Signals
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre
Pottsville
Growth
41 · Bottom 35%
vs47 · Bottom 45%
Climate
63 · Bottom 41%
vs69 · Top 42%
Physical resilience
68 · Top 32%
vs64 · Top 39%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 32%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
54 · Bottom 16%
vs72 · Bottom 41%
Economic stability
46 · Bottom 43%
vs44 · Bottom 41%
Measured values
| Metric | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | Pottsville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,788 | 143,558 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,158 | $68,313 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,939 | $34,954 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 326/sq mi | 184/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $187,200 | $153,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,003 | $876 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.4% | 76.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.2% | 19.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 12.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 597 | 214 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.0 | 1.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -6.4% | 19.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 38.7" | 45.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 77 mi | 45 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.0 min | 29.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.1 | 43.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
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Scranton--Wilkes-Barre
61
Your Score
63
Area Score
Pottsville
66
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metro Area · Pottsville, PA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology