Small manufacturing town with an unwavering spirit
Lewistown, situated along the Juniata River, became a borough in 1795 and grew as a major transportation hub in the 19th century with the arrival of the Pennsylvania Canal and railroads. It also sent troops to Washington, D.C., to defend the capital during the American Civil War. Yet the closing of manufacturing plants like Rayon-maker American Viscose Corporation in the 1970s began to chip away at the town’s population. By 2020, Lewistown's population had dropped as much as 38 percent from its zenith in the 1930s.
The seat of Mifflin County, Lewistown also has its share of success stories. The Standard Steel plant in nearby Burnham employs as many as 1,000 workers, and Geisinger purchased Lewistown Hospital in 2013, bringing new services and employment to the area. The 2020s have seen growth in the restaurant and retail sectors. Construction of U.S. 322 has also improved the commute between Lewistown and State College, home to Pennsylvania State University, allowing faculty and staff the option to live in Lewistown.
“In recent years, Lewistown has become a bedroom community for Penn State,” says Matthew Parkes, the broker of Re/Max Together in Reedsville, a small town next to Lewistown where Parkes grew up. “The town also draws remote workers and people who have family connections. The Standard Steel plant and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital either attract buyers or bring professionals into the area to work. Phillips Ultrasound in Reedsville is doing a huge expansion, too, though the area has historically been blue-collar."
Despite its economic ups and downs, Lewistown continues to grow with new chain restaurants and retailers moving in, a community-driven effort to improve the downtown, and more passenger train service planned for 2026. “Lewistown will always have a small-town community feel, but that isn't stopping it from attracting more businesses and more opportunity,” Parkes adds.
Lewistown has a sprawling downtown area that is full of restaurants and shops.
Standard Steel in Lewistown started in 1795 and manufactures forged steel wheels and axles.
1/2
Growing home market that attracts businesses
The median home price in Lewistown is $145,000, well under the national median of $404,000. For a small town, Lewistown is densely packed with homes stacked close together and front lawns only a few feet deep. Architecturally, the town’s center favors two-story colonial- or Queen Anne-style houses with covered porches and parking on the street or off the alley. Many of these homes are duplexes, townhouses or multi-unit properties with tenants already in place. Around South Main Street and West 4th Street, two of the city’s arms that hug a bend in the Juniata River, bungalows, foursquares, Capes and ranche-styles add to the city’s home options. The highest-priced homes in the city are in the South Main Street area closest to Lewistown Elementary, Lewistown Intermediate and Mifflin County Middle schools, which form one large campus.
Buyers are taking note of all that the borough has to offer, along with the comparatively lower home prices. “The housing market is steady and steadily increasing,” Parkes says. “We don’t see the big waves like California and Florida do; we see slow increases as the community grows. Already restaurants like Jersey Mike’s and Chipotle have opened. We now have a Dunkin Donuts, a Hobby Lobby and a Starbucks, too. Having those businesses in town helps attract more buyers, while also giving residents more dining and shopping options.”
Colonial style homes line the streets of Lewistown and provide a classic look to this area.
Find an amazing Cape Cod home in Lewistown with a nice sized lot.
1/2
Transportation and health care resources in Lewistown
Covering two square miles with ample sidewalks and residential streets free of heavy traffic, Lewistown is a pedestrian- and bike-friendly town. The city also sits at the crossroads of three highways: U.S. 322 goes to State College, U.S. 22 connects with Harrisburg (55 miles away), and U.S. 522 intersects with both Interstate 76 to the south (50 miles away) and I-80 to the north (60 miles away).
Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian line stops at the Lewistown Junction Train Station, with service between Harrisburg and Altoona. With an 8% increase in Amtrak ridership within the past year, plans are also in place to add a second train to the route by 2026. Additional tracks and interlockings between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh must be laid to accommodate the extra traffic. The station’s platform and bathrooms will also be modified to bring the facility up to ADA compliance.
Geisinger Lewistown Hospital on the city’s north side is a 123-bed acute care community hospital with nationally-recognized and award-winning specialty care, from pediatrics to neurology.
From downtown shopping to uptown theater
Lewistown’s downtown starts at the town square and continues east along Main Street. Family-owned businesses thrive here in large part because the community supports them, like Downtown OIP and Grill (the “OIP” stands for “Original Italian Pizza”), an eatery heavily involved with youth sports, high school activities, community projects and social issues in town. Goose Day is celebrated downtown on September 29, a tradition observed for over two centuries. Believers eat goose on this day to ensure wealth and prosperity for the coming year. Residents are also within walking distance of the Giant grocery store and Ace Hardware on Main Street.
North of town, Weis Markets has a store in the Greater Lewistown Plaza in Burnham. The shopping center features JCPenney and Dunham’s Sports. Nearby, Cora’s Creekside Tavern serves classic burgers and wings in an upscale sports bar setting. South of town on West 4th Street, shoppers will find Lowe’s, Walmart, and several other chains and local restaurants. Wingman Brew N Que specializes in barbecue and their signature cocktails, like a blackberry bourbon mojito, to wash it down.
The Miller Cinema 6 movie theaters is downtown on West Market Street, and aficionados of live performance will want to check out the Stone Arch Players, a community theater company begun in 1967 that performs in an outdoor theater space in Kish Park.
The Downtown OIP and Grille serves up delicious food and great service to Lewistown.
Miller Cinemas 6 is a classic theater located in the heart of Lewistown.
1/2
Sports complexes, playgrounds and scenic recreational areas
Rec Park along Kishacoquillas Creek was designed for sports lovers. It features baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, a community swimming pool and a playground. The city also offers passive parks for visitors to enjoy nature, such as Victory Park on the Juniata River, which has a shaded walking path, benches and a boat launch for river access.
Kish Park north of town features a playground, a mini-golf course and a mile-long walking trail. The park’s playing fields are home to several Pony League and Little League Baseball teams and Pee Wee Football. A dog park is nearby with separate fenced-in areas for large and small dogs. Reeds Gap State Park is further north and offers 220 wooded acres with hemlocks and white pines, miles of hiking trails, and opportunities to fish in Honey Creek, which flows through the park.
Rec Park in Lewistown is a huge area with sports fields and a walking path.
Kishacoquillas Park also known as Kish Park has sports fields and room to run in Lewistown.
1/2
Public, private and professional schools serving Lewistown
The Mifflin County School District serves Lewistown and receives a C-plus from Niche. The district encompasses over 360 square miles and is considered midsized and rural. Over a decade ago, nearly half of district students came from families that lived below the federal poverty line. In 2011, the school board approved a plan to consolidate the district’s two public high schools into one and close several elementary schools due to decreasing enrollment.
The district currently consists of five elementary schools, two of which are intermediate, a middle school, a junior high school and a high school. Students at the high school level can attend the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology for vocational training in health, construction, mechanical, culinary and other trades. Sixth through 12th graders can also participate in online learning programs, including the district’s Alpha Program, which recently won a Capital Area Online Learning Association award for Model School of the Year. The K-5 Sacred Heart of Jesus is the only Catholic school in the area.
Lewistown Intermediate School is always shaping the minds of young students.
The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology serves Lewistown students 10-12.
1/2
Crime and climate numbers in Lewistown
According to the Pennsylvania State Police Uniform Reporting System, violent and property crimes in Lewistown have increased for the last five years, climbing 18 percent. Residents experience all four seasons in Lewistown with an average summertime high of 84 degrees in July and an average wintertime low of 24 degrees in January.
Don't miss this cute Ranch home in Lewistown. Great layout with tons of space. Big living room with stone hearth and gas fireplace, spacious eat in kitchen with lots of cabinets and appliances included. 2 bedrooms and a nice full bathroom. Also has a walk up attic with great space and a full basement. A great feature feature is the covered back porch, large 2 car carport, and the covered front
Looking for an investment property? This is a great income producing property. 2 residential units and a 3 bay garage all rented. First floor unit consists of 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, full bath. 2nd floor offers 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, full bath. Laundry unit in basement. Off street parking, and on street parking available. This home could also be converted into a large single
2 homes for one price, this property features two entirely separate houses, both use the same well and on public sewer. Fix these up just how you would like them and enjoy the views of the mountainside. Lots of space and privacy.
Check out this renovated one bedroom one bath apartment! These beautiful apartments feature a lot of natural lighting. This building is being completely renovated. All the flooring, paint, appliances and cabinets are brand new. This apartment is ready for you. If you are looking for a fresh and clean living space, this gem is just the place for you. Tenant pays all utilities.No smoking or
Furnished rental perfect for travelling medical personel and contract/mobile workers, Large living room with internet TV and dining area with coffee station. Kitchen is fully stocked and has full size fridge. Stacked washer/dryer in closet for convenience. Bedroom has queen sized bed, huge closet, and linens. Bathroom has lovely tiled shower/tub unit. Just blocks from the Geisinger School
Furnished studio apartment perfect for traveling medical personel, contract workers, and others. Unit has new appliances, new bathroom, laminate flooring, and basic kitchen needs. Short distance to Geisinger School of Nursing, and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. One owner is realtor.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Matthew Parkes,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: 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.
