Moosic, Pennsylvania 1892, 1892
Moosic’s story
168 years in pictures
Census counts: 600 in 1880, 5,959 in 2020. The archive holds 10 old photos and papers going back to 1892 and 6 maps from 1889 on.
- 1858Moosic is settled
MoosicPA
Trash day: look up yoursPopulation
5,989
2025 Census estimate · +0.9% since 2020
Typical home
$264K
+6.2% in a year
Household income
$80K
median
Median age
42.7
years
Jobs based here
6,321
A job hub
TownGrade
C+
#820 of 1032 in PA
Is Moosic a good place to live?
Moosic grades C+ overall, ranked 820th of 1032 in Pennsylvania, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. The median household earns $80K and it is more walkable than 76% of U.S. towns. On the other side, the typical home is worth about $264K, 4.1 years of the Scranton metro’s $65K median household income. Moosic’s trail density is 4.1 miles per square mile, above both Pennsylvania’s towns (0.4) and U.S. towns (0.4). The biggest place to walk is Pinchot State Forest, 170 acres with 2.5 miles of trail.
What makes Moosic stand out
Where Moosic beats most towns.
Jobs vs. working residents
Jobs here6,321
Residents who work2,394
Work
2.6 jobs for every working resident
A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 97% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023.
WalkabilityA−
More walkable than 76% of U.S. towns
2.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
0historic places
History
Settled in 1858
A long history
A history going back 168 years.
Get outside
27 miles of trails in Moosic
4.8% of the town is conserved land, across 6 parks and preserves.
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Moosic grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Pennsylvania), ordered by how far Moosic is from typical.
Cost of livingC−Open →Jobs & incomeA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 9 of 20; 9.5% of households have no carA−Open →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listCOpen →SafetyC+Open →HealthRegional Hospital of Scranton 3.5 miles awayB−Open →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors5% conserved landB+Open →HistoryC+Open →Civic life2.9 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsCOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Moosic: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Moosic, and how to reach them.
PowerPPL Electric Utilities18.6¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterPa Amer Water Co Lake ScrantonNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressTown pickup · day by addressTown site
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 hereLackawanna County Board of ElectionsLackawanna County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2025
ZIP codes18507, 1864118507 83% · 18641 17%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 Moosic.
Moosic draws workers from Scranton and beyond and is safe by national standards but not by Pennsylvania’s; it also carries more natural-hazard risk than most of Pennsylvania (mostly inland flooding).
#13for trails in PA
4.8%
conserved · 199 of 4,152 acres
27 mi
of trails · 4.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pinchot State Forest | 2.5 mi | 170 |
| 2. Felter Field | — | 4 |
| 3. Mercatili Segilia Park | 0.1 mi | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB−
Moosic’s schools rank behind 51% of Pennsylvania districts
Its public schools are run by Riverside SD. Its one school is below.
49%of PA districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside El Sch EastLargest public elementary schoolGrades 3–6 | Grades 3–6 | 455 | C+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within PA on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
The average trip to work in Moosic is shorter than in most of Pennsylvania or the rest of the country
6,321 jobs are based in Moosic, 2.6 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. The average commute takes 14.7 minutes, against 26.3 across Pennsylvania.
Moosic’s average trip to work is 15 minutes, below both the Pennsylvania town median (26 minutes) and the median of U.S. towns (25 minutes). Jobs based in Moosic fell to 6,321 in 2023, 789 fewer than in 2013. Most working residents leave Moosic for work: only 11% work in town.
11%work in town
| Moosic | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 15 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 11% | 6.3% | 8% |
| Work from home | 14% | 12% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 7.2% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Moosic11%
Scranton23%
Dunmore4%
Pittston Township3%
Old Forge3%
7 mi
median commute distance
6,321
jobs based in Moosic
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
A−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 76% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
In Moosic, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
Moosic has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The July high in Moosic is 83°F.
45″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter20–36°
Spring36–58°
Summer58–80°
Fall41–61°
Oct 20
typical first frost
Apr 23
typical last frost
+1.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C
Moosic faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 88% of Pennsylvania towns, with expected losses of about $509 per resident a year; that rating is what its C for hazard risk is built on.
Moosic’s FEMA risk score is 63 of 100. Since 1981, 15 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Moosic.
63risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold waves
15
paid flood claims since 1981
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SafetyC+
Moosic sees more crime per resident than 56% of U.S. towns
At 21.2 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 77% of Pennsylvania’s graded towns.
44%of U.S. towns report more crimeC+Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Moosic3.3
Pennsylvania2.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Moosic5.8
Pennsylvania13.6
U.S.15.5
44th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
23rd
percentile among PA towns
20
violent crimes reported in 2025
35
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HousingCost of living grade C−
Moosic earns a C− for cost of living
Its typical home is the priciest on its borders; Old Forge is next at $229K. Home values rose 40% in five years, to about $264K, against 23% across Pennsylvania.
Typical home values rose 6.2% in the year to September 2026. 67% of Moosic households own their home.
$264KZillow home value
| Moosic | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 67% | 78% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,329 a month | $1,114 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Moosic$264K
Pennsylvania$287K
+6.2%
value change, 1 year
3
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Who lives here
An age mix much like Pennsylvania’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Pennsylvania average. 40% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Moosic.
42.7median age · PA 40.9
| Moosic | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 40% | 29% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 22% | 21% | 18% |
| Under 18 | 19% | 20% | 22% |
| Median age | 42.7 years | 43.2 years | 40.5 years |
MoosicPennsylvaniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma7%
High school30%
Some college15%
Associate’s9%
Bachelor’s24%
Graduate15%
Women and men · all residents
44% women, 56% men
About 128 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±3.8 points). Across Pennsylvania, 50.7% of residents are women.
| Moosic | PA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 10.5% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.5% | 9.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 4.7% | 9% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 16% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.9% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 9.6% | 11.9% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 15.7% | 13.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.9% | 11.4% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 11.1% | 8.1% | 7% |
| No diploma | 6.6% | 7.9% | 10.4% |
| High school | 29.7% | 32.9% | 26% |
| Some college | 15.4% | 15.1% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.6% | 8.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 24.2% | 20.9% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 15.4% | 14.3% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HealthB−
Moosic is healthier than 54% of U.S. towns
Its widest gap with Pennsylvania is tooth loss: 9.4% of those 65+ have lost all their teeth, against 14.5% statewide.
Moosic beats the Pennsylvania average on 3 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 5.
54%healthier than U.S. townsB−Health Grade
| Moosic | Pennsylvania towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 35% | 35% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 14% | 14% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 38% | 36% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 16% | 17% |
26 measures vs. Pennsylvania
3 better18 too close to call5 worse
| What stands out | Moosic | PA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 9.4% | 14.5% |
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 83% | 79.2% |
| More adults with COPD | 9.4% | 7.7% |
Regional Hospital of Scranton
In Scranton · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: dental
45th
percentile among PA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Nearby attractions
All 57 attractions →Steamtown National Historic Site and 23 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Moosic. Close and well known come first.
3 mi National Historic SiteSteamtown National Historic Site61K visitors a year
24 mi LakeLake Wallenpaupackin town Theme parkRocky Glen Park
2 mi Ski areaMontage Mountain Ski Area25 runs · 998 ft vertical
29 mi State parkRicketts Glen State Park
4 mi GardenNay Aug ParkSources: 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 · Lake Wallenpaupack: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Montage Mountain Ski Area: Montage Mountain Resorts, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ricketts Glen State Park: en:User:Msitler, Public domain · Nay Aug Park: The Mebane Greeting Card Co., Wilkes-Barre, PA., Public domain
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Keep exploring
Everything we know about Moosic
19pages on Moosic
The big questions
SchoolsB−Behind 51% of PA districts · 1 schoolSafetyC+3.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB−Better than PA on 3 of 26 CDC measuresCost of livingC−$264K typical home · up 6.2% in a yearWork & commuteA−$80K median household income · 6,321 jobs hereNatural hazardsCFEMA risk higher than 63% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
11 within 15 miles of the center of Moosic
Yeshivath Beth MosheUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Scranton3.2 mi$10,600 tuitionUniversity of ScrantonUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Scranton3.9 mi$53,983 tuitionPennsylvania State University-Penn State ScrantonUniversity or college · Public · Dunmore6.8 mi$15,208 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Moosic residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Pennsylvania.
A job hub
Every workday, about 6,054 people come to Moosic for work
Where Moosic’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
6,321jobs based in Moosic
11%of working residents work in town
7 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Moosic
Borough in Pennsylvania, US
Moosic ( MOO-zik) is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States, 3 miles (5 km) south of downtown Scranton and 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown Wilkes-Barre, on the Lackawanna River. Moosic is in a former coal-mining region. A few older industries existed at one time, including the manufacturing of canvas gloves and silk products. The population was 5,972 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1898
- Area
- 6.5 sq mi
- Elevation
- 817 ft
- ZIP code
- 18507
Moosic’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Moosic.
Old ForgeTaylorScrantonMoosic
How the neighbors grade
| Town | PA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moosic | #820 | C+ | C− | C+ | B− | B− |
| Old Forge | #391 | A− | B | A− | B− | B+ |
| Taylor | #851 | C | B− | — | B− | D |
| Scranton | #1005 | D | C | C | C− | C |
Taylor reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Moosic with a neighbor →
Questions about Moosic
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Moosic, PA a good place to live?
Moosic grades C+ overall, better than 37% of U.S. towns and #820 of 1032 in Pennsylvania. It grades B− for health, C+ for safety and B− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Moosic, PA safe?
Pennsylvania has less crime than most states, so among its own towns Moosic sits nearer the middle.
Is Moosic, PA expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.