Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 2,720, the 521st largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $39,257, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Luzerne borough Quick Facts
How Luzerne borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Luzerne borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
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Other Cities in Luzerne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre city | 44,217 | $47,970 | 21.1% | $108,000 |
| Hazleton city | 29,886 | $43,379 | 27.0% | $129,000 |
| Kingston borough | 13,333 | $53,885 | 19.3% | $164,200 |
| Nanticoke city | 10,610 | $60,340 | 17.7% | $103,800 |
| Pittston city | 7,618 | $47,525 | 22.7% | $114,900 |
| Plymouth borough | 5,761 | $42,348 | 21.4% | $85,400 |
| Exeter borough | 5,514 | $49,432 | 12.8% | $132,500 |
| West Hazleton borough | 5,156 | $46,968 | 24.4% | $108,800 |
| Duryea borough | 5,054 | $64,028 | 21.4% | $142,900 |
| Swoyersville borough | 5,014 | $67,558 | 9.7% | $137,000 |
Cities Similar to Luzerne borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery Rock University CDP | 2,724 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Homestead borough | 2,885 | $38,661 | $81,400 | 21.5% | 16.3% |
| Philipsburg borough | 2,754 | $44,282 | $151,700 | 21.4% | 15.0% |
| McAdoo borough | 2,617 | $45,239 | $84,800 | 14.4% | 16.5% |
| Union City borough | 2,911 | $42,754 | $101,000 | 12.1% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Luzerne borough is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Luzerne County. The total population is 2,720. It ranks as the 521st most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Luzerne borough is 50.1 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Luzerne borough is $39,257. This is 48% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 85% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $113,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Luzerne borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Luzerne borough has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 8.4%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania?
Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 2,720 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Luzerne borough, PA?
The median household income in Luzerne borough is $39,257, which is 50% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Luzerne borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Luzerne borough is 21.8%. This means approximately 593 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania?
Luzerne borough's population is 91.6% White, 1.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Luzerne borough, PA?
The median home value in Luzerne borough is $113,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Luzerne borough, Pennsylvania?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Luzerne borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.