Lackawanna County
Geography
Lackawanna County is located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The county has a total area of 465 square miles, of which 459 square miles is land and 5.8 square miles is water. It is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the county seat is Scranton. The county is situated in the northeastern part of the state, bordered by Susquehanna County to the north, Wayne County to the east, Luzerne County to the south, and Wyoming County and Susquehanna County to the west.
History
Lackawanna County was created on August 13, 1878, from parts of Luzerne County. It was the last county to be formed in Pennsylvania. The county was named after the Lackawanna River, which means "the stream that forks" in the Delaware language. The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape tribe, who were later displaced by European settlers in the 18th century.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the population of Lackawanna County was 214,437. The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with a significant Hispanic and African American population. The county has a diverse age range, with a median age of 40.8 years.
Economy
Lackawanna County's economy is diverse, with major sectors including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail trade. The county is home to several notable companies, including The Hershey Company, PPL Corporation, and UGI Corporation. The county also benefits from its proximity to the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton metropolitan area, which provides additional economic opportunities.
Education
Lackawanna County is served by several school districts, including the Scranton School District, the largest in the county. The county is also home to several higher education institutions, including the University of Scranton, Lackawanna College, and Marywood University.
Government
Lackawanna County operates under a three-member Board of Commissioners. The county is part of Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district and is represented in the United States House of Representatives.
Transportation
Lackawanna County is served by several major highways, including Interstate 81, Interstate 84, and Interstate 380. The county is also served by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, providing commercial air service to the region.