Industrial roots and a slower pace of life in Mahanoy
Mahanoy is a rural township surrounding the independent borough of Mahanoy City. The two communities are part of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region and have a long industrial history dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “All of the towns deteriorated after coal wasn’t as prominent, but they’re working to come back,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors and a Schuylkill County native. Although industrial activity continues in Mahanoy at mining companies like Skytop Coal and Blaschak Anthracite, the township attracts those looking for a quieter life outside the town center of Mahanoy City. Mahanoy also has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Residential villages offer a rural-suburban blend, with few listings
Mahanoy has several residential villages where houses sit along tree-lined streets. National-style homes with shed-roofed porches are the norm here, with ranch-style, split-level and Cape Cod-style homes scattered throughout the township. Twin homes are also common in communities like Morea and Park Place. Residents enjoy a blend of rural and suburban living, as these villages offer a neighborhood-like feel in a countryside setting. Two mine subsidence events have been recorded in Mahanoy, one in 2016 and one in 2024, and Pennsylvania homeowners can purchase mine subsidence insurance to protect against damage caused by earth movement near old mines.
Properties rarely come on the market in Mahanoy. Only three homes sold in 2024, with prices ranging from $130,000 for a three-bedroom ranch-style house to $185,000 for a four-bedroom National-style home. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in the township was just above $90,000 in mid-2025, about half the average home value across the greater Pottsville metro area.
The Mahanoy Area School District scores C-range ratings from Niche
Residents live in the Mahanoy Area School District. The district earns an overall grade of C-minus from Niche and consists of two schools: Mahanoy Area Elementary School and Mahanoy Area Junior/Senior High School. The elementary school scores a C from Niche, while the junior/senior high school receives a C-plus. High schoolers can enroll in Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses to earn college credit, and those who apply to the county’s Schuylkill Technology Center may pursue pathways in career and technical education.
From Parente Family Park to Locust Lake, recreation is close by
Parente Family Park is a small green space in the village of Park Place. It features a playground, picnic pavilion and an open grassy area with room for outdoor activities. Residents can head to Mahanoy City for more recreational opportunities. The borough is home to the Mahanoy Area Public Library and offers green spaces like East End Park, which has a playground and various athletic facilities.
Outdoor enthusiasts are less than a 10-mile drive from Locust Lake State Park. The lake itself is a popular spot for boating and fishing, with trout and bass being the most common catches. It also has a sandy beach where visitors can go swimming. For golfers, the public Mountain Valley Golf Course is about 5 miles from Mahanoy.
Downtown Mahanoy City has the essentials alongside local favorites
The shopping and dining scene here centers around downtown Mahanoy City. While some of its storefronts are vacant, spots such as Mahanoy City Food Store, Family Dollar and Morris Drugs ensure locals have access to everyday necessities. Restaurants include The 123 Cafe, known for its classic diner-style breakfasts. McNiff’s Irish Pub offers casual bar food, with chandeliers casting a warm glow over its wood-paneled walls. For bigger errand runs, stores like Redner’s Warehouse Markets, Walmart and Home Depot are less than 15 miles from Mahanoy.
Mahanoy City hosts annual events for township and borough residents
Most community events take place in Mahanoy City. Residents can head into the borough for various seasonal festivities, including an annual tree lighting ceremony that kicks off the holiday season with twinkling lights and horse-drawn carriage rides. In September, Mahanoy City Community Day honors the area’s industrial roots with scenic train rides through Mahanoy Tunnel, a major route for transporting coal through the region.
Mahanoy is car dependent, with access to major roadways
Residents here live in a heavily car-dependent area and typically rely on their own cars to get around. The township’s main thoroughfares are Pennsylvania Routes 54 and 309 and Interstate 81. Pottsville and Hazleton are less than 20 miles from Mahanoy, with bigger cities like Allentown and Scranton about 60 miles away. Both Lehigh Valley International Airport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport are around 50 miles from the township. Healthcare is available at St. Luke’s University Hospital Miners Campus, which is about 15 miles away and is a Level IV Trauma Center.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
