Living in Greater Wilkes-Barre

Who says you can't have it all in life? Definitely not Greater Wilkes-Barre residents, because the plain fact is, if you live here, you're near or have easy access to just about everything modern America has to offer. We realize that's no small claim but we're ready to back it up.

Our county is situated within a 500-mile radius of approximately one-third of the nation's population. Yet, housing costs remain well below comparable northeast metropolitan areas.

A growing number of shopping, cultural and recreational facilities offer residents a variety of accessible away-from-work activities. These include ski resorts, nationally recognized golf courses, a nearby Triple A baseball team, an AHL hockey team and a harness racing track.

The county's abundant state and local parks are ideal for hiking and fishing. The Mohegan Sun Arena, the F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic further enrich the region's quality of life.

And, if you're concerned about education or healthcare - don't be. The Greater Wilkes-Barre Area has healthcare facilities and educational opportunities that rival the best in the country.

Wilkes-Barre Works…..

Nestled in the heart of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Luzerne County is located in the east-central region of Pennsylvania. It's three population centers - Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and Pittston - when combined with the nearby Berwick region, make up the largest population density in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Residents enjoy the convenience of direct access to Interstates 81 and 476 (the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike) which interconnects with nearby I-80, I-84 and I-380. This means you can be in downtown Philadelphia and New York City in 2 hours or less!

Wilkes-Barre Works Because We're Industrious:
-Five fully developed business parks
-Financial incentives including tax-free sites, grants and low interest
loans
-Home to Fairchild Semiconductor's 8-inch FAB plant.
-Headquarters of Intermetro Industries, the nation's largest commercial shelving company

Wilkes-Barre Works Because We're Accessible:
-Within 600 miles of more than 40% of the US population
-Within 2 1/2 hours of both New York City and Philadelphia
-I - 81, I - 476, I-80, I - 84 and I-380 within minutes
-Served by two Class 1 railroads

Wilkes-Barre Works Because We're Livable:
-Average commute time of 18 minutes
-Eleventh lowest crime rate in the country
-A wonderfully low cost of living
-Sixteen regional colleges and universities offer a wide variety of degree programs and specialized training to meet business needs.

Wilkes-Barre Works Because We're Energetic:
-42 public and private golf courses
-150 local and state parks
-18 Pocono Mountain ski resort areas
-A variety of cultural offerings