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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Written By
Christopher Kopczynski
Photography Contributed By
Alan Battles
Video By
Adam Lapallo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Lewistown, PA sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Lewistown, PA over the last 12 months is $167,825, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled on a generous 0.31-acre lot, this charming, manufactured home offers a perfect blend of comfort and modern living. The residence has been thoughtfully designed to create an inviting atmosphere that feels like home from the moment you step inside. As you enter, you are greeted by an open floor plan that seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas, making it ideal for both
Beautiful 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath home located in the heart of Lewistown. This property features an open concept living and dining area with hardwood floors and abundant natural light creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.Outside, enjoy a manageable yard ideal for relaxing or outdoor activities, along with a garage providing secure parking and additional storage space. Conveniently situated
Ana LopezJack Gaughen Network Services Hower & Associates
Welcome to this beautifully remodeled ranch home offering the ease and convenience of one-floor living with modern updates throughout! Step through the front door into a bright, open-concept living area that flows seamlessly into the kitchen, creating the perfect space for everyday living and entertaining.To the left of the home, you'll find two comfortable bedrooms, each featuring its own
Really nice 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, first floor has living room, dining room kitchen, full bath, laundry room and a very large family room; upstairs has 4 bedrooms & full bath; detached 3 car garage
Beautiful log home on 2.7 private acres-Welcome to this charming 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath log home; peacefully situated on 2.7 private acres and offering the perfect blend of character, comfort, and country living. Inside, you'll find a warm and inviting layout featuring convenient first floor laundry and plenty of space to make the home your own. A New roof installed in 2025 provides added peace of
This home features 5 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, with a bathroom conveniently located on both the first and second floors. All 5 bedrooms are situated on the second floor. The main level includes a spacious living room, dining room, and a kitchen, as well as an additional versatile room off the kitchen that can be used for storage or tailored to your specific needs. Outside, the property
Welcome to 622 W 5th St in Lewistown. This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home offers convenient one floor living in a location close to downtown. The interior features luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout much of the home along with a bright living area and functional kitchen space. Outside you’ll find a covered front porch and a usable backyard.
UNIQUE RANCHER ON NO OUTLET STREET WITH EXTRA BUILDING LOT!This 3-4 bedroom brick & vinyl, rancher sits on a 0.43 ac lot with an adjacent 1.28 ac building lot with all utilities available for connection at the street. Total lot size is 1.41 ac with gorgeous views, wildlife and room for future gardens, pool, etc. The main level has a hardwood entry foyer, living room with brick fireplace and
Richard SmeltzSmeltz and Aumiller Real Estate, LLC.
Vacant lot in the Borough of Lewistown. Manufacturing-Industrial zoning allows for this lot to be used for many different uses. Public utilities are available. This lot could be used for residential or commercial uses.
Investor Alert – 3 Properties, 7+ Units, Massive Upside in Lewistown Monthly NOI $9433 to $5834 Annual NOI $113,196 to $70,008 Cap Rate once stabilized 23.8% 14.7% Opportunities like this don’t come around often. This unique package includes three adjoining properties offering a mix of stabilized income, value-add potential, and significant upside. 170 Valley St – 5 Unit Building (Partially
Quaint well maintained home with many upgrades including new roof, new electric wiring, new tilt in windows & much more! (See updated list) 1 bedroom down & 1 bedroom up! Large living room with front foyer and open staircase! Lovely kitchen with appliances! Nice level lot & 1 car detached garage! Full basement with newer washer, dryer, dehumidifier & chest freezer included!
Welcome to this 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home in Lewistown, perfectly situated just moments from the scenic Juniata River. Whether you’re looking for everyday comfort or a place to enjoy the outdoors, this property offers the best of both worlds.Inside, you’ll find a functional layout with spacious living areas, three bedrooms, and the convenience of a half bath to complement the main full
This 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment at 213 N Grand St offers 670 square feet of living space. The living room provides ample room for relaxation and features natural light. The bedroom is designed for comfort and includes sufficient closet space. The bathroom is equipped with standard fixtures. The unit includes a washer/dryer hookup for added convenience. The exterior of the property features a
Recently updated 2 bedroom apartment comes with hickory kitchen cabinets and appliances. Laminate flooring throughout. Bath has full tub/shower unit and nice vanity. Just blocks from Geisinger School of Nursing and downtown, and easy walk to Rec Park and the pool. Unit has electric heat. Comcast is available in the unity. Application fee $45. Tenant pays utilities. Pets and smoking are not
Welcome to 16 Woods, where rustic meets modern convenience! This beautifully updated home retains its original character while featuring high-end upgrades throughout. From refinished pine floors to a fully updated kitchen and bathroom, every detail has been thoughtfully designed for comfort and style. ? Interior Highlights: Gorgeous Original Pine Floors - Expertly sanded, stained in a warm golden
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