Jenkins blends industry, homes and highway access
Next to the town of Pittston, Jenkins is home to both residential and industrial areas in Luzerne County. The eastern part is the industrial sector with distribution centers for Lowe’s and The Home Depot; there’s also an Amazon Fulfillment Center nearby. Interstates 81 and 476 bisect the area, and train tracks also separate the industrial sector from the residential, where cul-de-sacs are lined with single-family homes typically priced under $350,000. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 3 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Jenkins offers a variety of recreation and restaurants and appeals to homebuyers looking for affordability and direct access to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s major interstates.
Jenkins’ residential landscape and home prices
Jenkins’ subdivisions are characterized by cul-de-sacs and grassy lawns. Some homes perch on hillsides offering mountain views, while other lots lie on level ground. Split-level homes often have basements or attached, ground-level garages. Alternatively, buyers may opt for a renovated 1920s multi-story Craftsman-style home with a front porch. Single-family home prices range from about $140,000 to $340,000. The median price here hovers around $174,000, which is significantly lower than both the state and national medians.
Shopping and dining in Jenkins and Pittston
Restaurants in Jenkins include The Tipsy Turtle Market Street Pub, a sports bar known for its chicken bites, and Pazzo, which translates to “crazy” in Italian. The restaurant is so named for its self-described “crazy good” food. Pazzo has served Italian dinners for over 15 years in a minimalist, contemporary setting.
For more upscale options, residents here typically make the short drive to Pittston, about 7 miles northwest. “Pittston is an up-and-coming town with nice, higher-end restaurants of all different types,” says Jenine Finarelli, a real estate agent at Century 21 Signature Properties who lives and works in Luzerne County. Pittston restaurants offer a variety of experiences, from sushi at Fujis Pittston to weekend brunch on the rooftop patio at Rikasa.
In terms of retail, shoppers can get groceries in Jenkins at Walmart Supercenter and Aldi, and they can drive a few miles south to Arena Hub Plaza for big-box stores like Target and Ross.
Indoor and outdoor recreation in Jenkins
Jenkins' most prominent recreation asset is the Revolution Ice Center, where locals go ice skating and play ice hockey. In addition to its two indoor regulation-sized ice rinks, the facility has a training gym and bleachers that can seat up to 600 spectators. The ice center hosts tournaments, lessons, leagues, birthday parties and glow-in-the-dark skate sessions. For outdoor recreation, parks in Jenkins service Little League games and youth soccer. The Susquehanna River forms Jenkins’ western border, and the swath of forest to the south and east includes multiple state game lands for deer hunting. Within the nearby Pinchot State Forest, Seven Tubs Recreation Area is known for its mountainous creek that cascades into a series of seven natural freshwater pools. About 10 miles away is the Montage Mountain Resort, which operates year-round. In the summer months, the resort is popular for its waterpark, which features a lazy river and a variety of water slides. When the snow starts falling, skiers head to the mountain for its variety of terrain suitable for every skill level. The mountain features 26 different trails across 140 acres and includes lit trails for night skiing. The resort also offers ski school and equipment rentals.
Entertainment at the Mohegan Pennsylvania
Owned by the Mohegan Tribe, the Mohegan Pennsylvania offers a 24-hour casino, shopping, dining and onsite bars that host local bands. “The Mohegan is a draw with good restaurants, a full casino, horse racing and concerts,” Finarelli says. Horse races take place at The Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, which offers free admission and sits within walking distance of the casino. And a few minutes away is the Mohegan Sun Arena, a venue that seats over 8,000. The venue hosts concert tours throughout the year, and doubles as the home ice of the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Students are zoned for the Pittston Area School District
The Pittston Area School District, rated C on Niche, serves the area. Elementary students may begin at Pittston Area Primary Center, rated B-minus, followed by Pittston City Intermediate Center, rated C. Pittston Area Middle School, rated C-minus, serves grades five through eight. In 2025, the boys’ baseball team at C-plus-rated Pittston Area Senior High School won the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District II 5A championship.
Direct access to Interstates 81 and 476
While many residents here rely on personal vehicles to get around town, there is public transportation available. Luzerne County Transportation Authority buses stop in the residential areas west of I-81, transporting passengers to Scranton and throughout the county. For those who prefer to drive themselves, Interstate 81, which stretches across Pennsylvania, and Interstate 476, which leads to Philadelphia, bisect the township. Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center is just south along I-81. Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is also close by, about 6 miles north.
