Silver Lake Bank · National Register of Historic Places
Montrose’s story
214 years in pictures
The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 1862.
4 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1812Montrose is settled
MontrosePA
Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
1,275
2025 Census estimate · −1.5% since 2020
Typical home
$254K
+5.6% in a year
Household income
$53K
median
Median age
40.4
years
Jobs based here
829
A job hub
Is Montrose a good place to live?
Montrose’s best subject grades are an A+ for safety and history and an A for walkability; its weakest is a D for incomes. 25% of residents live below the poverty line in Montrose, where Pennsylvania’s towns sit at 7.6% and U.S. towns at 9.6%. On safety, just 2 of Pennsylvania’s 634 towns do better. On history, just 59 of Pennsylvania’s 1,749 towns do better. Montrose's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) is stronger than in 85% of U.S. towns. Montrose has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Montrose stand out
Where Montrose beats most towns.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Montrose0
Pennsylvania2.3
U.S.3.3
SafetyA+
No violent crime reported in 2025
Less crime per resident than 99% of U.S. towns
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
Silver Lake BankHistoryA+
Settled in 1812
4 places on the National Register
A history going back 214 years.
Natural hazardsA+
Very low risk of storm and flood damage
FEMA National Risk Index.
A shrinking town
Montrose has shrunk 21% since 2010
1,617 counted in 2010 and 1,290 in 2020; an estimated 1,275 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Montrose grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Pennsylvania), ordered by how far Montrose is from typical.
SafetyLess crime per resident than almost any U.S. townA+Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 4% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 10.3 of 20; 11.6% of households have no car; 13.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitAOpen →Jobs & incomeDOpen →Cost of livingB+Open →SchoolsBOpen →HealthEndless Mountains Health Systems 3.3 miles awayC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2% conserved landB−Open →History6 notable people born hereA+Open →Civic life5.9 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 40.4; 18% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Montrose: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Montrose, and how to reach them.
PowerClaverack Rural Elec Coop18.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterPa Amer Water Co MontroseNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers96% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Montrose’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Pennsylvania you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person until 15 days before Election Day, or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereSusquehanna County Board of ElectionsSusquehanna County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2024
ZIP code1880118801 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Montrose.
SafetyA+
Property crime in Montrose is lower than in most of Pennsylvania or the rest of the country
At 0 per 1,000 residents, Montrose’s property crime rate is below both the Pennsylvania town median (5.7) and the median of U.S. towns (9.9). Montrose reports less crime per resident than 100% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.
99%of U.S. towns report more crimeA+Safety Grade
| Montrose | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0 per 1,000 residents | 5.7 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0 per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Montrose0
Pennsylvania2.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Montrose0
Pennsylvania13.6
U.S.15.5
99th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
0
violent crimes reported in 2025
0
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
SchoolsB
Public schools in Montrose beat 63% of Pennsylvania districts
Its public schools are run by Montrose Area SD. Its one school is below.
63%of PA districts it outscoresBSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lathrop Street El SchLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–6 | Grades K–6 | 401 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within PA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade D
With 1.5 jobs for every working resident, Montrose draws in 782 commuters
Most working residents leave Montrose for work: only 9% work in town. The median household income in Montrose is $53,000. Jobs based in Montrose fell to 829 in 2023, 1,126 fewer than in 2013.
9%work in town
| Montrose | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,000 | $81,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 21 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 8.8% | 6.3% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Montrose9%
Bridgewater Township21%
Binghamton4%
Scranton3%
Dimock Township3%
18 mi
median commute distance
829
jobs based in Montrose
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 95% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A+
Inland flooding leads a very low hazard risk in Montrose
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 96% of U.S. communities. Since 2006, 2 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Montrose.
4risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingHurricanesTornadoes
2
paid flood claims since 2006
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
A typical July afternoon in Montrose is cooler than in the typical Pennsylvania or U.S. town
Montrose’s July high is 79°F. Montrose has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers.
83″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter17–33°
Spring34–55°
Summer56–77°
Fall39–58°
Oct 2
typical first frost
May 14
typical last frost
+1.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthC+
Montrose is less healthy than 60% of U.S. towns
Montrose beats the Pennsylvania average on 0 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 6. 18% of adults smoke cigarettes in Montrose.
40%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Montrose | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 17% | 14% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 38% | 36% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 14% | 14% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 11% | 12% |
26 measures vs. Pennsylvania
0 better20 too close to call6 worse
| What stands out | Montrose | PA |
|---|---|---|
| More adults with COPD | 9.9% | 7.7% |
| More adults with arthritis | 37.5% | 30.4% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.6% | 8.8% |
Endless Mountains Health Systems
3.3 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
HousingCost of living grade B+
Montrose’s typical home value is about $254K
The typical Montrose home is worth about $254,000, up 5.6% in a year, 11% below the Pennsylvania typical home. 58% of Montrose households own their home.
$254KZillow home value
| Montrose | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 58% | 78% | 73% |
| Median rent | $854 a month | $1,115 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Montrose$254K
Pennsylvania$287K
+5.6%
value change, 1 year
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
1.5%conserved
| Montrose | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conserved land | 1.5% | 8.2% | 4.3% |
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.3 miles per square mile | 0.4 | 0.4 |
1.5%
conserved · 12 of 820 acres
0.4 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Montrose Park | — | 4 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Nearby attractions
All 32 attractions →Steamtown National Historic Site and 14 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Montrose. Close and well known come first.
31 mi National Historic SiteSteamtown National Historic Site61K visitors a year
40 mi State parkRicketts Glen State Park
18 mi Stadium & arenaBroome County Veterans Memorial Arena18 mi Ski areaElk Mountain Ski Resort28 runs · 908 ft vertical34 mi Theme parkRocky Glen Park
24 mi MuseumFrench AzilumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Steamtown National Historic Site: National Park Service, Public domain · Ricketts Glen State Park: en:User:Msitler, Public domain · Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena: Bmoore2009 at English Wikipedia, Public domain · French Azilum: Nicholas A. Tonelli from Northeast Pennsylvania, USA, CC BY 2.0
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Montrose
20pages on Montrose
The big questions
SchoolsBBeat 63% of PA districts · 1 schoolSafetyA+0 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than PA on 0 of 26 CDC measuresCost of livingB+$254K typical home · up 5.6% in a yearWork & commuteD$53K median household income · 829 jobs hereNatural hazardsA+FEMA risk higher than 4% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Montrose; the nearest are
Binghamton UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Vestal, NY18.2 mi$10,567 in-state tuitionSUNY Broome Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Binghamton, NY21 mi$8,624 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Montrose residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Pennsylvania.
Small town
1,275 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Landmarks
4 places in Montrose on the National Register of Historic Places.
Famous people from Montrose
6 notable people were born in Montrose.
C
Charles Martin CrandallAmerican toy designer · 1833–1905F
Franklin D. FraserAmerican politician · 1819–1879P
Philip FraserUnited States federal judge · 1814–1876A
Albert Leisenring WatsonUnited States federal judge · 1876–1960
About Montrose
Borough in Pennsylvania, US
Montrose is a borough in and the county seat of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, Montrose had a population of 1,290. The land is elevated approximately 1,400 feet (430 m) above sea level.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1812
- Area
- 1.3 sq mi
- Elevation
- 2,057 ft
- ZIP code
- 18801
Questions about Montrose
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Montrose, PA expensive?
Not for the area. That is 3.7 years of the area's median household income ($68,487 across the county). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B+.
What is Montrose, PA known for?
6 notable people were born here, including William Wallace McCredie and Charles Martin Crandall.