img
Change text size A

Write a Review About Wilkes Barre For A Chance to Win A $100 Amazon Gift Card

Back
Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania
Overall Rating
Star ratings are calculated by averaging a community’s percentile score for each individual category.

Read more

4.14 out of 5 stars
See detailed scores arrow-d-ic

Wilkes-Barre ( or ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Luzerne County. It is one of the principal cities in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Located at the center of the Wyoming Valley, it is second in size to the nearby city of Scranton. The Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census, making it the fourth-largest metro/statistical area in the state of Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the Pocono Mountains to the east, the Endless Mountains to the west, and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The Susquehanna River flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city.
Wilkes-Barre was founded in 1769 and formally incorporated in 1806. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century after the discovery of nearby coal reserves and the arrival of hundreds of thousands of immigrants who provided a labor force for the local mines. The coal mining fueled industrialization in the city, which reached the height of its prosperity in the first half of the 20th century. Its population peaked at more than 86,000. Following World War II, the city's economy declined due to the collapse of industry. The Knox Mine disaster accelerated this trend after large portions of the area's coal mines were flooded and could not be reopened. Today the city has a population of 40,569, making it the largest city in Luzerne County and the 13th-largest city in Pennsylvania.

Become a community envoy on AgeFriendly.com Claim this city
Would you recommend Wilkes Barre, PA
to your older friends and family?

reviews (14)

Neighborhoods
Sort by

Age friendly

Was this review helpful? 0

I think it is very fulfilling to be able to help out older people who don't have the family to do so or at least have the time.

Was this review helpful? 0

I love helping people!

Was this review helpful? 0

I grew up in a home ,were my mom started out as a RN , to nurse practitioner , now she's a doctor! I'm very interested in helping people!

Was this review helpful? 0

Transportation isn't bad

Was this review helpful? 0

Your photo has been submitted and will appear on the city page after Admin’s approval. Thanks!