Luzerne County | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Seal  Logo | |
 Topographical map of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | |
 Location of Luzerne County inPennsylvania | |
| Country | United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| Region | Northeastern Pennsylvania |
| Metro area | Wyoming Valley |
| Formed | September 25, 1786 |
| Named after | Chevalier de la Luzerne |
| County seat | Wilkes-Barre |
| Largest city | Wilkes-Barre |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| • Council | |
| • Council Chair | John Lombardo (R) |
| • Manager | Romilda Crocamo |
| Area | |
• Total | 906 sq mi (2,350 km2) |
| • Land | 890 sq mi (2,300 km2) |
| • Water | 16 sq mi (41 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 2,460 ft (750 m) |
| Lowest elevation | 512 ft (156 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 325,594 |
| • Density | 370/sq mi (140/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Area codes | 570/272 |
| Website | www |
Luzerne County[a] is ahome rulecounty in theCommonwealth ofPennsylvania. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 890 square miles (2,300 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) is water. It isNortheastern Pennsylvania's second-largest county by total area. As of the2020 census, the population was 325,594, making it the most populous county in the northeastern part of the state. Thecounty seat and most populous city isWilkes-Barre.[1] Other populous communities includeHazleton,Kingston,Nanticoke, andPittston. Luzerne County is included in theScranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a total population of 555,426 as of 2017. The county is part of theNortheast region of the commonwealth.[b]
On September 25, 1786, Luzerne County was formed from part ofNorthumberland County. It was named afterChevalier de la Luzerne, aFrench soldier anddiplomat during the 18th century. When it was founded, Luzerne County occupied a large portion of Northeastern Pennsylvania. From 1810 to 1878, it was divided into several smaller counties. The counties ofBradford,Lackawanna,Susquehanna, andWyoming were all formed from parts of Luzerne County.[2][3]
The county gained prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries as an active anthracitecoal mining region, drawing a large portion of its labor force fromEuropean immigrants. At its peak in1930, the county's population was 445,109. Many factories and coal mines closed by the early 21st century. Like most regions in theRust Belt, Luzerne County witnessedpopulation loss andurban decay. However, in recent years, the economy has grown moderately;warehousing has replaced manufacturing as the main industry.[4]
TheLuzerne County Historical Society maintains the storehouse for the collective memory of Luzerne County and its environs. It records and interprets the history, traditions, events, people, and cultures that have directed and molded life within the region.[5]
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Long an area occupied by indigenous peoples, by the 1700s theWyoming Valley was inhabited by several Native American tribes including theSusquehannock, who spoke anIroquoian language, and theDelaware (Lenape), who spoke anAlgonquian language. In the mid-18th century,Connecticutsettlers of primarily English ancestry ventured into the valley. These were the first recordedEuropeans in the region. Some came asmissionaries to the Native American peoples, while others came to farm the fertile land near theSusquehanna River. Ultimately, the violence of theFrench and Indian War (the North American front of theSeven Years' War between Great Britain and France) drove these Connecticut settlers away.[6]
TheBritish colonies ofPennsylvania and Connecticut both claimed the Wyoming Valley as their own.King Charles II of England had granted the land to the Connecticut Colony in 1662, but also toWilliam Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, in 1681. In 1769,Yankee settlers from Connecticut returned to the valley and founded the town ofWilkes-Barre. However, they were not alone. Pennsylvanian settlers (Pennamites) were also in the region.
Armed bands of Pennamites harassed the Connecticut settlers in what is known as thePennamite-Yankee Wars. While the land dispute continued, a much larger conflict began. In 1775, theThirteen Coloniesbegan a war of independence againstGreat Britain. Residents of both Pennsylvania and Connecticut were largely loyal to thePatriot cause, which supported theAmerican Revolution and independence.
On June 30, 1778,Loyalist forces, under the command of MajorJohn Butler, arrived in the Wyoming Valley to attack the rebel American settlements. On July 1, Fort Wintermoot at the north end of the valley surrendered without a shot being fired. The next morning the smaller Fort Jenkins surrendered. Both forts were later burned to the ground.
ThePatriot militia assembled atForty Fort. On July 3, a column of roughly 360 men, including a company of soldiers from theContinental Army, marched from the fort under the command of Lieutenant ColonelZebulon Butler and Colonel Nathan Denison.Butler's Rangers, with the assistance of about 500 Native American allies, mostlySeneca, ambushed the approaching Americans. In the end, 302 American soldiers were killed during theBattle of Wyoming.[7] Today, in the Borough ofWyoming, amonument marks the gravesite of the victims from the battle.[8]
The next day, Colonel Denison surrendered Forty Fort along with several other posts. Widespread looting and burning of buildings occurred throughout the Wyoming Valley subsequent to this capitulation, but non-combatants were not harmed.[7] Most of the inhabitants, however, fled across thePocono Mountains toStroudsburg andEaston, or down theSusquehanna River toSunbury.
In September 1778, American ColonelThomas Hartley took partial revenge for the Wyoming defeat. He and his 200 soldiers burned a number of villages inDelaware along theSusquehanna River. The following year, Major GeneralJohn Sullivan would lead several thousand men in a scorched-earthcampaign against the Iroquois nations in central and western New York.[7]
Two years later, in September 1780, reports of Iroquois and Loyalist activity in the region resulted in a detachment of 41 Patriot militia fromNorthampton County being sent to investigate. The detachment made it as far north as present-dayConyngham when they were ambushed by a party of Seneca and Loyalists. Ten men were killed in what is now known as theSugarloaf Massacre.[9]
The American Revolutionary War ended three years later (in 1783) with the signing of theTreaty of Paris. Great Britain finally recognized thesovereignty of the United States of America. The land dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut continued after the war. Connecticut established its own county (by the name ofWestmoreland) in the Wyoming Valley. However, Pennsylvania insisted that they owned the land. TheCongress of the Confederation was asked to resolve the matter. With the Trenton Decree, on December 30, 1782, the confederation government officially decided that the region belonged to Pennsylvania; the Wyoming Valley became part ofNorthumberland County.
Pennsylvania ruled that the Connecticut settlers, also known as the Yankees, were not citizens of the Commonwealth. They could not vote and were ordered to give up their property claims. In May 1784, armed men from Pennsylvania force-marched the Connecticut settlers away from the valley. By November, the Yankees returned with a greater force. They captured and destroyedFort Dickinson in Wilkes-Barre. With that victory, a new state (which was separate from both Connecticut and Pennsylvania) was proposed. The new state was to be namedWestmoreland.
To ensure that they didn't lose the land, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania worked out a compromise with the Connecticut (Yankee) settlers. The Yankee settlers would be allowed to become citizens of Pennsylvania and their property claims would be restored (as existing prior to the Decree of Trenton). As part of the compromise, Pennsylvania would establish a new county inNortheastern Pennsylvania. The Yankees agreed to the terms.[10]
On September 25, 1786, thePennsylvania General Assembly passed a resolution that created Luzerne County. It was formed from a section of Northumberland County and named afterChevalier de la Luzerne, aFrench soldier and diplomat to the American rebels and new government of the independent USA during the late 18th century. Wilkes-Barre was designated as theseat of government for the new territory. This resolution ended the idea of creating a new state. When it was founded, Luzerne County occupied a large portion of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The future counties ofBradford,Lackawanna,Susquehanna, andWyoming were all part of the original Luzerne County.[2][3]
In the following years, elections were held, the courts were established, a courthouse was constructed, and a government was formed. In 1787, Lord Butler was elected the firstsheriff of Luzerne County. Aboard of commissioners was also assembled to manage the county government. Some of the first county commissioners included Jesse Fell, Alexander Johnson, John Phillips, John Jenkins, and Thomas Wright (from 1794 to 1796).[11]
The population of the new county grew rapidly with new migrants. In 1790, fewer than 2,000 people resided within the Wyoming Valley. By 1800, the number of residents increased to nearly 13,000.[12]
The county gained prominence in the 19th century as an activeanthracitecoal mining region. In 1791,German immigrantPhilip Ginder stumbled across anthracite (or "hard coal") nearSummit Hill. This resulted in the creation of theLehigh Coal Mine Company. The company had a slow start because of the difficulty in igniting anthracite coal and the inability to transfer it to urban markets. In 1807, Brothers Abijah and John Smith were the first to successfully transport anthracite down the Susquehanna River on anark. In 1808, JudgeJesse Fell of Wilkes-Barre discovered a solution to ignite anthracite with the usage of an iron grate; it allowed for the coal to light and burn easier. This invention increased the popularity of anthracite as a fuel source. This led to the expansion of the coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Throughout the 1800s,canals and railroads were constructed to aid in the mining and transportation of coal.[12]
As the mining industry grew, a large region north of the Wyoming Valley, close to thePennsylvania border with New York state, sought independence from Luzerne County. On February 21, 1810, the counties ofBradford, originally called Ontario, andSusquehanna were created from parts of Luzerne County. The two counties were officially formed in 1812.[13][14] Thirty years later, on April 4, 1842,Wyoming County, the region in and around present-dayTunkhannock, was also formed from a section of Luzerne County.[15]
The County of Luzerne witnessed a population boom as a result of the growing coal mining industry.Carbondale, with a population of nearly 5,000 residents, wasincorporated as a city on March 15, 1851.[16]Scranton, with a population of nearly 35,000, was incorporated as a city on April 23, 1866.[17] And Wilkes-Barre, with a population of just over 10,000, was incorporated as a city in 1871.[18] By 1875, anthracite coal from Luzerne County alone represented half the anthracite produced in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[12]
Since 1839, the people in and around the cities of Scranton and Carbondale sought independence from Luzerne County. Wilkes-Barre was determined to preserve the integrity of the county; it did not want to lose its assets in the region. Decades later, in the 1870s, residents of the proposed territory were allowed to vote for independent status. Voters favored a new county by a proportion of 6 to 1, with Scranton residents providing considerable support.Lackawanna County was finally created from a portion of Luzerne County in 1878.[19]
Even through Luzerne County lost a vital region (the coal mining cities of Scranton and Carbondale), its boroughs and townships continued to grow.Hazleton (in 1891)[20] andPittston (in 1894) were both incorporated as cities due to their expanding populations. Thousands ofEuropean immigrants poured into Luzerne County due to the booming coal industry. The growing population quickly attracted the attention of factory owners in New York City andPhiladelphia. Dozens of factories throughout Luzerne County were established to take advantage of the ever-increasing pool of available labor.
With an increasing population and the build-up of industry in the region, tragedies became more frequent in the second half of the 19th century. Sixteen people were killed – largely in factories – when a devastatingF3tornado struck Wilkes-Barre onAugust 19, 1890.[21] It was the deadliest tornado in the county's history.[22] The region's first significant mining disaster occurred on September 6, 1869, when a massive fire at theAvondale Colliery inPlymouth Township killed 110 people.[23] Another consequential mining accident occurred on June 28, 1896, when the Newton Coal Company'sTwin Shaft Mine in Pittston City caved-in and killed 58 miners.[24][25]
Towards the end of the 19th century, labor unrest and union activity intensified in the region. Miners protested poor working conditions and unfair pay. This revved up tensions throughout the county. One of the most notable and deadly confrontations occurred on September 10, 1897 (near Hazleton). Luzerne County Sheriff James Martin formed aposse and fired on a group of unarmed striking miners in what is now known as theLattimer massacre. Roughly nineteen people were killed and dozens more were wounded. Luzerne is infamous for being the last county whose sheriff legally formed a posse to restore order in a time ofcivil unrest.[26]
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At the beginning of the 20th century, Luzerne County was in the midst of an economic boom. Industry, which included manufacturing and coal mining, drew thousands of immigrants (mostly from Europe) to the region. However, there were several drawbacks to the industrial boom. Labor unrest, mining accidents, andchild labor were just a few problems facing the county. Labor disputes led to miners striking in the late 1800s and early 1900s. TheGreat Strike of 1902 gained national attention when it threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply for major U.S. cities. At that time, residences were typically heated with anthracite (or "hard coal"). TheUnited Mine Workers of America protested for higher wages, shorter workdays, and therecognition of their union. PresidentTheodore Roosevelt became involved and set up a fact-finding commission that suspended the strike. The strike never resumed, as the miners received a ten percent wage increase and reduced workdays (from ten to nine hours). It was the firstlabor dispute in which theU.S. federal government intervened as a neutralarbitrator.[12]
Also, in the early 1900s, the anthracite coal mining industry – and its extensive use of child labor – was one of the industries targeted by theNational Child Labor Committee and its hired photographer,Lewis Hine. Many of Hine's subjects were photographed in the mines and coal fields in and around Pittston and Wilkes-Barre. The impact of the Hine photographs led to the enactment ofchild labor laws across the country.[27]
Despite the better working conditions, industrial accidents were still commonplace. On December 6, 1915, anunderground mine fire started in the Red Ash Coal Mine near the communities ofLaurel Run andGeorgetown. Hundreds of residents living near the mine fire were later relocated. The fire continued to burn well into the 21st century.[28] On June 5, 1919, another major mining accident occurred nearby. An explosion killed 92 miners at theBaltimore Colliery in Wilkes-Barre.[29]
Regardless of the industrial setbacks, the region continued to grow economically. In 1906, construction began on a newcounty courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.[30] Twenty years later (in 1926),Nanticoke, with a population of just over 22,000, was incorporated as a city.[31] It was the last city established in the county. By1930, the county's population peaked at 445,109. It was obvious that industry was the driving force behind the expanding population. From the 1930s to the 1980s, Pittston City emerged as a national center forclothing manufacturing. Thousands of workers, mainly women, labored in many factories throughout theGreater Pittston area. Most were members of theInternational Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). It advocated for higher wages, improvements in workplace health and safety, and employee rights. The ILGWU was active in civic and political life throughout Pennsylvania.[32]
Railroad accidents were common throughout the United States in the 1800s and 1900s. In 1934, the right arm ofHughestown resident Harry Tompkins was crushed by anErie Railroad train. This resulted in theU.S. Supreme Court caseErie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, which laid the foundation for a large part of modern Americancivil procedure.[33]
As the United States entered the age of mass air transportation, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, the two largest cities inNortheast Pennsylvania, recognized the need for a large-scale airport. Despite theGreat Depression and hard times affecting the local coal mining industry, a windfall multimillion-dollar opportunity to plan and build a regional airport was presented to the counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna through the federal government'sPublic Works Administration. It became apparent that a modern airport would be needed for the economic survival of the region. The site in and aroundPittston Township was first surveyed in 1939 by the county commissioners of both counties.
In 1941, John B. McDade, president of the Heidelberg Coal Company and father ofCongressmanJoseph M. McDade, donated 122 acres on which part of the airport now sits. Most of the land was previously owned by various coal companies. By 1945, the two counties entered into a legal agreement to co-sponsor and operate the airport. Between 1945 and 1947, construction of theWilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport took place in and around Pittston Township. Today, the airport is known as the "Gateway to Northeastern Pennsylvania and thePocono Mountains." It is the fifth busiest airport in Pennsylvania.
By the mid-20th century, anthracite production was declining at a steady rate. Consumers were gradually switching from coal to other forms of energy (e.g., oil, natural gas, and electricity). TheKnox Mine Disaster was the final blow to the industry. On January 22, 1959, the Susquehanna River broke through the River Slope Mine inPort Griffith,Jenkins Township; it claimed the lives of twelve people. In the following months, two of the area's largest coal companies announced a full withdrawal from the anthracite business. Thousands of jobs were lost and the mining industry never recovered in Luzerne County.[34]
The Wyoming Valley witnessed historical flooding from the Susquehanna River in the past. In June 1972,Hurricane Agnes devastated much of theEastern Seaboard (including Pennsylvania). The Susquehanna River rose to 40.9 feet and breached the levees of several communities in the Wyoming Valley. In Wilkes-Barre, hundreds were trapped in their homes; nearly nine feet of water inundated Public Square. At the historic cemetery inForty Fort, 2,000 caskets were washed away, leaving body parts on porches, roofs, and in basements. In Luzerne County alone, 25,000 homes and businesses were either damaged or destroyed. Losses in the county totaled $1 billion.[35]
Luzerne County's economy was hit hard with the collapse of the mining industry and the devastating Agnes flood. To make matters worse, factories throughout the county were shutting down. They could not compete with lower labor costs elsewhere. By the end of the 20th century, Luzerne County was in the midst of arecession.
Following the Agnes flood (from the 1980s to 2000), two notable tragedies occurred in Luzerne County. The first took place on September 25, 1982, whenGeorge Banks killed thirteen people in a shootingrampage in Wilkes-Barre and Jenkins Township.[36] The second incident took place on May 21, 2000, when a plane crash inBear Creek Township (near the intersection of Bear Creek Boulevard – PA Route 115 – and the Northeast Extension of thePennsylvania Turnpike) killed the pilot as well as all nineteen passengers.[37]
Many factories and coal mines were long since closed by the turn of the 21st century. Like most regions in theRust Belt, Luzerne County witnessedpopulation loss andurban decay over many decades beginning in the mid-20th century. Luzerne County in particular had reached the apex of its population around 1930. However, despite continuing population loss in recent years, the economy has grown moderately;warehousing has replaced manufacturing as the main industry.[38]
In the late 2000s, several scandals related to public corruption,cronyism, patronage hiring, andwasteful spending affected the county.[39] The"kids for cash" scandal unfolded in 2008 over judicialkickbacks at the Luzerne CountyCourt of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre. Two judges, JudgeMark Ciavarella and President JudgeMichael Conahan, were convicted of accepting money from Robert Mericle, builder of two private, for-profit youth centers for the detention of juveniles, in return for contracting with the facilities and imposing harshadjudications on juveniles brought before their courts to increase the number of residents in the centers.[40] In the following years, additional county officials faced criminal charges (e.g., a clerk of courts, a deputy chief clerk, a director of human resources). County CommissionerGreg Skrepenak resigned in 2009; he was ultimately sentenced to prison foraccepting money from a developer who received government-backed financing.
In May 2009, voters approved the creation of a government study commission. The commission proposed and wrote ahome rule charter for Luzerne County. On November 2, 2010, the voters of Luzerne County held areferendum on the question of home rule. A total of 51,413 (55.25%) voted in favor of home rule, while another 41,639 (44.75%) voted against the move.[41] The home rule charter would eliminate the positions of the three county commissioners; they would be replaced by an eleven-membercounty council (who will appoint and work alongside a county manager). This referendum "starts a new chapter in Luzerne County history," remarked James Haggerty, the chairman of the commission that wrote and proposed the charter. The first election for the new government was scheduled for 2011 – which ended up becoming an eventful year for Luzerne County.
From March to June of that year, the Borough ofDuryea received national attention for its role in the landmark Supreme Court caseBorough of Duryea v. Guarnieri, in which the court stated that "a government employer's allegedly retaliatory actions against an employee do not give rise to liability under the Petition Clause unless the employee's petition relates to a matter of public concern."[42]
The second major event occurred in September 2011, when Luzerne County witnessed historical flooding fromTropical Storm Lee. The Susquehanna River reached a record high of 42.6 feet (13.0 meters) in Wilkes-Barre. The river topped the 40.9-foot (12.5-meter) level in flooding caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. However, unlike 1972, the levee system in Wilkes-Barre and several other communities held. Those municipalities without a levee system witnessed severe flooding.[43][44][45]
Thefirst general election forLuzerne County Council was held on November 8, making it the third and final consequential event of 2011. In the end, sixDemocrats, fourRepublicans, and oneindependent politician were elected.
The home rule charter took effect on January 2, 2012. The Luzerne CountyBoard of Commissioners was abolished and replaced with the new form of government (council–manager government). The last three commissioners were ChairwomanMaryanne Petrilla,Stephen A. Urban, and Thomas Cooney. The first eleven council members were sworn in that same day. According to the charter, thecouncil chair is "recognized ashead of the county government for ceremonial purposes."[46] The first council chair was Jim Bobeck.[47] During the first council meeting, Tom Pribula was appointedinterimcounty manager.[48] Several weeks later, the council officially appointed the first permanent manager (Robert Lawton).[49]
During the2019 county council election, Republicans secured a majority on the county's governing board for the first time since 1989.[50]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 890 square miles (2,300 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2), or 1.8%, is water.[51] The highest point in the county isCherry Ridge inFairmount Township. The ridge is 2,460 feet (750 m) above sea level.[52] The lowest point, of about 512 feet (156 m), can be found nearShickshinny.[53]
Luzerne County consists of 76 independently governingmunicipalities (which includes 4cities, 36boroughs, and 36townships).Wilkes-Barre is the largest city; it has a total area of 7.2 square miles (19 km2).Pittston, with a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), is the smallest city.Harveys Lake is the largest borough; it has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16 km2).Jeddo, with a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), is the smallest borough.Bear Creek is the largest township; it has a total area of 67.8 square miles (176 km2).Wilkes-Barre Township, with a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2), is the smallest.
TheWyoming Valley, also referred to as theAnthracite Valley Section of Pennsylvania, runs directly through Luzerne County. It extends from the northeastern border (withLackawanna County) to the western border (withColumbia County). The valley is flat (at theSusquehanna Basin) and rises from 512 to 2,000 feet (156 to 610 m) in some places. Bear Creek, on the eastern side of the valley, has a mean elevation of about 2,000 feet (610 m), while Shickshinny, on the Susquehanna Basin, is about 512 feet (156 m). The county is crossed by a series of east-to-west mountains (e.g.,Buck Mountain,Nescopeck Mountain,Penobscot Knob, andRed Rock Mountain). They are all part of theAppalachian Mountain Range.
TheSusquehanna River is the largest river in the county. There are severalislands located within the river; for example, Scovell Island (near Pittston), Monocanock Island (nearWyoming), and Richard Island (near Wilkes-Barre). The Susquehanna drains most of the county (includingBowman Creek,Huntington Creek, theLackawanna River,Nescopeck Creek,Solomon Creek, and many other streams). TheLehigh River, which forms part of Luzerne County's southeastern border, drains the easternmost region. Dozens of lakes and ponds are also scattered throughout the county (e.g.,Harveys Lake,Lake Jean,Lake Louise, andLong Pond).
Luzerne County consists of several urban areas. The first is a contiguous quilt-work of former anthracite coal mining communities (including the cities of Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, andNanticoke). It is located in the northeastern and central part of the county (in the Wyoming Valley). The second isGreater Hazleton and it is located in the southern portion of the county. Other urban areas include theBack Mountain (in northern Luzerne County) andMountain Top (between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton). Thickforests and small farming communities are located just outside the urban centers.
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Luzerne County has ahumid continental climate (Köppen climate classificationDfa/mostlyDfb) with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold with a January average of 25.8 °F (−3.4 °C).[55] The surrounding mountains have an influence on the climate (which includes both precipitation and temperature). This results in a wide array of weather conditions throughout the county.[56] On average, temperatures below 0 °F (−17.8 °C) are infrequent, occurring three days per year, and there are 36 days where the maximum temperature remains below 32 °F (0.0 °C).[56] In the Wilkes-Barre area, the average annual snowfall is 46.2 inches (117 cm) during the winter (in which severe snowstorms are rare).[56] However, when snowstorms do occur, they can disrupt normal routines for several days.[56]
Summers are warm with a July average of 71.4 °F (21.9 °C).[55] In an average summer, temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32.2 °C) occur on nine days and can occasionally exceed 100 °F (37.8 °C).[57] Spring and fall are unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from cold to warm (although they are usually mild). On average, Wilkes-Barre receives 38.2 inches (970 mm) of precipitation each year, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year (though the summer months receive more precipitation).[57]
Extreme temperatures range from −21 °F (−29.4 °C) on January 21, 1994, to 103 °F (39.4 °C) on July 9, 1936.[57] Thehardiness zone is 6b in most lower areas except near the Susquehanna and Lackawanna Rivers where it is 7a, and it is 6a in higher areas.[58] Wilkes-Barre averages 2,303 hours of sunshine per year, ranging from a low of 96 hours in December (or 33% of possible sunshine) to 286 hours in July (or 62% of possible sunshine). Despite being at the south end of the county, Hazleton's temperatures average lower than those of the Wyoming Valley due to its elevation.
Climate data forWilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals,[c] extremes 1901–present[d]) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 76 (24) | 85 (29) | 93 (34) | 93 (34) | 99 (37) | 103 (39) | 102 (39) | 100 (38) | 91 (33) | 81 (27) | 71 (22) | 103 (39) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 57.7 (14.3) | 57.0 (13.9) | 68.0 (20.0) | 81.3 (27.4) | 88.0 (31.1) | 90.5 (32.5) | 92.8 (33.8) | 90.5 (32.5) | 87.6 (30.9) | 78.6 (25.9) | 69.1 (20.6) | 59.6 (15.3) | 94.3 (34.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 35.7 (2.1) | 38.8 (3.8) | 47.6 (8.7) | 61.1 (16.2) | 72.2 (22.3) | 79.9 (26.6) | 84.6 (29.2) | 82.4 (28.0) | 75.1 (23.9) | 63.1 (17.3) | 51.2 (10.7) | 40.3 (4.6) | 61.0 (16.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 38.3 (3.5) | 50.2 (10.1) | 60.9 (16.1) | 69.0 (20.6) | 73.7 (23.2) | 71.8 (22.1) | 64.6 (18.1) | 53.2 (11.8) | 42.7 (5.9) | 33.3 (0.7) | 51.3 (10.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 20.3 (−6.5) | 21.9 (−5.6) | 28.9 (−1.7) | 39.3 (4.1) | 49.6 (9.8) | 58.1 (14.5) | 62.7 (17.1) | 61.1 (16.2) | 54.0 (12.2) | 43.3 (6.3) | 34.3 (1.3) | 26.3 (−3.2) | 41.7 (5.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 0.6 (−17.4) | 3.6 (−15.8) | 11.0 (−11.7) | 24.7 (−4.1) | 34.7 (1.5) | 44.1 (6.7) | 50.9 (10.5) | 48.8 (9.3) | 38.7 (3.7) | 28.7 (−1.8) | 18.0 (−7.8) | 9.1 (−12.7) | −1.6 (−18.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −21 (−29) | −19 (−28) | −4 (−20) | 8 (−13) | 27 (−3) | 34 (1) | 43 (6) | 38 (3) | 29 (−2) | 19 (−7) | 5 (−15) | −13 (−25) | −21 (−29) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.59 (66) | 2.07 (53) | 2.77 (70) | 3.26 (83) | 3.26 (83) | 3.80 (97) | 3.61 (92) | 3.85 (98) | 4.15 (105) | 3.71 (94) | 2.85 (72) | 2.80 (71) | 38.72 (983) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 11.7 (30) | 10.9 (28) | 10.1 (26) | 0.8 (2.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.7 (1.8) | 3.2 (8.1) | 7.7 (20) | 45.1 (115) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 12.6 | 11.4 | 11.8 | 12.2 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 10.0 | 10.7 | 10.3 | 12.1 | 139.1 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 8.7 | 8.4 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 6.3 | 31.2 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 70.1 | 67.5 | 63.3 | 60.4 | 64.6 | 70.5 | 71.1 | 73.8 | 75.2 | 71.6 | 71.8 | 72.5 | 69.4 |
| Averagedew point °F (°C) | 16.2 (−8.8) | 17.2 (−8.2) | 24.4 (−4.2) | 33.1 (0.6) | 45.3 (7.4) | 55.9 (13.3) | 60.4 (15.8) | 59.9 (15.5) | 53.4 (11.9) | 41.4 (5.2) | 32.2 (0.1) | 22.3 (−5.4) | 38.5 (3.6) |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 130.3 | 143.7 | 185.7 | 210.5 | 246.9 | 269.7 | 285.7 | 257.2 | 200.2 | 173.3 | 104.3 | 95.9 | 2,303.4 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 44 | 48 | 50 | 53 | 55 | 60 | 62 | 60 | 54 | 50 | 35 | 33 | 52 |
| Source:NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1964–1990, sun 1961–1990)[57][55][60] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Hazleton, Luzerne County, PA | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 31.9 (−0.1) | 35.4 (1.9) | 44.1 (6.7) | 57.4 (14.1) | 68.1 (20.1) | 75.8 (24.3) | 79.7 (26.5) | 77.5 (25.3) | 70.8 (21.6) | 59.7 (15.4) | 47.8 (8.8) | 36.3 (2.4) | 57.1 (13.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 26.9 (−2.8) | 34.4 (1.3) | 46.7 (8.2) | 57.3 (14.1) | 65.6 (18.7) | 70.0 (21.1) | 68.1 (20.1) | 61.1 (16.2) | 49.8 (9.9) | 39.5 (4.2) | 28.5 (−1.9) | 47.7 (8.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.7 (−9.1) | 18.3 (−7.6) | 24.7 (−4.1) | 36.0 (2.2) | 46.6 (8.1) | 55.4 (13.0) | 60.4 (15.8) | 58.6 (14.8) | 51.4 (10.8) | 39.9 (4.4) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 38.3 (3.5) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.20 (81) | 2.90 (74) | 3.55 (90) | 4.43 (113) | 4.47 (114) | 5.19 (132) | 4.43 (113) | 4.34 (110) | 4.78 (121) | 4.49 (114) | 4.24 (108) | 3.71 (94) | 49.73 (1,263) |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 74.6 | 69.0 | 64.9 | 61.1 | 64.7 | 73.2 | 73.7 | 77.0 | 77.7 | 74.2 | 73.4 | 75.7 | 71.6 |
| Source: PRISM Climate Group[61] | |||||||||||||
Sceptridium dissectum is a common fern in the county.[62]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 4,892 | — | |
| 1800 | 12,839 | 162.4% | |
| 1810 | 18,109 | 41.0% | |
| 1820 | 20,027 | 10.6% | |
| 1830 | 27,379 | 36.7% | |
| 1840 | 44,006 | 60.7% | |
| 1850 | 56,072 | 27.4% | |
| 1860 | 90,244 | 60.9% | |
| 1870 | 160,915 | 78.3% | |
| 1880 | 133,065 | −17.3% | |
| 1890 | 201,203 | 51.2% | |
| 1900 | 257,121 | 27.8% | |
| 1910 | 343,186 | 33.5% | |
| 1920 | 390,991 | 13.9% | |
| 1930 | 445,109 | 13.8% | |
| 1940 | 441,518 | −0.8% | |
| 1950 | 392,241 | −11.2% | |
| 1960 | 346,972 | −11.5% | |
| 1970 | 342,301 | −1.3% | |
| 1980 | 343,079 | 0.2% | |
| 1990 | 328,149 | −4.4% | |
| 2000 | 319,255 | −2.7% | |
| 2010 | 320,918 | 0.5% | |
| 2020 | 325,594 | 1.5% | |
| Sources:[63][64][65][66] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county was 89.3% White, 6.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.4% Asian, and 2.0% were of two or more races. 13.8% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[68]
According to the2010 census, the county was 90.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.3% other race, and 1.5% were of two or more races. 6.7% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[69]
According to the census of 2000, there were 319,250 people, 130,687 households, and 84,293 families residing in the county. The population density was 358 inhabitants per square mile (138 inhabitants/km2). There were 144,686 housing units at an average density of 162 units per square mile (63 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 96.63% White, 1.69% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% other race, and 0.57% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino. 22.2% were ofPolish ancestry, 15.6% of Italian ancestry, 13.8% of Irish ancestry, 12.1% of German ancestry, and 5.3% ofSlovak ancestry. Luzerne County is the only county in the United States with aplurality of citizens reporting Polish as their primary ancestry;[70] the plurality of Pennsylvanians report German orPennsylvania Dutch.
There were 130,687 households, out of which 48.80% were married couples living together. 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present. 35.50% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals. 16% of those age 65 years and older lived alone. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population consisted of 21% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 24% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93 males. For every 100 females (age 18 and over), there were 89.50 males.
The median household income (in 2015 dollars) was $45,897. 15.1% of the population lives in poverty. 60.4% of those 16 years of age or older are in the civilian labor force. There are morewhite collar jobs in Luzerne County thanblue collar jobs. In total, there are 91,801 white collar jobs and 62,813 blue collar jobs.[71] The mean travel time to work (for those 16 years of age or older) was 22.1 minutes. In terms of education, 88.9% (of those 25 years of age or older) are high school graduates or higher. 21.4% (of those 25 years of age or older) have a bachelor's degree or higher. In terms of healthcare, 10.8% (for those under the age of 65) are living with a disability. As of 2015, 25,317veterans are living in Luzerne County.[72]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[73] | Pop 2010[74] | Pop 2020[75] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 306,528 | 283,058 | 250,304 | 96.02% | 88.20% | 76.88% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 5,202 | 9,539 | 14,031 | 1.63% | 2.97% | 4.31% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 248 | 280 | 295 | 0.08% | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,856 | 3,079 | 3,960 | 0.58% | 0.96% | 1.22% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 42 | 41 | 65 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 140 | 234 | 985 | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,521 | 3,196 | 9,056 | 0.48% | 1.00% | 2.78% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,713 | 21,491 | 46,898 | 1.16% | 6.70% | 14.40% |
| Total | 319,250 | 320,918 | 325,594 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The two major languages spoken in Luzerne County are English and Spanish. 5.8% of the population speaks Spanish at home.[76]
59.27% of the people in Luzerne County are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 43.77% areCatholic; 0.28% are LDS (orthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); 0.51% areBaptist; 0.55% areEpiscopalian; 1.05% arePentecostal; 3.11% areLutheran; 4.40% areMethodist; 1.95% arePresbyterian; 2.33% are of some other Christian faith; 0.78% are Jewish; 0.00% are of aneastern faith; and 0.51% practiceIslam.[77]
Penn State runs the Extensions in the state, includingin this County.[78] The office here is inWest Pittston.[78]
Grains,seeds,beans, andpeas make up about one third of the county'sfarm revenues.[79] Due to its position as a somewhat less populated area near much largermetropolises, Luzerne'sagritourism business is one of the larger in the state.[80]: 327
Through 2019 theSpotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was quarantined in neighboring counties, and there was tremendous concern that it would spread here.[81] This was considered to be inevitable.[81] In 2020 thestate Ag Department added the county to the SLFquarantine zone.[82] In October a homeowner noticed an adult on his housesiding and recognized it fromPenn State Extension's education campaign.[82] He reported it and the state began efforts in Luzerne.[82] An economic analysis for theGeneral Assembly shows the effects on the county's economy will be severe.[81][83][84]
Luzerne is both a productive farming county and acommuter location for nearby large cities.[85] As such farmland is often converted to otherreal estate uses, and the county has created the Luzerne Conservation District to encourageconservation.[85] The Luzerne CD runs the Farmland Preservation Program to encourage farmland to be set aside instead of turning it into construction and development.[85]
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is aninvasive weed here,[86] first known from 2001.[87] Kunkel & Chen 2022 find that, contrary to what has been found elsewhere, here it thrives in shaded habitats and is not helped by light exposure.[86]
Luzerne County voters rejectedhome rule proposals in the past (once in 1974 and again in 2003). However, from2008 to 2010, corruption plagued the county government. Three county judges, acounty commissioner, a clerk of courts, a deputy chief clerk, and a director of human resources faced criminal charges. These events persuaded the voters of Luzerne County to adopt a new form of government. On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, ahome rule charter was adopted by a margin of 51,413 to 41,639.[39][41]
The following year (in 2011), the firstelection for the new government was held. On Monday, January 2, 2012, the previous government (theboard of county commissioners) was abolished and replaced with the new form of government (council–manager government). The first members of theLuzerne County Council were sworn in that same day. The council's highest-ranking officer is the chair, who is also thehead of county government for ceremonial purposes. The first council chair was Jim Bobeck.[47] The assembly consists of eleven elected members. They appoint and work alongside a full-timemanager. The manager oversees the county's day-to-day operations. The first manager was Robert Lawton.[49]
Luzerne County Council is the governing body of the county. The council meets at theLuzerne County Courthouse. There are eleven members on the assembly – sevenRepublicans and fourDemocrats. Each member is duly elected by the voters of the county. The chair is appointed by their fellow council members. The chair is both the highest-ranking officer on the council and the head of county government for ceremonial purposes and sets the agenda for the council and administers the meetings.[46] When the group is not in session, the officer's duties often include acting as its representative to the outside world and its spokesperson. The current chair is John Lombardo.[88]
| Council member | Tenure | Party | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Lombardo | 2022–present | Republican | Chair |
| Brian Thornton | 2022–present | Republican | Vice Chair |
| Patty Krushnowski | 2024–present | Democratic | |
| Kevin Lescavage | 2022–present | Republican | |
| Lee Ann McDermott | 2020–present | Republican | |
| Joanna Bryn Smith | 2024–present | Democratic | |
| Jimmy Sabatino | 2024–present | Democratic | |
| Chris R. Perry | 2018–present | Republican | |
| Brittany Stephenson | 2024–present | Democratic | |
| Harry Haas | 2012–2022,[90] 2024–present | Republican | |
| Gregory S. Wolovich | 2022–present | Republican |
| Chair | Tenure | Party | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Bobeck | 2012 | Democratic | |
| 2 | Tim McGinley | 2012–2014 | Democratic | |
| 3 | Rick Morelli | 2014–2015 | Republican | |
| 4 | Linda McClosky Houck | 2015–2018 | Democratic | First female chair |
| 5 | Tim McGinley | 2018–2022 | Democratic | |
| 6 | Kendra Vough | 2022–2024 | Republican | |
| 7 | John Lombardo | 2024–present | Republican |
The executive branch is headed by the Luzerne County Manager. The manager supervises the county's day-to-day operations. According to the home rule charter, the manager "shall serve at the pleasure of county council."[46] In other words, the council has the power to appoint and remove the manager.[91] Each ordinance, resolution, and policy established by county council should be faithfully executed by the county manager. The manager may make recommendations to the council; however, the manager does not have the authority to vote on or veto any legislation originating from the assembly.[46] The current county manager is Romilda P. Crocamo.[92]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 92,444 | 59.10% | 62,504 | 39.96% | 1,484 | 0.95% |
| 2020 | 86,929 | 56.63% | 64,873 | 42.26% | 1,697 | 1.11% |
| 2016 | 78,688 | 57.90% | 52,451 | 38.60% | 4,762 | 3.50% |
| 2012 | 58,325 | 46.72% | 64,307 | 51.51% | 2,213 | 1.77% |
| 2008 | 61,127 | 44.96% | 72,492 | 53.32% | 2,349 | 1.73% |
| 2004 | 64,953 | 47.75% | 69,573 | 51.15% | 1,502 | 1.10% |
| 2000 | 52,328 | 43.76% | 62,199 | 52.01% | 5,059 | 4.23% |
| 1996 | 43,577 | 37.30% | 60,174 | 51.51% | 13,066 | 11.19% |
| 1992 | 49,285 | 38.76% | 56,623 | 44.53% | 21,238 | 16.70% |
| 1988 | 59,059 | 50.01% | 58,553 | 49.58% | 480 | 0.41% |
| 1984 | 69,169 | 53.50% | 58,482 | 45.23% | 1,640 | 1.27% |
| 1980 | 67,822 | 50.21% | 59,976 | 44.40% | 7,282 | 5.39% |
| 1976 | 60,058 | 44.16% | 74,655 | 54.89% | 1,296 | 0.95% |
| 1972 | 81,358 | 60.89% | 51,128 | 38.27% | 1,120 | 0.84% |
| 1968 | 57,044 | 39.79% | 79,040 | 55.13% | 7,296 | 5.09% |
| 1964 | 43,895 | 28.86% | 106,397 | 69.97% | 1,779 | 1.17% |
| 1960 | 70,711 | 40.58% | 102,998 | 59.10% | 562 | 0.32% |
| 1956 | 92,458 | 58.22% | 65,155 | 41.02% | 1,207 | 0.76% |
| 1952 | 88,967 | 54.83% | 72,579 | 44.73% | 715 | 0.44% |
| 1948 | 71,674 | 52.85% | 61,869 | 45.62% | 2,068 | 1.52% |
| 1944 | 67,984 | 47.81% | 73,674 | 51.81% | 541 | 0.38% |
| 1940 | 79,685 | 43.81% | 101,577 | 55.85% | 622 | 0.34% |
| 1936 | 81,572 | 43.26% | 105,008 | 55.68% | 1,997 | 1.06% |
| 1932 | 52,672 | 45.44% | 60,975 | 52.60% | 2,281 | 1.97% |
| 1928 | 67,872 | 48.00% | 73,319 | 51.85% | 220 | 0.16% |
| 1924 | 46,475 | 53.18% | 20,472 | 23.42% | 20,449 | 23.40% |
| 1920 | 49,419 | 65.39% | 23,473 | 31.06% | 2,683 | 3.55% |
| 1916 | 25,348 | 53.73% | 19,999 | 42.39% | 1,832 | 3.88% |
| 1912 | 4,970 | 12.02% | 13,461 | 32.56% | 22,907 | 55.41% |
| 1908 | 24,594 | 56.24% | 17,379 | 39.74% | 1,760 | 4.02% |
| 1904 | 27,809 | 64.83% | 13,518 | 31.51% | 1,568 | 3.66% |
| 1900 | 21,793 | 54.87% | 16,470 | 41.47% | 1,454 | 3.66% |
| 1896 | 22,718 | 55.08% | 17,305 | 41.95% | 1,225 | 2.97% |
| 1892 | 14,118 | 45.21% | 15,734 | 50.38% | 1,377 | 4.41% |
| 1888 | 15,543 | 49.25% | 15,218 | 48.22% | 797 | 2.53% |
| 1884 | 12,859 | 47.18% | 13,806 | 50.65% | 592 | 2.17% |
| 1880 | 11,028 | 45.94% | 12,575 | 52.38% | 403 | 1.68% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 87,048 | 56.17% | 64,495 | 41.61% | 3,442 | 2.22% |
As of September 23, 2024, there were 203,321 registered voters in Luzerne County.[95]
The Democratic Party has been historically dominant in county-level politics. However, during the2019 Luzerne County Council election, Republicans – for the first time – secured a majority on thecouncil, the county's governing body. Thomas Baldino, professor emeritus of political science atWilkes University, suspected that the 2019 Luzerne County Council election results were due to the trending Republican preference in the county (mostly due to then-President Trump's popularity in the region).[96][97] In 2024, Republicans took the lead in county voter registration.[98]
Duringpresidential elections, the county was considered abellwether of the state. Until 2020, it had voted for the presidential candidate who carried Pennsylvania in every election since1936. Luzerne County has leaned Democratic in past presidential elections; however, that trend has changed in recent years. During the2000 U.S. presidential election, DemocratAl Gore won 52% of the vote to RepublicanGeorge W. Bush's 44%. In2004, it was much closer, with DemocratJohn Kerry winning 51% to Republican George Bush's 48%. DemocratBarack Obama carried the county twice (once in2008, and again in2012). During the2016 presidential election, the county swung dramatically to RepublicanDonald Trump, who won it with 58% of the vote, the largest margin since PresidentRichard Nixon in1972. It was the first time a Republican presidential candidate carried the county since1988. Trump also won the county easily in2020[99] and2024.
Luzerne County has generally voted Republican inU.S. Senate elections. In2000,2004,2016,2018,2022, and2024, the Republican candidates for the Senate won the county. However, Democratic Senate candidates carried the county in2006 (with 60.6% of the vote),2010, and2012.
Democratic candidates forPennsylvania governor won Luzerne County in2002,2006 (with 67.5% of the vote),2014,2018, and2022. In recent years, the county voted for a Republican gubernatorial candidate only once (in2010).
Near the end of the2020 presidential election, ninemail-in ballots for the county were discovered in a trash can, several of which were cast for Trump. An investigation was started, and after several months it determined that the incident was accidental.[100] Trump used this controversy to attack the legitimacy of the election.[101] Later, in the 2022 midterm elections, another controversy occurred when an error caused severalvoting machines in the county to run out of paper.[100]
There are manyfire and police departments scattered throughout Luzerne County.[102] Each individual community (city, borough, and township) determines the boundaries of each department. The firefighters provide fire protection for its citizens. Most fire departments are headed by afire chief and are staffed by a combination of career andvolunteer firefighters.
The police provide full-time protection to its citizens, visitors, businesses, and public property. Most departments are headed by achief of police and operate out of their localmunicipal building. The Luzerne County Sheriff's Office operates out of Wilkes-Barre's Luzerne County Courthouse. Thesheriff is an official who is responsible for keeping the peace and enforcing the law throughout the county.[103]
After Luzerne County adopted ahome rule charter, the office of sheriff became an appointed position (and was no longer an elected one). ThePennsylvania State Police also have a presence in the county.Troop P operates out of the northern half of Luzerne County and is headquartered inHanover Township as PSP Wilkes-Barre. Troop P also has a barracks inSalem Township—PSP Shickshinny.Troop N operates out of the southern portion of the county and is headquartered inWest Hazleton as PSP Hazleton.
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School districts include:[104]
TheLuzerne County Library System includes the following locations:[106][107]
TheScranton/Wilkes-Barre area is the 55th-largest U.S. television market.[111] Local television stations[112] include:WNEP-TV (ABC affiliate),WBRE-TV (NBC affiliate),WYOU-TV (CBS affiliate),WVIA-TV (PBS affiliate),WOLF-TV (FOX affiliate),WQMY (MyNetworkTV affiliate),WSWB (CW affiliate),WQPX (Ion Television affiliate), andWYLN-LP (Youtoo TV affiliate).
Times Leader andThe Citizens' Voice are the two largest daily newspapers in the Wilkes-Barre area. Wilkes-Barre's radio market is ranked No. 69 byArbitron's ranking system. There are news, adult alternative, and music radio stations which are receivable in the area.
| Team name | League | Sport | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | Ice Hockey | Mohegan Sun Arena |
| Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | IL | Baseball | PNC Field |
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Luzerne County contains the second highest number of independently governing municipalities in the state of Pennsylvania, with 76; onlyAllegheny County has more.[113] Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities:cities,boroughs,townships, and, in the case ofBloomsburg,towns. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Luzerne County:
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by theU.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.
The population ranking of the following table is based on the2010 census of Luzerne County.[114]
†county seat
| Rank | City/Borough/Township | Municipal type | Population (2010 census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | †Wilkes-Barre | City | 41,498 |
| 2 | Hazleton | City | 25,340 |
| 3 | Kingston | Borough | 13,182 |
| 4 | Hanover Township | Township | 11,076 |
| 5 | Nanticoke | City | 10,465 |
| 6 | Plains Township | Township | 9,961 |
| 7 | Hazle Township | Township | 9,549 |
| 8 | Butler Township | Township | 9,221 |
| 9 | Dallas Township | Township | 8,994 |
| 10 | Pittston | City | 7,739 |
| 11 | Kingston Township | Township | 6,999 |
| 12 | Plymouth | Borough | 5,951 |
| 13 | Exeter | Borough | 5,652 |
| 14 | Wright Township | Township | 5,651 |
| 15 | Newport Township | Township | 5,374 |
| 16 | Swoyersville | Borough | 5,062 |
| 17 | Duryea | Borough | 4,917 |
| 18 | West Pittston | Borough | 4,868 |
| 19 | Edwardsville | Borough | 4,816 |
| 20 | Jackson Township | Township | 4,646 |
| 21 | West Hazleton | Borough | 4,594 |
| 22 | Fairview Township | Township | 4,520 |
| 23 | Larksville | Borough | 4,480 |
| 24 | Jenkins Township | Township | 4,442 |
| 25 | Salem Township | Township | 4,254 |
| 26 | Forty Fort | Borough | 4,214 |
| 27 | Sugarloaf Township | Township | 4,211 |
| 28 | Freeland | Borough | 3,531 |
| 29 | Lehman Township | Township | 3,508 |
| 30 | Foster Township | Township | 3,467 |
| 31 | Pittston Township | Township | 3,368 |
| 32 | Rice Township | Township | 3,335 |
| 33 | Wyoming | Borough | 3,073 |
| 34 | Wilkes-Barre Township | Township | 2,967 |
| 35 | Ross Township | Township | 2,937 |
| 36 | Luzerne | Borough | 2,845 |
| 37 | Dallas | Borough | 2,804 |
| 38 | Harveys Lake | Borough | 2,791 |
| 39 | Ashley | Borough | 2,790 |
| 40 | Bear Creek Township | Township | 2,774 |
| 41 | West Wyoming | Borough | 2,725 |
| 42 | Dupont | Borough | 2,711 |
| 43 | Avoca | Borough | 2,661 |
| 44 | Hunlock Township | Township | 2,443 |
| 45 | Exeter Township | Township | 2,378 |
| 46 | Huntington Township | Township | 2,244 |
| 47 | Dorrance Township | Township | 2,188 |
| 48 | Lake Township | Township | 2,049 |
| 49 | Union Township | Township | 2,042 |
| 50 | Black Creek Township | Township | 2,016 |
| 51 | Conyngham | Borough | 1,914 |
| 52 | Plymouth Township | Township | 1,812 |
| 53 | Franklin Township | Township | 1,757 |
| 54 | Nescopeck | Borough | 1,583 |
| 55 | Laflin | Borough | 1,487 |
| 56 | Conyngham Township | Township | 1,453 |
| 57 | Hughestown | Borough | 1,392 |
| 58 | Fairmount Township | Township | 1,276 |
| 59 | Hollenback Township | Township | 1,196 |
| 60 | Nescopeck Township | Township | 1,155 |
| 61 | Dennison Township | Township | 1,125 |
| 62 | Slocum Township | Township | 1,115 |
| 63 | White Haven | Borough | 1,097 |
| 64 | Sugar Notch | Borough | 989 |
| 65 | Pringle | Borough | 979 |
| 66 | Shickshinny | Borough | 838 |
| 67 | Courtdale | Borough | 732 |
| 68 | Nuangola | Borough | 679 |
| 69 | Yatesville | Borough | 607 |
| 70 | Warrior Run | Borough | 584 |
| 71 | Laurel Run | Borough | 500 |
| 72 | Buck Township | Township | 435 |
| 73 | Penn Lake Park | Borough | 308 |
| 74 | Bear Creek Village | Borough | 257 |
| 75 | New Columbus | Borough | 227 |
| 76 | Jeddo | Borough | 98 |
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