Mahanoy City blends coal region heritage with revitalization efforts
Mahanoy City is a former industrial town that developed alongside Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “Back in the day, the whole northern part of Schuylkill County was coal towns,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors who has more than 20 years of experience in real estate. While coal no longer reigns supreme in the region, Mahanoy City continues to honor its industrial legacy at sites like Molly Maguire Historical Park, a memorial honoring the coal miners who lost their lives here in the 19th century. More recently, this borough of fewer than 4,000 is working to breathe new life into its homes and its walkable downtown community as it continues to offer comparatively low home prices less than 15 miles from the county seat of Pottsville.
The housing market shows rising occupancy and comparatively low prices
A mix of rowhouses, twin homes and detached single-family homes sit side-by-side on the borough’s narrow streets. Most properties were built from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries to accommodate the number of workers moving to the area during the region’s anthracite coal boom. However, Mahanoy City has historically struggled with high vacancy rates, and data from the 2020 U.S. Census shows the vacancy rate at just over 32%. The borough was released from distressed municipality status in February 2023 after reporting an increase in occupancy permits, with many of its homes undergoing renovations. Prices typically range from $20,000 for properties needing repairs to $120,000 for those with renovations. As of July 2025, the average home value in Mahanoy City is around $60,000, less than half of the average home value across the Pottsville Metro Area.
Downtown revitalization centers around businesses and restaurants
Over the past decade, Mahanoy City has invested significant money into improving its downtown business district along Centre and Main Streets. Although some storefronts remain empty, new businesses like Millie’s Multiservice, a one-stop shop for notaries, are opening their doors to serve the community. Stores such as Mahanoy City Food Store, Family Dollar, Morris Drugs and Dollar General ensure residents can access the essentials. Downtown also features a strong local dining scene, including classic diner food from The 123 Cafe and laid-back bar food at local hangouts like M & M Redzone and McNiff’s Irish Pub. City Seafood & Steakhouse is another local favorite, serving up surf n’ turf over white tablecloths. When it’s time to run errands, residents can head 10 miles southwest to the Coal Creek Commerce Center and shop at Walmart or Home Depot.
Residents live in the C-rated Mahanoy Area School District
The Mahanoy Area School District earns an overall grade of C-minus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The C-rated Mahanoy Area Elementary School covers kindergarten through sixth grade, while the C-plus-rated Mahanoy Area Junior/Senior High School serves seventh through 12th grade. Course offerings at the high school include Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses through which juniors and seniors can earn college credit.
Recreation includes parks, a community garden and a public library
The borough has a few small green spaces. Kaier’s Park occupies the space where the abandoned Kaier’s Brewery once stood, transforming a blighted building into a green space with a playground, picnic pavilion and outdoor fitness equipment. Residents can shoot hoops on the basketball court at North 8th Street Park, or head to Herman’s Park and rent a plot from the borough’s community garden. East End Park offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, with a playground, swing set, basketball court and two ball fields. The Mahanoy Area Public Library supports the community with various programs, including story times and educational summer camps for kids.
The annual Mahanoy City Community Day honors the borough’s past
Each September, Mahanoy City Community Day invites locals to step back in time to the borough’s heyday as the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad offers scenic train rides through the historic Mahanoy Tunnel. The festivities continue downtown as the borough’s main street hosts a block party complete with vendors, food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities for all ages.
Bus routes and highways link residents to the rest of the region
Narrow sidewalks line most of the borough’s gridded streets and ensure residents can access Schuylkill Transportation System bus stops. The bus travels between Mahanoy City and Shenandoah every Monday through Saturday, connecting riders to destinations like Boyer’s Food Markets. For those who prefer to drive, Pennsylvania Route 54 passes through the borough and leads 2 miles southeast to Interstate 81. The interstate offers a direct route to bigger cities like Scranton, about 60 miles away, and Harrisburg, around 70 miles from the borough. Residents are also within 50 miles of Allentown and the Lehigh Valley International Airport. Healthcare is available at St. Luke’s University Hospital Miners Campus, about 15 miles from Mahanoy City.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
