Originally a mining community, Avoca is a small borough with generational homes and vast, expansive woodlands just south of the Lackawanna River. The Mill Creek meanders through the locale with ample trails along the waterway, imbuing an element of peace. Today, the neighborhood has developed into an accessible location with shops and outdoor spaces all around. “People like it here for its proximity to highways, restaurants and markets. It’s a good location,” says Leah Gianacopoulos, Realtor at ERA One Source Realty.
Avoca
Suburban Neighborhood in Pennsylvania
Luzerne County 18641
Neighborhood Reviews
Historic homes south of the Lackawanna River
The streets in Avoca are lined with tall centuries-old trees and greenery. Homes tend to be close together and front yard space can be minimal. Many homes were built between the 1860s and the 1960s with Colonial Revival, Cape Cod and ranch-style architecture. Single-family homes with two or three bedrooms are typically priced between $110,000 and $240,000. The average house size is around 2,000 square feet with varying lot sizes.
Prospective schools in the Pittston Area
Residents in Avoca appreciate the schools in the Pittston Area School District. “The place has a good school district,” Gianacopoulos says. Students from prekindergarten to third grade can attend Pittston Area Primary Center, which is ranked B-minus by Niche. Pittston Area Intermediate Center and Pittston Area Middle School both have a C-minus rating. Pittston Area Senior High School has a B-minus score and offers various sports teams and after-school clubs for students.
Recreation areas for Avoca residents
Plane Street Park sits at the center of the neighborhood with a playground and tennis courts. For small children, Healey Playground has a play area with a traditional metal slide. Avoca Community Center is known for having an indoor gymnasium and youth recreational programs. Nature lovers can take their dogs and walk or hike the Campbell Trails. Families also go skiing in the winter at the Montage Mountain Resorts. In summertime, the neighboring park Dupont Borough hosts various outdoor festivals and events.
Shopping and dining options around Avoca
Patty's Subdivision Hoagies is a popular local sandwich shop that serves chicken cheese steak wraps and hearty burgers. For nights out with friends and family, West Side Social Club is a popular bar with table pool. People can shop for groceries and home essentials at Aldi, The Home Depot and Walmart in Pittston, which is about 4 miles west of Avoca. Pittston Plaza and Pittston Commons have service shops like hair and nail salons, and Pittston Cross has additional restaurants for dine-out options. Fashion shopping sprees can take place at The Shoppes at Montage Mountain with stores such as J. Jill and Loft.
Events in the Greater Pittston area
Germania Hose Company, the volunteer fire department serving Duryea and adjacent communities such as Avoca, hosts the annual Germania picnic fundraising event every summer. Residents come for the carnival rides, the parade and fireworks, the flea market and for the live music with games and food. Germania also has things such as Easter egg hunts and breakfast with Santa throughout the year to give back to the community. The annual Pittston Tomato Festival in August is one of the biggest fairs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Located just 4 miles west of Avoca, over 100,000 people flock to Pittston for the four-day event to celebrate local Pittston tomatoes. Activities include games, rides and arts and crafts workshops. There is also a parade and a 5,000-kilometer race that take place during the fair. The highlight of the festival is the tomato contest, of which ribbons will be awarded for the largest, the smallest, the ugliest and the most perfect Pittston tomato.
Navigating the Avoca Borough
The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport borders Avoca to the east, making flights convenient. However, the noise level from the runway can be high for some residents who live right next to the airport. The closest city is Scranton, which is about 8 miles to the northeast via Interstate 81. Interstate 276 can take one to Philadelphia and the surrounding Southern Pennsylvania region. U.S. Route 11 lets commuters travel to Northeastern New York.
Important to know
Pennsylvania currently has 9,977 abandoned mines with environmental or health impacts. Acid mine drainage (AMD), which is the outpour of water that is highly acidic and contains heavy metals, through abandoned mines leads to drinking water and soil contamination and corrosion of infrastructure. Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, the state is implementing strip mine reclamation projects to reclaim hazards such as AMD and to reinstate appropriate vegetation in abandoned mine areas to revive the local habitats.
Written By
Christina Xu
Photography Contributed By
TJ Engler
Video By
Barry Ridgeway
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Charisse Messina
Charisse Messina
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Preferred Properties
(272) 770-2912
108 Total Sales
2 in Avoca
$58K - $79K Price Range
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Xander Weidenbaum
Xander Weidenbaum
Redstone Run Realty, LLC
(272) 888-0327
488 Total Sales
1 in Avoca
$233,500 Price
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David Fritz
David Fritz
Responds QuicklyLewith & Freeman, Shavertown
(570) 300-7078
83 Total Sales
2 in Avoca
$100K - $265K Price Range
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Falconieri Lima de Jesus
Falconieri Lima de Jesus
Responds QuicklySimplicity Realty
(929) 284-2034
29 Total Sales
1 in Avoca
$41,000 Price
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Nikki Callahan
Nikki Callahan
Responds QuicklyLewith & Freeman, Kingston
(570) 774-4665
105 Total Sales
1 in Avoca
$208,000 Price
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Tammy Turner
TT
Tammy Turner
Responds QuicklyChristian Saunders Real Estate
(570) 535-4545
96 Total Sales
1 in Avoca
$165,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- 2nd to 4th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Avoca Park
Plane Street Park
Duryea Community Park
Healey Playground
Dupont Borough Park
Robert Yaple Memorial Park
Transit
Reviews
Niche Reviews
5/12/2015
Niche Review
There is an abundance of parks and mountain ranges you can walk outdoors at. Outdoor activities are very common. There is some pollution around.
5/12/2015
Niche Review
The local businesses are very successful.
2/27/2023
Niche Review
A lot of sketchy things go on in Avoca. I live in a nice section but i have heard many stories of drug deals happening on the news.
5/18/2014
Niche Review
A lot of unemployment low wages
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Avoca | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Avoca, PA sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Avoca, PA over the last 12 months is $222,758, up 19% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$188,000
Median Single Family Price
$188,000
Median Townhouse Price
$217,250
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$146
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
31
Months of Supply
1.50
Median List Price
$219,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
16%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
361
Median Year Built
2005
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,946
On par with the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,632
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,049
Median Age
46
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,983
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$74,905
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.3%
College Graduates
16.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
32''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
39
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
38
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Dupont
Borough near the interstate maintains small town atmosphere
Hughestown
Quiet borough next to colorful city of Pittston
Duryea
Mountainous suburb along the Susquehanna River
Pittston
Colorful city in Pennsylvania calls itself World’s Quality Tomato Capital
Moosic
Mountainous, green borough southwest of Scranton
Old Forge
Southwest Scranton suburb that blends the love for pizza and the outdoors
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