| City: | Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania |
| City Alias: | Bear Creek Township, Bear Crk Twp, City Of Wb, City Of Wilkes Barre, Hilldale, Hudson, Korn Krest, Plains, Plains Township, Plains Twp, Wilkes Barre Township, Wlks Barr Twp |
| County: | Luzerne County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 11:54:19 PM |
| Population: | 42,133 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 570 / 272 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 41.2262, -75.7881 |
| Land Area: | 78.087 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 18702 has 42,133 residents and 16,896 households (average 2.35 persons per household). The median age is 39.8 years, slightly younger than the state (41.0) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.7% male and 50.3% female, which is about the same as the state male share (48.9%). Largest groups are White (62.2%, much lower than the state average of 75.0%) and Hispanic or Latino (22.3%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 22.3%, which is much higher than the state average (8.1%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 42,133Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 42,120Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 41,884Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 539.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $54,892Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 16,896Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $115,700Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.35Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.67Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 41,513 | 41,121 | 41,119 | 40,814 | 40,023 | 39,618 | 39,594 | 39,841 | 40,090 | 40,105 | 42,772 | 42,768 | 42,120 |
| Decennial Census | 40,295 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 42,133 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 39.8
Male Median Age: 38.5
Female Median Age: 40.8
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,224 | 1,237 | 1,311 | 1,357 | 1,574 | 1,391 | 1,463 | 1,359 | 1,254 | 1,242 | 1,382 | 1,410 | 1,401 | 1,173 | 899 | 583 | 336 | 363 |
| Female | 1,093 | 1,173 | 1,162 | 1,231 | 1,372 | 1,424 | 1,426 | 1,411 | 1,310 | 1,168 | 1,288 | 1,445 | 1,401 | 1,188 | 1,005 | 717 | 576 | 784 |
| Total | 2,317 | 2,410 | 2,473 | 2,588 | 2,946 | 2,815 | 2,889 | 2,770 | 2,564 | 2,410 | 2,670 | 2,855 | 2,802 | 2,361 | 1,904 | 1,300 | 912 | 1,147 |
| White: | 26,216 | 55.19% |
| Black: | 5,872 | 12.36% |
| Hispanic:* | 9,413 | 19.82% |
| Asian: | 901 | 1.90% |
| American Indian: | 220 | 0.46% |
| Hawaiian: | 12 | 0.03% |
| Other: | 4,867 | 10.25% |
| Total: | 47,501 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 20,959 | 49.74% | 38.5 years |
| Females: | 21,174 | 50.26% | 40.8 years |
| Total: | 42,133 | 100% | 39.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 35,319 | 83.85% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 1,443 | 3.43% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 2,166 | 5.14% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 3,192 | 12.72% |
| Total Population: | 42,120 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 36,762 | 87.28% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 5,358 | 12.72% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $54,892, which is far less than the national median ($78,538), is up $19,122 (53.5%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $12,420. Family households earn a median of $67,178 versus $37,364 for nonfamily households (a difference of $29,814). By gender, male median income is $51,461 and female is $45,836, which is considerably lower than the state female median ($54,031), with a current gap of $5,625 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 61.4%, which is trails slightly the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 8.2%, which is much higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (31.5%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $35,770 | $36,076 | $37,212 | $37,524 | $35,886 | $36,745 | $37,966 | $40,916 | $42,472 | $46,926 | $48,213 | $53,294 | $54,892 |
| Median Family Income | $47,276 | $48,616 | $48,617 | $48,741 | $47,980 | $50,415 | $50,761 | $55,135 | $56,722 | $57,000 | $60,525 | $67,438 | $67,178 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $20,882 | $21,694 | $21,745 | $22,191 | $20,812 | $21,089 | $21,382 | $22,671 | $23,922 | $26,944 | $28,889 | $33,266 | $37,364 |
| Median Male Income | $40,060 | $40,428 | $40,377 | $40,768 | $41,267 | $40,877 | $41,552 | $43,441 | $43,873 | $44,233 | $45,741 | $51,437 | $51,461 |
| Median Female Income | $28,951 | $29,954 | $30,948 | $32,690 | $34,599 | $34,750 | $35,574 | $35,196 | $36,629 | $38,056 | $39,380 | $44,027 | $45,836 |
| Employed: | 19,410 | 56.19% |
| Unemployed: | 1,741 | 5.04% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 13,395 | 38.77% |
| Total: | 34,546 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 6,119 | 31.52% |
| Service: | 3,785 | 19.50% |
| Sales and Office: | 4,260 | 21.95% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,070 | 5.51% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 4,176 | 21.51% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 19,410 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $115,700, which is considerably lower than the national median ($303,400), is up $27,300 (30.88%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $27,800. The median gross rent is $971, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,348), is up $358 (58.40%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $160. Of occupied housing, owners make up 57.11% (53.94% with a mortgage, 46.06% free-and-clear) and renters 42.89% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 13.26%, which is considerably higher than the state rate (9.42%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $88,400 | $90,600 | $89,000 | $87,200 | $86,000 | $85,900 | $84,700 | $86,400 | $87,900 | $90,000 | $93,300 | $107,200 | $115,700 |
| Less than $500: | 1,197 | 16.30% |
| $500 to $999: | 2,430 | 33.09% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 2,601 | 35.42% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 476 | 6.48% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 76 | 1.03% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 13 | 0.18% |
| $3,000 or more: | 107 | 1.46% |
| No Rent: | 443 | 6.03% |
| Total: | 7,343 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $613 | $617 | $645 | $667 | $705 | $738 | $766 | $807 | $811 | $783 | $858 | $945 | $971 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 5,274 | 30.81% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 4,503 | 26.30% |
| Renter Occupied: | 7,343 | 42.89% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 17,120 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 17,120 | 86.74% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 2,618 | 13.26% |
| Total Housing Units: | 19,738 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 13,501 | 68.40% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 5,717 | 28.96% |
| Other Units: | 520 | 2.63% |
| Total Housing Units: | 19,738 | 100% |
In 2023, 23.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 87.30%, which is generally lower than the state rate (91.90%). The uninsured rate is 7.40%, which is notably higher than the state rate (5.60%). Public coverage is 45.90%, which is well above the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 14.80%, which is markedly above the state rate (8.10%), down 1.50 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.50 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (43.08%). College enrollment is 26.38%, which is on par with the state rate (27.30%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,424 | 4.87% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2,283 | 7.81% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 11,019 | 37.70% |
| Some college, no degree: | 4,942 | 16.91% |
| Associate's degree: | 2,826 | 9.67% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 4,130 | 14.13% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 2,606 | 8.92% |
| Total: | 29,230 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 25,523 | 87.32% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 6,736 | 23.04% |
| Private Insurance: | 24,708 | 53.27% |
| Public Insurance: | 18,662 | 40.24% |
| No Insurance: | 3,010 | 6.49% |
| Total: | 46,380 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 43,370 | 93.51% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 16.3% | 17.6% | 19.1% | 20.1% | 21.0% | 22.3% | 21.2% | 19.5% | 18.3% | 15.3% | 13.6% | 14.6% | 14.8% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 358 | 4.06% |
| Kindergarten: | 378 | 4.29% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3,796 | 43.08% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,955 | 22.19% |
| College or graduate school: | 2,325 | 26.38% |
| Total: | 8,812 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 736 | 8.35% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 6,129 | 69.55% |
ZIP Code 18702 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 1,142 business establishments, employing about 22,980 people with an annual payroll of $1,036,002,000. USPS data shows 17,823 residential mailboxes and 1,503 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 17,823Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1,503Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 19,286Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 14,977Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 1,764Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 1,142Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $251,230,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,036,002,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 22,980Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 18702 is located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, within the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 42540) and Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 567,887 people, about 7.42% of whom live in ZIP Code 18702. It covers 78.087 sq mi of land and a water area of 2.37 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 42540Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 567,887Source: Census |
| MSA: | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 78.087 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 2.37 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 08Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 706.93 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
ZIP Code 18702 is in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 6 public schools and 4 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.