Quarries, farms and rivers define rural Meshoppen
Located on a bend of the Susquehanna River, Meshoppen is a small, rural borough in Wyoming County, approximately 33 miles from Scranton. According to reporting by the U.S. Census Bureau, the community had a population of less than 350 residents in 2020. Meshoppen’s economic and industrial landscape is heavily influenced by Meshoppen Stone, Inc., a massive bluestone supplier that serves businesses and clients throughout the country. The company operates a large quarry in town: "It's one of the biggest local employers in Meshoppen," says Carl Wilcox, a local real estate agent with Pinnacle Real Estate & Property Mgmt. "Proctor & Gamble is also just beyond the town, so that's a big employment hub over there, as well. There are a lot of factory jobs and jobs related to natural gas up there." Miles of surrounding farmland help prop up the agricultural industry in this area. "People come out here for the country lifestyle, for the space, for the mountains and the scenic lookouts," Wilcox says. Meshoppen has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 4, lower than the national average score of 4.
Spacious lots and housing variety
Meshoppen has a varied selection of housing styles and properties, but the area is dominated by rural single-family homes on spacious properties. There’s a mix of farmhouses, newer ranch styles and some homes with Craftsman-style architecture. On average, homes are only listed for 4 days on the market before they sell, which is an incredibly short amount of time compared to the national average of 70 days. Turnkey single-family homes range from approximately $120,000 to $580,000, with contemporary ranch styles and newer builds on the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
Zoning for Elk Lake School District
Students living in Meshoppen are zoned for the Elk Lake School District, which receives an overall C-plus rating from Niche. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can attend Elk Lake Elementary School, a C-plus-rated institution, while grades seven through 12 are served by the C-rated Elk Lake Junior/Senior High School.
Recreation along the Susquehanna River and Meshoppen Creek
Much of the borough’s outdoor recreation is centered around the Susquehanna River and Meshoppen Creek, a tributary that branches off the river and runs through town. "The Susquehanna River flows along the whole south side of Meshoppen, right past the only stop light in town," Wilcox says. Popular waterfront activities include fishing, kayaking and rafting down the rushing waters when it’s warm out. Approximately 2 miles from Meshoppen is the Slumber Valley Campground, a large outdoor area with more than 80 campsites and quick access to hiking trails, wildlife observation spots and Meshoppen Creek activities. "One of the biggest local draws out here in the summertime is actually the Wyoming County Fair, which is hosted right here in Meshoppen," Wilcox says.
Limited shopping and dining in Meshoppen
While commercial amenities are limited in Meshoppen, the borough does have a handful of convenience stores and mom-and-pop shops for basic needs. Marty’s Market sells everyday groceries and fresh produce items, while Dandy’s is a gas station chain with a mini mart that sells snacks and vehicle upkeep products. Meshoppen Pizza is the only restaurant in town and offers both dine-in and take-out options. "Meshoppen Pizza is the big local place to eat," Wilcox says. For a selection of big-box stores, supermarkets and national retailers, Wilcox says that residents drive 10 miles into nearby Tunkhannock, which has a Walmart, Weis Markets grocery store, Tractor Supply Co. and various chain and local restaurant options.
Getting around Wyoming County
Meshoppen is a heavily car-dependent area, and there are no public transit options available. The borough sits 33 miles from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre urban area, which translates to a 50-minute drive. Route 6, also known as Roosevelt Highway, runs through town and into nearby communities like Tunkhannock, approximately 10 miles from Meshoppen. "Route 6 is everything in Meshoppen," Wilcox says. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is about 35 miles away, or an hour-long drive. The nearest 24-hour emergency room is located at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City, located just under 33 miles from Meshoppen. "There's also Guthrie Hospital, which used to be called Tyler Memorial, but that acts more like a band-aid hospital rather than a fully-operational facility," Wilcox says.
