Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

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Luzerne County
U.S. county
County of Luzerne
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Coordinates:
Country	United States
Seat	Wilkes-Barre
Area
• Total	906 sq mi (2,350 km2)
• Land	890 sq mi (2,300 km2)
• Water	16 sq mi (40 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	325,594
• Density	360/sq mi (140/km2)
Website	www.luzernecounty.org

[[Category:{{{state}}} counties]]

Luzerne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 325,594. The county seat and largest city is Wilkes-Barre. The county was established on September 25, 1786, from part of Northumberland County.

History

Luzerne County was originally part of Northumberland County. It was named after Chevalier de la Luzerne, a French diplomat who served as an ambassador to the United States during the American Revolution. The county played a significant role in the Anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania, which was a major coal mining area in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geography

Luzerne County covers an area of 906 square miles, of which 890 square miles is land and 16 square miles is water. The county is part of the Wyoming Valley and is drained by the Susquehanna River. It is bordered by Lackawanna County to the north, Monroe County to the east, Carbon County to the southeast, Schuylkill County to the south, Columbia County to the west, and Sullivan County to the northwest.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Luzerne County had a population of 325,594. The county has a diverse population with a mix of urban and rural communities. The largest city and county seat is Wilkes-Barre, which is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Economy

Historically, Luzerne County's economy was dominated by the coal mining industry. Today, the economy is more diversified, with sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail playing significant roles. Major employers in the county include Geisinger Health System, Wilkes University, and King's College.

Education

Luzerne County is home to several institutions of higher education, including Wilkes University, King's College, and Luzerne County Community College. The county also has numerous public school districts and private schools.

Government

Luzerne County operates under a home rule charter, which was adopted in 2012. The county government is led by an elected county council and a county manager. The county seat is located in Wilkes-Barre.

Transportation

Luzerne County is served by several major highways, including Interstate 81, Interstate 80, and Interstate 476. The county also has a public transportation system operated by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority.

Communities

Luzerne County includes several cities, boroughs, townships, and unincorporated communities. The largest city is Wilkes-Barre, followed by Hazleton and Nanticoke.

Notable People

• David Bohm, theoretical physicist
• Joe Biden, 46th President of the United States, has familial roots in the county

See also

• List of counties in Pennsylvania
• Wyoming Valley
• Anthracite Coal Region

External links

• Luzerne County official website