Lackawanna County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It lies at the northern edge of the Coal Region, northwest of the Poconos. It was created on August 13, 1878 from part of Luzerne County and is Pennsylvania's most recently established county. It is named for the Lackawanna River. The county has a population of 213,295 as of 2000 and its county seat is Scranton.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 465 square miles (1,203 km²), of which, 459 square miles (1,188 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15 km²) of it (1.27%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Susquehanna County (north)
• Wayne County (east)
• Monroe County (southeast)
• Luzerne County (southwest)
• Wyoming County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile (180/km²). There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 per square mile (80/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.65% White, 1.31% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 1.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.5% were of Italian, 21.2% Irish, 15.4% Polish and 10.2% German ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 86,218 households out of which 27.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.40 males.

Municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, Unincorporated communities in Pennsylvania, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lackawanna County:

Cities

• Carbondale
• Scranton

Boroughs

Archbald Blakely Clarks Green Clarks Summit Dalton Dickson City Dunmore Jermyn Jessup	Mayfield Moosic Moscow Old Forge Olyphant Taylor Throop Vandling

Townships

Abington Township Benton Township Carbondale Township Clifton Township Covington Township Elmhurst Township Fell Township Glenburn Township Greenfield Township Jefferson Township La Plume Township	Madison Township Newton Township North Abington Township Ransom Township Roaring Brook Township Scott Township South Abington Township Spring Brook Township Thornhurst Township West Abington Township

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

• Glenburn
• Mount Cobb

Education

Colleges and universities

• Baptist Bible College
• Johnson College
• Keystone College
• Lackawanna College
• Marywood University
• Penn State Worthington Scranton
• University of Scranton

Public School Districts

• Abington Heights School District
• Carbondale Area School District
• Dunmore School District
• Forest City Regional School District (also in Susquehanna and Wayne Counties)
• Lackawanna Trail School District (also in Wyoming County)
• Lakeland School District
• Mid Valley School District
• North Pocono School District (also in Wayne County)
• Old Forge School District
• Riverside School District
• Scranton School District
• Valley View School District

References