Banks offers quiet living in a rural township near the Poconos
Banks is a rural township in Carbon County. It maintains a rustic feel, as its eastern half consists of wetlands and mature forests in the Penrose Swamp Barrens, a designated Natural Heritage Area protecting the Lehigh River watershed. Tranquility in nature is a key part of life here, and just over 1,000 people live among the township’s verdant landscapes. Most locals live in unincorporated communities like Tresckow and Junedale, which offer a more residential feel in an otherwise rural area. While Banks offers a slower pace of life, the township is within reach of the Poconos, a region known for its outdoor recreation, and Hazleton, a bigger city where residents can access daily necessities. Banks also has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Homes are scarce outside of communities like Tresckow and Junedale
The township is sparsely populated, and most residents live in Tresckow and Junedale. These communities feature quiet streets and a variety of architectural styles, including ranch-style houses, American Foursquares and twin homes. Outside of these residential pockets, properties are scattered across the landscape, typically surrounded by thickets of mature trees and sitting on lots of up to several acres of land. Homes rarely go on the market here, and just one sold in 2024 for $250,000. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in the township was around $160,000 in mid-2025. “The cost of living is slightly cheaper here than it is in the Lehigh Valley,” says Jayleen Solt, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and co-owner of 4 U Custom Homes.
Community parks, State Game Lands and nearby Poconos attractions
Tresckow residents can access a playground and ballfields used by the township’s youth baseball league. In Junedale, the Arthur Gardner Memorial Playground has a swing set and a basketball court. Banks is home to Lake Marie, a popular spot for catch-and-release fishing where bass are the most common catch. Hunters are within 20 miles of several State Game Lands, and State Game Lands 141 has a public shooting range.
The Glen Onoko Falls footpath winds between State Game Lands 141 and Lehigh Gorge State Park, a destination for fishing, whitewater rafting and hiking in the Poconos. “You’re also very close to several ski resorts,” Solt says. Popular ski areas like Blue Mountain Resort and Jack Frost Big Boulder are within 40 miles of Banks.
The Hazleton Area School District has magnet schools for STEM and art
The township is part of the Hazleton Area School District, which earns an overall grade of C from Niche. Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School receives a C-minus, and Hazleton Area High School scores a B-minus. High schoolers can take Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes for college credit, and those interested in pursuing a specific field may apply to the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences or the Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy.
From local gathering spots to nearby shopping and dining in Hazleton
While shopping and dining are limited in Banks, Tresckow and Junedale have a handful of local businesses. Tresckow favorites include Jockey’s Bar & Grill, a local watering hole with a pool table and a jukebox. For the essentials, residents can head to Tresckow Super Food. Junedale is home to Big Dog’s Bar and Grille, known for its classic pub grub and weekly trivia nights. The Broken Glass Tavern is another neighborhood bar with casual eats, an outdoor patio and karaoke nights. The township also surrounds Beaver Meadows, a small borough with a few local establishments.
Residents typically shop and dine in the Hazleton area, about 5 miles north. Stores like Giant, Lowe’s and Walmart are go-to spots for running errands, while the Laurel Mall has retailers like Boscov’s and T.J. Maxx. Dining options range from fast-food chains such as Wendy’s to local establishments like Jimmy’s Quick Lunch, an old-fashioned hot dog joint that’s been serving the community for over 85 years.
Annual bazaar at the McAdoo Fire Company
The McAdoo Fire Company serves Banks and hosts various community events. Its annual bazaar brings locals together each June to enjoy live music, homemade food and a firetruck parade. The festivities also include fundraising games and raffles that raise money for the fire department.
Banks offers rural living near major highways and industrial parks
Few roads pass through Banks. Pennsylvania Route 93 is its main thoroughfare, providing access to nearby highways like Interstate 81, U.S. Route 209 and Pennsylvania Route 309. The township is within 50 miles of bigger cities like Allentown and Scranton, and Philadelphia is about 100 miles southeast. Tresckow residents can access local bus service courtesy of Hazleton Public Transit, which operates a bus route between Tresckow, McAdoo and Hazleton. For flights, Banks is about 40 miles from Lehigh Valley International Airport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
McAdoo Industrial Park covers 200 acres in the township’s southwestern corner. It’s home to several manufacturing companies and a greenhouse for Little Leaf Farms. Residents are also less than 10 miles from Humboldt Industrial Park and Valmont Industrial Park, home to some of Carbon County’s top employers.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
