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Detailed pages on related topics: Wilkes Barre colleges • Wilkes Barre travel • Wilkes Barre apartments and mortgage.
Wilkes-Barre is situated in Wyoming Valley in Luzerne County. It's located in Northeastern Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains and the Endless Mountains. The Susquehanna River runs through the valley. Planters Peanuts was founded in the city.
The original inhabitants were the Shawwanese and Delaware Indians. In 1769 John Durkee and his party were the first settlers to arrive. The town was named in tribute to John Wilkes and Isaac Barre, who were members of the British Parliament and offered support to colonial America. The original settlers were loyal to the state of Connecticut during a land dispute with the officials of Pennsylvania. The Pennamite Wars involved citizens of Pennsylvania attempting to force out the citizens of Wilkes-Barre. After the American Revolution ended it was decided that the settlers could retain ownership of their acreage by giving their allegiance to the state of Pennsylvania.
Hundreds of thousands of people arrived looking for work in mines after anthracite coal was discovered in the 1800's. Wilkes-Barre became known as the Diamond City. However the vast majority of the coal companies left after World War II was over.
Wilkes University, King's College, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County Community College are nearby.
The city is served by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Bus services are provided by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority.
The Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs offers casino gambling and features a harness racing track. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees baseball team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team and the Wilkes-Barre /Scranton Pioneers arena football team are popular with the residents. The Pocono International Raceway is nearby. The Kirby Center for the Performing Arts is a popular venue. Residents and visitors enjoy music performed by the Wyoming Valley Band, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Choral Society.
For nightlife, the Cafe Metropolis offers noteworthy music concerts. The Penn State Wilkes-Barre Arts at Hayfield, Fine Arts Fiesta and the Hayfield Poetry Festival are popular events. Skiing and snow boarding opportunities are available at Montage Mountain. Golfing enthusiasts enjoy the beautiful Wilkes-Barre Golf Club. The Susquehanna River Watch Rails with Trails is a notable location for bicycle riding, horseback riding, walking and other activities.
Wilkes Barre strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Low Property Crime (vs. Peers) | Top 2% |  |
| Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers) | Top 3% | |
| Low Violent Crime (vs. Peers) | Top 4% | |
| Short Commute Times (vs. State) | Top 11% | |
| Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers) | Top 14% | |
| Racial Diversity (vs. State) | Top 16% | |
Comparing Wilkes Barre to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizens | |  |
| Age of the Population |  |  |
| Female Share of the Population |  |  |
| Male Share of the Population | |  |
| Well-Paid Single Men |  | |
| Racial Diversity |  | |
| Children Under 5 Years Old | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Average Household Size | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Above Poverty | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| College Educated Adults | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Living Alone | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Property Crime | | |
| Low Violent Crime | | |
Detailed pages on related topics: Wilkes Barre colleges • Wilkes Barre travel • Wilkes Barre apartments and mortgage.
 | Wilkes Barre Colleges Wilkes Barre colleges and trade schools. |
 | Wilkes Barre Hotels & Travel Wilkes Barre hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Wilkes Barre Mortgage Wilkes Barre property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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