Wilkes-Barre,PA Neighborhood Guides
Neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre, PA – Data, Lifestyle & Local Insights
Neighborhood Map
Discovering the Charm of Wilkes-Barre Neighborhoods
Wilkes-Barre, PA is a city full of character and rich history, offering a variety of neighborhoods that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Whether you're looking for a lively urban vibe, family-friendly communities, or quiet residential streets, this city has something for everyone. Exploring the best neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre reveals a blend of cultural attractions, beautiful parks, and convenient amenities that make living here both enjoyable and practical.
Lifestyle Variety: What Different Areas Offer
When diving into Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods, you'll find areas like Downtown Wilkes-Barre that buzz with energy, featuring popular spots such as the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts and a variety of cozy cafes and restaurants like The Stone House. For those seeking a quieter environment, neighborhoods like Georgetown provide tree-lined streets with charming homes and access to local schools like Solomon Plains Elementary. Meanwhile, the Miners Mills area offers a suburban feel with parks like Kirby Park, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Each neighborhood caters to unique lifestyles, making it easy to find a place that fits your needs.
Crime, Safety & Neighborhood Stability
Safety is an important factor when considering the best neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre. Areas such as Laurel Run and Plymouth tend to have lower crime rates and are known for their strong community involvement and neighborhood watch programs. These neighborhoods often enjoy a stable housing market and are popular among families looking for secure environments. Conversely, some parts of the city are undergoing revitalization efforts to improve safety and amenities, reflecting a positive trend toward neighborhood stability across the city.
The Structure, Culture & Personality of the City’s Neighborhoods
Wilkes-Barre's neighborhoods each have their own distinct personality shaped by the city's industrial past and diverse population. The Heights neighborhood, for example, boasts a tight-knit community with a mix of historic homes and newer developments. Cultural spots like the F.M. Kirby Center and Wilkes University contribute to a vibrant arts scene, especially in areas close to campus. Meanwhile, neighborhoods such as East Mountain offer a more suburban and family-oriented atmosphere with local diners and community events that celebrate the city’s heritage.
Getting Around: Transit Information and Accessibility
Getting around Wilkes-Barre is convenient thanks to its accessible public transit options and roadways. The Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) provides bus routes connecting major neighborhoods, including Downtown, Plains, and Hanover Township, making daily commutes and errands manageable without a car. Additionally, the Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods map reveals a well-connected street grid that simplifies driving and biking. Proximity to major highways like I-81 also makes traveling outside the city easy for work or leisure.
What Are Some Things People Might Not Know About These Neighborhoods?
Many people might be surprised to learn about the hidden gems within Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods. For instance, the South Wilkes-Barre area hosts the annual "The Luzerne County Fair," a beloved community event with rides, food, and live entertainment. Also, the city's historic cemeteries and old mills tell stories of Wilkes-Barre’s coal mining past, adding a layer of intrigue to explorations. If you pull up a Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods map, you’ll notice how these culturally rich spots are scattered throughout the city, waiting to be discovered by locals and newcomers alike.
Wilkes-Barre Demographics
Best Neighborhoods
| Hood | Med. Age | Have Kids | Home Price | Med. Income | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Heights | 38.6 | 19.3% | $67,050 | $36,841 | 1.6 |
| Sherman Hills | 38.3 | 22.3% | $99,950 | $43,188 | 1.6 |
| Rolling Mill Hill | 32.9 | 35.4% | $99,717 | $58,336 | 1.9 |
| East End | 36 | 23.6% | $98,054 | $48,609 | 1.9 |
| Mayflower | 38.2 | 28.8% | $74,444 | $40,296 | 2.2 |
| South Wilkes-Barre | 35.3 | 30.3% | $95,043 | $52,107 | 2.4 |
| Parsons | 39.3 | 26.2% | $127,213 | $51,855 | 2.5 |
| Miners' Mills | 43.3 | 19% | $136,243 | $53,709 | 2.6 |
| Downtown | 32.4 | 18.1% | $122,067 | $35,069 | 3.6 |
| Iron Triangle | 34.8 | 27.7% | $121,600 | $29,485 | 4.7 |
Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods bring their own blend of lifestyle, affordability, and long-term appeal, and the data in the table above helps highlight what makes each area stand out. By comparing home prices, median income, average age, families with kids, and housing affordability ratios, you can quickly uncover the best neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre—those that balance cost, character, and overall livability. For budget-minded buyers, the table also makes it easy to identify the most affordable neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre, where lower home prices combined with local income levels create meaningful value. Families can use the children-per-household data to pinpoint the best neighborhoods for families, revealing which areas offer strong community connections and a family-friendly atmosphere. Meanwhile, adults looking for quieter, age-friendly surroundings can turn to neighborhoods with higher median ages to find the best neighborhoods for retirees, where comfort, stability, and an easy pace of living tend to define the local experience. This data-driven overview offers a clear starting point for understanding how each neighborhood aligns with the lifestyle you want.
Crime in Wilkes-Barre
| Crime |
Reported |
Wilkes-Barre /100k |
PA /100k |
National /100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 4 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 19 | 42.9 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 25 | 56.5 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 143 | 323.1 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Total Violent Crime | 191 | 432 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 73 | 165.0 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 567 | 1,281.2 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle Theft | 49 | 110.7 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Total Property Crime | 689 | 1,557 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
| TOTAL CRIME | 880 | 1,989 | 1,681 | 2,119 |