Scranton, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Scranton

City

Downtown Scranton

Scranton Iron Furnaces

Lackawanna Coal Mine

Everhart Museum

Lackawanna County Children's Library

Courthouse Square

Flag

Nicknames:

The Electric City, The All America City, Steamtown

Motto(s):

Embracing Our People, Our Traditions and Our Future

Anthem: "Hail, Pennsylvania!"

Scranton

Location in Pennsylvania

Scranton

Location in the United States

Country

Region

Greater Scranton

Incorporated (borough)

February 14, 1856

Incorporated (city)

April 23, 1866

Named for

George W. Scranton

Government

• Type

Mayor-Council

• Body

Scranton City Council

Area

• City

25.54 sq mi (66.14 km²)

• Land

25.31 sq mi (65.55 km²)

• Water

0.23 sq mi (0.60 km²)

• Metro

1,777 sq mi (4,602 km²)

Elevation

745 ft (227 m)

Population

(2020)

• City

76,328

• Density

3,015.96/sq mi (1,164.49/km²)

• Urban

366,713 (US: 113th)

• Urban density

2,261.4/sq mi (873.1/km²)

• Metro

567,559 (US: 100th)

Demonym(s)

Scrantonian/Scrantonite

• Summer (DST)

18447, 18501–18505, 18507–18510, 18512, 18514–18515, 18517–18519, 18522, 18540, 18577

Area code(s)

570 and 272

FIPS code

42-69000

GNIS feature ID

634293

Scranton is a city in Pennsylvania, United States. It is the main city in Lackawanna County. In 2020, about 76,328 people lived here. This makes Scranton the largest city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is also the sixth-most populated city in the whole state.

Scranton is part of a larger area called the Wyoming Valley metropolitan area. This area has over half a million people. Scranton is known as the cultural and economic heart of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This region has more than 1.3 million residents.

The city is split into nine unofficial areas. These include North Scranton, Southside, and Green Ridge. Scranton is also a key city in the Lackawanna River valley. It was once a major center for anthracite coal mining. Other nearby mining towns include Wilkes-Barre and Carbondale.

Scranton became a borough in 1856 and a city in 1866. It grew quickly because of mining and railroads. Many immigrants moved here for work. The city got its nickname, "Electric City," in 1880. This was when electric lights were first used at the Dickson Manufacturing Company. Six years later, the first electric streetcars in the U.S. started running here.

Scranton's industries and population grew a lot until the 1940s. After World War II, people started using less coal. This hurt the city's economy and the railroad industry. The Knox Mine disaster in 1959 pretty much ended coal mining in the area. Scranton's population went down for many years. Today, the city focuses on health care, education, tourism, and manufacturing.

Scranton is about 56 miles (90 km) north of Allentown. It is also about 99 miles (159 km) west of New York City.

A Look Back: Scranton's History

Early Settlers and Growth

In 1778, the first known white settler, Isaac Tripp, built his home in what is now North Scranton. More settlers came from Connecticut Colony later. They built mills and small businesses. This area became known as Slocum Hollow. These early settlers had a different accent and way of life than most people in Pennsylvania.

The city grew fast in the 1800s because of iron and steel. In the 1840s, brothers Selden T. and George W. Scranton started a company. It became the Lackawanna Iron & Coal company. They made iron nails at first. Then they started making rails for the growing railroads. This company became very important for building railroads across the country.

The Lackawanna Valley, a painting from 1855 showing Scranton and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.

A map of Scranton from 1890.

The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad yards in Scranton around 1895.

In 1851, the Scrantons built the Lackawanna and Western Railroad. This helped them move their iron products. They also invested in coal mining to power their steel factories. In 1856, they expanded the railroad to New York City. This railroad, with its main hub in Scranton, was the city's biggest employer for almost 100 years.

Becoming a City and the "Electric City" Nickname

Scranton officially became a borough in 1856. It became a city in 1866. This happened when nearby towns like Hyde Park and Providence joined with Scranton. In 1878, Lackawanna County was created, and Scranton became its county seat.

The city's nickname, "The Electric City," started in 1886. This was when the first electric streetcar system in the United States began running here. It ran continuously, meaning it never stopped working. By 1890, other railroads also built lines to Scranton. They wanted to use the rich coal supply in the area.

Mining and Workers' Lives

As the railroads grew above ground, a huge network of tunnels grew underground. These tunnels were for mining coal. Miners often worked long hours for low pay. Their working conditions were not safe. Children as young as eight or nine years old worked in the coal breakers. They separated slate from coal for 14 hours a day. Many workers were forced to live in company-owned houses. They also had to buy food from stores owned by the coal companies.

By 1900, Scranton had over 100,000 people. The city was booming with coal mining and steel production. The Lackawanna Steel Company was one of the largest steel plants in the U.S.

Changes in the 20th Century

Washington Avenue in Scranton, 1907.

A burning culm dump around 1908.

Scranton's old post office in 1911.

City Hall and Soldiers Monument, around 1919.

The Globe Store in 1978.

The Historic Electric City sign, restored in 2008.

In the early 1900s, the Lackawanna Steel Company moved to New York. This was because the local iron supply was running low. But Scranton kept going as the center of the coal industry. Many immigrants from Italy and Eastern Europe moved to Scranton. They brought their own cultures and religions. Many Catholic and Orthodox churches were built during this time. A large Jewish community also grew here.

Mining underground caused problems. Sometimes, the land above the mines would collapse. This damaged homes and schools. In 1913, a law was passed to help protect the city from these collapses.

After World War II, coal was used less for heating. People started using oil and natural gas instead. This caused Scranton's economy and population to shrink. The Knox Mine Disaster in 1959 was a big blow. The Susquehanna River flooded the mines, which mostly ended coal mining in the area.

By the 1970s, many downtown shops and theaters were empty. People started shopping in suburban malls. But since the mid-1980s, Scranton has been working to bring new life to the city. Old buildings have been fixed up and turned into tourist spots.

Scranton Today: A Revitalized City

In recent years, Scranton has seen many positive changes. New coffee shops, restaurants, and bars have opened downtown. The city is becoming more walkable and has affordable living. Many young people who grew up in Scranton are now moving back. They are helping to restore old buildings.

Scranton is also home to fun attractions. These include the Montage Mountain Ski Resort for skiing. There are also sports teams like the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (hockey) and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (baseball). The Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain hosts many concerts.

In 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant. This plant makes artillery shells used by Ukraine.

Scranton's Location and Weather

Scranton covers about 25.4 square miles (66 km²). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. The Lackawanna River flows through the city.

Downtown Scranton is about 750 feet (229 meters) above sea level. But the city is hilly, so some parts are much higher. Mountains on the east and west sides of the city are even taller, reaching up to 2,100 feet (640 meters).

Scranton has four clear seasons. Summers can be hot, sometimes reaching over 90°F (32°C). Winters can be cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below 0°F (-18°C). It rains or snows about 10 to 13 days each month. Snowfall changes each winter, but it averages about 45 inches (114 cm) per year.

Who Lives in Scranton?

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	2,730	—
1860	9,223	237.8%
1870	35,092	280.5%
1880	45,850	30.7%
1890	75,215	64.0%
1900	102,026	35.6%
1910	129,867	27.3%
1920	137,783	6.1%
1930	143,433	4.1%
1940	140,404	−2.1%
1950	125,536	−10.6%
1960	111,443	−11.2%
1970	103,564	−7.1%
1980	88,117	−14.9%
1990	81,805	−7.2%
2000	76,415	−6.6%
2010	76,089	−0.4%
2020	76,328	0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 2018 Estimate 2020

In 2020, Scranton had 76,328 people. Most people living in Scranton are White (83.1%). The city also has African American (5.9%), Asian (4.7%), and other racial groups. About 14.8% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

The largest ancestry group in Scranton is Irish, making up 26.5% of the population. The average age in Scranton is 39 years old.

Fun Things to Do in Scranton

Landmarks and Attractions to Explore

Steamtown National Historic Site shows off old steam trains. You can even take a train ride!

Scranton has many places to visit that show its history. The Scranton Iron Furnaces are old remains of the city's first big industry. The Steamtown National Historic Site teaches about the history of railroads. You can see old trains and even take a ride. The Electric City Trolley Museum has old streetcars. You can ride them from downtown Scranton to PNC Field.

The Lackawanna Coal Mine tour is inside a real old mine. It teaches you about coal mining in the area. The old train station is now the beautiful Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel.

Other museums include the Everhart Museum in Nay Aug Park. It has exhibits on nature, science, and art. The Houdini Museum shows off magic tricks and exhibits about the famous magician Houdini. The Tripp House, built in 1771, is the oldest building in the city.

Festivals and Traditions

Scranton celebrates its diverse cultures with festivals. La Festa Italiana is a three-day Italian festival. It happens every year on Labor Day weekend.

The city also has a very large Irish population. They celebrate with the annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade. This parade started in 1862. It is one of the biggest in the country. More than 8,000 people join the parade. It includes floats, bagpipes, and high school bands.

Parks and Entertainment

For outdoor fun, there's Montage Mountain Ski Resort. It's a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. The Steamtown Marathon is a long-distance race held every October. It finishes in downtown Scranton.

Nay Aug Park is the biggest park in Scranton. It was designed by the same person who designed Central Park in New York City. The city also has many art groups. The Scranton Fringe Festival is a performing arts festival held downtown in the fall.

The main place for concerts is the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. It's a large outdoor theater that can hold 17,500 people. It hosts many famous musicians. The Scranton Cultural Center is a beautiful building that hosts plays and concerts.

Libraries for Learning

The Lackawanna County Library System runs Scranton's libraries. These include the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna County Children's Library. These libraries serve over 96,000 people. They have many books and resources for everyone.

Sports Teams in Scranton

Scranton has a long history with sports. Professional baseball started here in 1887.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are a professional baseball team. They play their games at PNC Field just south of Scranton. They are part of the International League.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are a professional ice hockey team. They started playing in 1999. They are part of the American Hockey League.
The Electric City Shock SC is a semi-professional soccer team. They play at the University of Scranton's Fitzpatrick Field.

Scranton has also had professional basketball teams in the past. Famous coach Jim Boeheim played for the Scranton Miners.

Learning in Scranton

Schools for All Ages

The Scranton School District runs the public schools. It serves almost 10,000 students.

There are two public high schools: Scranton High School and West Scranton High School.
There are three public middle schools.
There are 12 public elementary schools.

Scranton also has private schools. These include Scranton Preparatory School, a private Jesuit school. Holy Cross High School is a Catholic high school nearby. The Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Colleges and Universities

Scranton is home to several colleges and universities:

The University of Scranton
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Johnson College
Lackawanna College
Marywood University

Pennsylvania State University also has a campus nearby, called Penn State Scranton.

News and Media

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area has many local TV stations. These include channels for ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, MyNetworkTV, and The CW.

Scranton is where Times-Shamrock Communications is based. This company publishes the city's main newspaper, The Times-Tribune. They also publish Electric City, a weekly entertainment newspaper.

You can also find other local newspapers and student newspapers from the universities. Scranton also has many local radio stations.

Getting Around Scranton

Roads and Highways

Many major highways serve Scranton. Interstate 81 goes north to New York and south to Harrisburg. Interstate 84 goes east to New England. Interstate 380 goes southeast towards New York City. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension goes south to Allentown and Philadelphia.

Buses for Public Transport

The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) provides public bus service. COLTS buses travel throughout the city and to nearby towns. Other bus companies like Martz Trailways and Greyhound Lines offer longer trips. You can take these buses to New York City and Philadelphia.

Trains and Rail Travel

Trains were very important for Scranton's growth. The city was a major hub for many railroad companies. Today, freight trains still use the rail lines in Scranton.

There are also special passenger trains for fun. The Steamtown National Historic Site and the Electric City Trolley Museum offer seasonal train rides. There are plans to bring back regular passenger train service from Scranton to Hoboken, New Jersey and New York City.

Taxis

You can call a taxi service in Scranton. You cannot usually wave down a taxi on the street like in bigger cities.

Keeping Scranton Safe

Fire Department

The Scranton Fire Department has about 142 firefighters. They have seven fire stations and many fire trucks. Their job is to keep the city safe from fires.

Police Department

The police department has 150 police officers. They patrol the city in cars, on bikes, and on foot. They also have special units like a bomb unit and a drone unit.