Jonestown is a rural borough convenient to regional highways
Jonestown is a small borough in rural Lebanon County just south of the Appalachian foothills. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it had a population of just over 1,600 residents in 2020. Miles of farmlands and forested areas surround the borough. "It's a very nice, quiet community with a hometown feel to it," says Maria Tice-Ault, a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Krall Real Estate and and longtime Jonestown resident. "Jonestown has small-town experiences you don't get in other parts of Lebanon; there's a lot of local history here and it's a fairly tight-knit community." The nearest city, Lebanon, is 7 miles south and takes approximately 15 minutes to drive to. Aside from a handful of local businesses and eateries on Market Street, Jonestown is a primarily residential community. Despite its rural location, the borough offers proximity to several major highways, including U.S. Route 22 and Interstates 78 and 81. Tice-Ault says that some of the largest employers in this area are located in nearby Fort Indiantown Gap, including the National Guard Training Center and manufacturing facilities for well-known retailers like Mattel. Jonestown has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 3 out of 10, slightly lower than the national average of 4.
Single-family and multifamily homes sell quickly in Jonestown
Jonestown’s housing options comprise mostly single-family homes and some multifamily properties, including townhouses and condo units. Single-family homes date from the early 20th century to the present day and include a mix of architectural styles, including ranchers, bi-level homes, New Traditional builds, and historic and contemporary colonial-style houses. Turnkey single-family homes typically cost between $200,000 and $450,000, while multifamily units and townhouses most often range from $220,000 to $290,000. Homes sell comparatively quickly in Jonestown, spending an average of only 10 days listed on the market, a significantly shorter period of time than the national average figure.
Northern Lebanon Elementary opened in 2023
Students living in Jonestown are zoned for the Northern Lebanon School District, which receives an overall C rating from Niche. In 2023, the district consolidated four elementary schools into one new institution, the Northern Lebanon Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade and has yet to be rated by Niche. Grades seven through 12 can attend Northern Lebanon Secondary School, rated B-minus. Private education options in this area include Jonestown Mennonite School and Blue Mountain Christian School, both religiously affiliated private options.
Community parks and proximity to the Appalachian Mountains
The George H. Kaufman Jonestown Community Park serves as the borough’s central hub for outdoor recreation. Park amenities include walking trails, playgrounds and various athletic facilities, including tennis courts and three baseball fields. Jonestown is bordered to the west by Swatara Creek, a popular waterway for kayaking, fishing and rafting, according to Tice-Ault. Nine miles north of the borough, up in the Appalachian range, is Swatara State Park, which covers more than 3,500 acres of natural land and offers an extensive network of hiking and biking trails. A portion of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, a paved pedestrian corridor, cuts into the borough along Swatara Creek.
Local diners and small businesses line West Market Street
Most of Jonestown’s commercial options line West Market Street, which runs through the middle of the borough. A few small businesses and specialty stores dot the area, but most commercial establishments along this street are local dining spots. Popular eateries include Pizza Town restaurant, established in 1982, and Swatara Coffee Company, an award-winning, family-owned café that frequently partners with other local businesses to support the Jonestown community. "We've also got Frostbitez, which is the best ice cream shop in the county," Tice-Ault says. "It's right by the creek and, depending on when you get there, you could be standing in a very long line waiting to get your ice cream cone." Borough residents can buy groceries and other household necessities at BG’s Value Market. Eight miles south of Jonestown, the Lebanon Plaza shopping center has big-box stores and national chains like Kohl’s, PetSmart and T.J. Maxx.
Quick access to major Lebanon Valley highways
Because of Jonestown’s rural location and lack of public transit, residents rely on their cars for daily transportation. Borough commuters have easy access to several of the region’s major thoroughfares, including U.S. Route 22, also called William Penn Highway, and Pennsylvania Route 72, which leads south into Lebanon. Interstates 78 and 81 are a 5-minute drive north of the borough. Harrisburg International Airport is 28 miles away, or a 40-minute drive. WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital has a 24-hour emergency department in Lebanon, approximately 8 miles from Jonestown.
