Blythe has rural charm and comparative affordability near Pottsville
Blythe is a rural township of just over 800 people. It surrounds U.S. Route 209 and the independent boroughs of New Philadelphia and Middleport, attracting residents with the promise of a quiet community and comparatively low home prices in Schuylkill County. “We’re getting a lot of people coming from out of state for the economics of it,” says Nada Laguna , a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. While dense forests cover most of Blythe, U.S. Route 209 connects residents to the rest of the county and beyond, with Downtown Pottsville about 6 miles west. The township also has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Villages offer a community feel, while the countryside offers space
Most homes here are near U.S. Route 209 in unincorporated villages like Cumbola and Kaska. “These small towns have more of a neighborhood feel, but a lot of the township is just wooded land,” Laguna says. These villages feature quiet residential streets with a mix of American Foursquares, ranch-style houses and twin homes. Farther from these communities, New Traditional homes and custom-built properties have wooded lots with up to several acres of land. Homes rarely go on the market in Blythe. Four properties sold in 2024, with prices ranging from just under $90,000 to $330,000. The median sales price for single-family homes is around $150,000, which is below the median for Schuylkill County. When homes do come on the market, they sell after an average of less than a month on the market. The Blythe Recycling and Demolition Site (BRADS) covers 110 acres in the township’s northwestern corner and specializes in non-hazardous solid waste collection.
Saint Clair and Pottsville Area School Districts serve Blythe students
Blythe is served by the Saint Clair Area School District. Kindergarten through eighth-grade students can attend Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School, which earns a C-plus from Niche and partners with the local non-profit Child Development to offer on-site prekindergarten programs. An agreement with the Pottsville Area School District allows high schoolers to attend the B-minus-rated Pottsville Area High School, where juniors and seniors can earn college credit through Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses.
Small-town parks, trail access and big outdoor adventures nearby
Kaska Park is a small green space near the center of town. It features a playground as well as tennis and basketball courts. In January 2025, the township received a state grant to fund renovations to Kaska Park, which are underway as of July 2025 and include resurfacing its sports courts and adding new ADA-accessible playground equipment. Other community green spaces include Timothy M. Freed Memorial Park, which sits along U.S. Route 209 and features a playground, gazebo, basketball court and tennis court. Locals can access the Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail in Middleport, a popular hiking and biking spot that spans just over seven miles between the borough and Tamaqua.
Residents are about a 10-mile drive from Locust Lake State Park, known for its camping areas and hiking trails tucked along the side of Locust Mountain. The park’s lake is a destination for boating, fishing and swimming, featuring a sandy beachfront open from May through September. Golfers can play a round at the public Mountain Valley Golf Course, which is less than 10 miles away and has two 18-hole courses. Blythe is also less than 10 miles from State Game Lands 222, where hunters may encounter both big and small game.
A few small businesses in New Philadelphia, with more in Pottsville
Although there aren’t any shops and restaurants in Blythe, there are a handful of local businesses in New Philadelphia. Valley Street Food Market sells the essentials and has a deli counter where shoppers can get sandwiches, burgers and other gas station foods. Locals may also head 6 miles east on U.S. Route 209 and pick up the necessities at Dollar General. Back in the borough, Mazloom’s Bar & Restaurant is a neighborhood hangout with a pool table, dart board and classic pub grub. Neapolitan Italian Eatery is another local favorite that serves strombolis, pizzas and more in a casual dining room where tapestries from Italy hang proudly on the walls. Pottsville, about a 6-mile drive away, offers more shops, restaurants and supermarkets, including Weis Markets, the closest full-service grocery store to the township.
Community events center around the local volunteer fire company
The Kaska Volunteer Fire Company hosts various community events, including an annual classic car show in September. The car show invites residents to admire vintage vehicles while listening to live music, entering raffles and enjoying homemade foods. The fire company also has a bar where they’ve previously held stand-up comedy nights, small concerts and New Year’s Eve parties.
A car-dependent area with access to major highways and bigger cities
While residents here live in a heavily car-dependent area, there are a few Schuylkill Transportation System bus stops on U.S. Route 209. Most stops are in New Philadelphia and Middleport, and the bus connects riders to destinations such as downtown Pottsville. For those who prefer to drive, major thoroughfares like Interstates 81 and 78 are within 20 miles of the township. I-81 offers direct routes to Harrisburg and Scranton, both about 65 miles from Blythe, while I-78 connects residents to Allentown, a 50-mile drive away. For flights, Lehigh Valley International Airport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport are less than 60 miles from Blythe. St. Luke’s University Hospital Miners Campus is about a 15-mile drive away.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
