Get to know NEPA! From its quiet, rural villages to its bustling small cities to its historic towns, our little corner of Pennsylvania offers something for everyone — whether it’s all about work, play or just having that place to call home. Follow along as we take a closer look at all of NEPA’s convenient, safe, affordable and family-friendly places to live.
Convenience and Small-Town Charm Combine in Luzerne County’s 3rd Largest City
The city of Nanticoke, less than 10 miles south of Wilkes-Barre, is a semi-urban community offering both city convenience and suburban neighborhoods. The city on the Susquehanna River serves as a gateway to NEPA’s rural western communities.
Nanticoke is buffered to the south by the Greater Mountain Top Area and features dozens of family-run restaurants and small businesses. It’s a safe, quiet community with easy access to several major interstates and proximity to nature. The city radiates outward from a classic Town Square into hilly suburban neighborhoods. Throughout the year, the greater Nanticoke community comes together at several, popular ethnic festivals and celebrations.
Nanticoke was first settled in the early 1800s and quickly grew into an influential NEPA community by the turn of the century. During the anthracite boom of the early to mid-20th century, Nanticoke saw several decades of massive population expansion. By 1926, the borough was officially incorporated as a city. And by the mid 1930s, Nanticoke was home to nearly 30,000 residents. The small, yet bustling city welcomed the railroad and coal industries alongside a diverse range of locally-grown businesses.
Today, the city lies within NEPA’s I-80/I-81 economic corridor with direct access to some of the region’s most successful industrial/business parks. Since 1967, Luzerne County Community College, on the city’s south end, has remained one of the county’s largest employers.
The city of Nanticoke offers a mix of convenience and quiet with safe, family-friendly neighborhoods. It’s situated between the Susquehanna River to the north and PA State Game Lands to the south. Nanticoke is home to Luzerne County Community College and dozens of small businesses, restaurants and several larger retail options.
Population: 10,628
Square Miles: 3.5
School District: Greater Nanticoke Area School District
Living in Nanticoke
Everything you need with easy access to all of NEPA.
Nanticoke is a commuter-friendly city. An easily navigable street grid and convenient access points to several major NEPA roadways and interstates keeps residents close to it all. The Nanticoke Fire Department, a combination full-time and volunteer fire/EMS service keeps the city safe alongside the Nanticoke Police Department. Several community parks dot the city landscape. Across the Nanticoke Bridge, Canal Park offers access to the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna Warrior Trail.
Housing in Nanticoke ranges from affordable single-family homes to multi-family duplexes and apartments. The city is served by the Greater Nanticoke Area School District consisting of a high school, middle school, elementary school and early childhood center. Commonwealth Health and Geisinger Health Systems operate outpatient offices and clinics within the city. The Luzerne County Transportation Authority provides reliable public bus transportation throughout Greater Nanticoke and connects it to larger areas like Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre.
Out & About in Nanticoke
The streets may be safe, friendly and quiet, but Nanticoke has so much more to offer. The Mill Memorial Library proves a popular family-friendly resource. And if you’re looking to get outdoors, you’ll find it all from fishing to mountain bike trails and so much more. Just don’t forget to fuel up at one of the many cafes, pizza joints, pubs and well-established restaurants.
