS Avg AGI$63,726

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.8%
60% 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
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.02%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.8 min
Drive Alone79.3%
Public Transit0.2%
Work from Home11.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sugar Notch is $121,100, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $879 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $154,693.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,100
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$154,693
Median List Price$172,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$172,000
$/Sq Ft$80
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio91.3%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$879
24% below US avg
Rent Burden21.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.5%
Housing Units472
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,079
74% above US avg
Effective Rate5.02%
Sugar Notch has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 205 per 100,000 (90% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property205.1/100K
90% below US avg
Burglary102.6/100K
Theft102.6/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson102.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Sugar Notch has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.8 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.8 inches
29% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation865 ft (264 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density987/sq mi
Coordinates41.1939°N, 75.9314°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyLuzerne County County
County FIPS42079
Sugar Notch is located in Luzerne County County. It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.2-point margin. 86.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.2%
D 40%

Winner: Republican by 19.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.0%
47% below US avg
High School+86.8%
Graduate Degree+6.6%
School Test Score5.95
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density987/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi
CountyLuzerne County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.3%
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities993
Restaurants769
Retail Stores1,145

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.8 min
Drive Alone79.3%
Public Transit0.2%
Work from Home11.0%

Nearby Cities

Ashley, PA 2,599 pop · 2.1 mi Plymouth, PA 5,761 pop · 3.4 mi Nanticoke, PA 10,610 pop · 3.6 mi Georgetown CDP (Luzerne County), PA 1,953 pop · 3.8 mi Mountain Top, PA 11,856 pop · 4.3 mi Wilkes-Barre, PA 44,217 pop · 4.7 mi Edwardsville, PA 4,917 pop · 4.7 mi Larksville, PA 4,248 pop · 4.8 mi Kingston, PA 13,333 pop · 5.4 mi Chase, PA 1,094 pop · 6.2 mi Luzerne, PA 2,720 pop · 6.7 mi Forty Fort, PA 4,235 pop · 6.7 mi Plains, PA 4,369 pop · 7.0 mi Swoyersville, PA 5,014 pop · 7.7 mi
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