Luzerne County

As of the most recent data, Luzerne County, PA has a population of approximately 325,000. The racial composition is: White (89.1%), Black or African American (3.5%), Asian (1.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (10.6%). Median household income is around $50,000, with a 13% poverty rate. The age distribution is 20.4% under 18, 63.1% between 18-64, and 16.5% over 65. Education level shows 88% high school graduates and 22% with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The gender distribution is nearly even with 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

Luzerne County, PA, has a median home value of approximately $130,000 as of 2023. The median rent is around $900 per month. Homeownership rate is about 69.5%. Housing units total approximately 150,000, with a vacancy rate of around 12%. The average household size is 2.4 people. Housing costs typically consume about 23% of a household's income.

Luzerne County, PA, holds various elections including municipal, state, and federal levels. Voter turnout typically ranges between 20-60%, depending on the election type. For example, the 2020 Presidential election saw around a 70% turnout.

In county elections, seats in the County Council, the District Attorney, and other local offices are contested. Key candidates for recent elections include:

• County Council: Multiple seats, candidates often vary each cycle.
• District Attorney: In the 2021 election, candidates were Sam Sanguedolce (R) and Debra Judge (D).

For state-level offices including State Representatives and State Senators, incumbents and challengers vary. Federal elections include U.S. House Representatives; for example:

• 2022: U.S. House, PA-8th District had Matt Cartwright (D) vs. Jim Bognet (R).

Voter registration and absentee ballot information can be found on the Luzerne County Election Bureau's website.

As of the most recent data, Luzerne County, PA, shows the following educational attainment:

• High school diploma or higher: approximately 89.6% of residents aged 25 and older.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: about 21.9%.

In comparison, the national averages are:

• High school diploma or higher: 88.5%,
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 32.1%.

For Pennsylvania as a whole:

• High school diploma or higher: 90.6%.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 31.4%.

Luzerne County’s high school graduation rate is slightly above the national average but falls short of the state average. The percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher is notably lower than both the national and state averages. This indicates an educational attainment gap in higher education in Luzerne County compared to broader benchmarks.

As of recent data, Luzerne County, PA, has an approximate labor force of 160,000 people with an unemployment rate around 6%, higher than Pennsylvania's average of 4.7% and the national average of 5.4%. Key industries in Luzerne County include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Healthcare and social assistance employ around 20% of the county's workforce, which is consistent with national trends. Retail trade represents about 15%, slightly above the national average. Manufacturing employs approximately 10% of the workforce, higher than both the state and national averages, which hover around 8%. These figures highlight Luzerne County's strong manufacturing presence, and its robust healthcare and retail sectors compared to state and national benchmarks.

As of the latest data, Luzerne County, PA has an average household income of around $59,942. This figure is below both the Pennsylvania state average, which stands at approximately $70,333, and the national average of around $68,703. Notably, Luzerne County's income levels reflect the economic challenges of the region, contrasted with somewhat higher state and national averages. The following table summarizes the key statistics:

Luzerne County's income data indicates a modest economic standing compared to broader state and national figures, highlighting regional disparities in economic prosperity.

As of the latest data available, Luzerne County, PA has experienced varying crime rates in different categories. Below is a summary of the crime rates per 100,000 residents for selected crimes:

Violent crimes, including homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults, are fewer compared to the national average. Conversely, property crimes are more prevalent. Note that these figures can vary annually and should be checked with local law enforcement or updated crime reports for the most current data.