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Freeland

Freeland

Located in Luzerne County

$163,151 Average Value
$128 Average Price per Sq Ft
19 Homes For Sale

New residents heading to the mountaintop borough of Freeland

Freeland, Pennsylvania, is the type of community where most residents know each other, but these days, locals are learning some new names. That’s because people are moving to the borough to work in the factories in nearby Hazleton, says Freeland Secretary and Treasurer Heather Donish. “We’re getting new people coming in, and we’re trying to help them assimilate.” There are several opportunities for new arrivals to get assimilated into the compact community of 3,500 people that’s perched on a mountaintop, from free concerts to Little League games. Residents can also drive down the mountain and reach the county seat of Wilkes-Barre in 20 miles, accessing a selection of big-box retailers and employers ranging from hospitals to government offices.

Freeland is a community oriented town in Luzerne County, Pa.
Freeland is a community oriented town in Luzerne County, Pa.
Freeland is laid out in a classic grid of streets, creating a structured and walkable urban landscape.
Freeland is laid out in a classic grid of streets, creating a structured and walkable urban landscape.
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Compact layout of small homes

Freeland consists of a grid of streets, and dense rows of Dutch Colonials, American Foursquares and townhouses border the city blocks. Front porches often extend up to the sidewalks, though homes may have small backyards or side yards. Lots become slightly larger on the north end of the borough, where yard space is more plentiful. Townhouses sell for a median price of $140,000, while single-family homes range from $90,000 to $155,000.

American Foursquares, and townhouses stand shoulder to shoulder, creating a patchwork of classic charm in Freeland.
American Foursquares, and townhouses stand shoulder to shoulder, creating a patchwork of classic charm in Freeland.
Front porches stretch close to the sidewalks, inviting neighborly interaction and street-level activity
Front porches stretch close to the sidewalks, inviting neighborly interaction and street-level activity
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Freeland’s heavy snowfall stands out in the region

Snowfall can be heavy across the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area, but Donish says even residents of nearby communities are sometimes shocked at how much snow blankets Freeland. “We’re on top of a big mountain, and it’s always surprising to people how much snow we get here. You can watch the weather change when you hit the welcome sign coming up the Freeland Mountain.” Still, Donish says locals aren’t fazed by the snow and that the Streets Department keeps the borough roads clear.

Kids zoned to Hazleton Area School District

Kindergartners through eighth graders can take classes in the borough at Freeland Elementary/Middle School, which is scored a C by Niche. The district’s only high school, Hazleton Area High School, is about 8 miles away. The B-minus-rated school runs an Arts and Humanities Academy for students interested in topics such as philosophy, communications and dance, while teens in the Academy of Sciences attend a monthly program at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton.

Hazleton Area High School has 3,884 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1.
Hazleton Area High School has 3,884 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1.
Freeland Elementary Middle School has about 950 students in grades kindergarten to eight grade.
Freeland Elementary Middle School has about 950 students in grades kindergarten to eight grade.
MMI Preparatory School has been educating students since 1879.
MMI Preparatory School has been educating students since 1879.
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Dining along Centre Street, with retail on the east end

Several restaurants line Centre Street, including Woodie’s Luncheonette. Freeland residents patronized the restaurant from 1950 to 1990, when it closed. It reopened in 2019, and the new version pays homage to the old, with a lunch counter near the entrance and retro memorabilia and faded newspaper clippings on the wall. Locals run errands at the shops between South Street and Front Street, which include Dollar General and Carone’s Market, the borough’s grocery store.

Stop by Woodies Luncheonette in Freeland for an American diner experience.
Stop by Woodies Luncheonette in Freeland for an American diner experience.
Carone's Market is a full-service grocery store offering an in-house meat department, bakery, and deli making it a central hub for local shopping needs.
Carone's Market is a full-service grocery store offering an in-house meat department, bakery, and deli making it a central hub for local shopping needs.
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Public parks host playgrounds, baseball and concerts

The borough oversees two parks; the first is Public Park, a series of benches and playgrounds among a tree grove. Singers, bands and orchestras take to the park’s stage in the summer for weekly Friday night concerts. Fourth Ward Park consists of a soccer field, basketball court and swing sets on the north side of Freeland. Meanwhile, Freeland Little League teams play at a baseball field immediately south of Freeland. People can work out on weekdays at YMCA Freeland.

Kids like the swings at Public Park Pavilion.
Kids like the swings at Public Park Pavilion.
Fourth Ward Park has athletic fields for youth sports.
Fourth Ward Park has athletic fields for youth sports.
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Bus and highway connections to Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre

Freeland’s dense layout makes it fairly walkable, and it’s possible to bike from one end of the community to the other in less than 10 minutes. Hazleton Public Transit operates a bus route that takes riders from Freeland to Hazleton in about 25 minutes. People can also drive from Freeland to Hazleton using Pennsylvania Route 940, while nearby Interstate 81 routes to Wilkes-Barre.

Residents can use public transit to get to Hazelton with a travel time of approximately 25 minutes.
Residents can use public transit to get to Hazelton with a travel time of approximately 25 minutes.
Hazleton Public Transit runs a bus route that connects Freeland to Hazleton.
Hazleton Public Transit runs a bus route that connects Freeland to Hazleton.
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Alex Soderstrom
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Daniel Quattro
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Quattro
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Adam Lapallo

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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

Parks in this Area

Freeland Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$150,000
Median Sale Price
$145,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$150,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$140,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-16%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$128

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
630
Number of Homes for Sale
19
Median Year Built
1940
Months of Supply
22.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,812
Below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,696
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,414

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Freeland Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,488
Median Age
38
Population under 18
26.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$47,420
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,392

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87.4%
College Graduates
15.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
% Population in Labor Force
53.7%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
38''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

47 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

64 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Freeland