Luzerne County
PA · Pop. 325,978 · Mixed County
Luzerne County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 890 square miles with 325,978 residents at a density of 366.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $164,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F and average winter lows of 16.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Wilkes - Barre General Hospital is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Wilkes - Barre General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 8.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 45.5 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 136-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.53% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Luzerne County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 1.53%
- Growing season
- 136 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.5"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Wilkes - Barre General Hospital, 8.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Luzerne County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Luzerne County?
- Luzerne County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F, and average winter lows of 16.5°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.53%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wilkes - Barre General Hospital is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 7 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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