Old Forge

Old Forge

Located in Lackawanna County

$223,184 Average Value
$145 Average Price per Sq Ft
19 Homes For Sale

A scenic borough with history

About 5 miles southwest of the Electric City between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre is the quiet borough of Old Forge. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the Lackawanna River, with a view of the scenic Pocono Mountains, Old Forge offers breathtaking natural beauty. The borough’s original use was to be a forge for converting ore into iron, with roots dating back to the 18th century. Now, the neighborhood has its signature claim to fame as the Pizza Capital of the World, serving Old Forge-style, square pizza in over 160 different shops. Homebuyers come to Old Forge for its lower taxes compared to nearby, more populated areas, such as Scranton. Residents have built a strong, close community, participating in events and cheering on the local Blue Devils in football. Small businesses, CVS, Rite Aid and other markets are available for essentials in the borough, but residents are also close to the big-name stores, such as the Walmart Supercenter or the Giant, further north in Scranton. The closest medical facility, Geisinger Community Medical Center, is within 6 miles of the borough, as well. Old Forge converges history, community, nature and pizza to create a unique borough of Lackawanna County.

The Pizza Capital of the World

In Old Forge, pizzas are square, and people order it by the “tray.” The borough has been making pizza since the 1920s, whereas in perspective, Chicago Deep Dish was not invented until 1943. The Ghigiarelli Family started making pizza for Italian coal miners for a late-night snack after working all day. Miners would come to the family’s restaurant to play cards, wind down and indulge in homemade pizza. Now, locals flock to restaurants such as Arcaro and Gennell, Anthony’s and Revello’s, to name a few. There is a balance between small markets, locally owned businesses and bigger stores in Old Forge. For example, CVS and Rite Aid are available in town, but there is also the community Old Forge Pharmacy. The Walmart Supercenter and Giant are about 3 and 6 miles away, respectively.

Come and grab what you need at Rossi's Market in Old Forge, PA.
Come and grab what you need at Rossi's Market in Old Forge, PA.
Largo's Place in Old Forge, PA serves up amazing sandwiches and pastas.
Largo's Place in Old Forge, PA serves up amazing sandwiches and pastas.
Old Forge, PA is known for their different delicious pizzas.
Old Forge, PA is known for their different delicious pizzas.
Come for the great flavors of Mary Lou's Pizza in Old Forge, PA.
Come for the great flavors of Mary Lou's Pizza in Old Forge, PA.
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Various home sizes in Old Forge

Old Forge offers an array of homes catering to various budgets and preferences. Traditional- and ranch-style homes are popular in the borough and typically sell between $100,000 and $300,000. Larger traditional- and Colonial-style, and sometimes even Victorian homes, tend to start around $400,000. Residential streets have hilly terrain, so some homes are strategically built on a slant, with attached garages and driveways on the lower level of the property. Homes tend to have backyards, and more spacious plots have front lawns, as well. Many residential streets lack sidewalks, but residents agree that the borough is still relatively walkable. “There are a lot of small businesses, banks, salons, everything is within walking distance,” says Christine Kovaleski, local Realtor for around 30 years at ERA One Source Realty.

Live in a beautiful brick façade craftsman style home in Old Forge, PA.
Live in a beautiful brick façade craftsman style home in Old Forge, PA.
Residents in Old Forge, PA enjoy spacious living with garages in their craftsman style homes.
Residents in Old Forge, PA enjoy spacious living with garages in their craftsman style homes.
Live amongst friendly neighbors at Old Forge, PA.
Live amongst friendly neighbors at Old Forge, PA.
Residents of Old Forge, PA live in spacious colonial style homes.
Residents of Old Forge, PA live in spacious colonial style homes.
Cozy bungalow homes in Old Forge, PA are perfect for a starter home.
Cozy bungalow homes in Old Forge, PA are perfect for a starter home.
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Old Forge School District

The Old Forge School District, rated C-plus on Niche, serves the borough. Children can attend Old Forge Elementary School, which scores a C-plus on Niche. Elementary students can participate in various activities, such as music lessons and theater. Old Forge Junior-Senior High School also earns a C-plus. The whole community comes together to cheer on the Blue Devils football team and throw fundraisers. These events include Designer Bag Bingo, where participants can support the school district by purchasing bingo cards and raffle tickets for a chance to win a luxury purse.

Old Forge Elementary School is a good school to enroll your child.
Old Forge Elementary School is a good school to enroll your child.
Enroll your child at Old Forge Junior High School and watch them grow.
Enroll your child at Old Forge Junior High School and watch them grow.
Students at Old Forge High School enjoy a safe and comfortable place to study and learn.
Students at Old Forge High School enjoy a safe and comfortable place to study and learn.
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Lackawanna County outdoor adventures

Miles Street Community Park offers a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts and green space for Old Forge residents. While there are few established parks in the borough, there are plenty of options in the surrounding Lackawanna County. Popular activities include camping, hiking and fishing in the mountains and along the Lackawanna River. Residents go to McDade Park for its arboretum, walking and biking trails and pools and playground, just 4 miles away. “McDade Park is a really popular spot in the county. It has everything there,” Kovaleski says.

Mile Street Community Park in Old Forge is a great place to watch and cheer on your local teams.
Mile Street Community Park in Old Forge is a great place to watch and cheer on your local teams.
Lackawanna River is a beautiful place to visit while living in Old Forge, PA.
Lackawanna River is a beautiful place to visit while living in Old Forge, PA.
Beautiful nature awaits you just outside your window at Old Forge, PA.
Beautiful nature awaits you just outside your window at Old Forge, PA.
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Christmas spirit of Snow Forge

The annual extravaganza, Snow Forge, transforms the borough into a winter wonderland each year. The event includes horse and carriage rides, visits with Santa, vendors, a Jingle Bell Jog and other festive activities. Residents work to adorn the town with twinkling lights, and the event attracts locals around the county.

COLTS and proximity to I-81

Locals can take the County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) bus around the county, or hop on major highways close by, such as Interstates 81 and 84 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is only a few miles away from the borough and offers daily direct flights to cities such as New York and Orlando.

Public transportation is reliable in Old Forge, PA.
Public transportation is reliable in Old Forge, PA.
Yanan Sun
Photography Contributed By
Yanan Sun

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Charisse Messina, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Old Forge Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$249,950
Median Sale Price
$243,017
Median Single Family Sale Price
$249,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
60
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$21
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$145

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
19
Months of Supply
3.80

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Old Forge Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
8,443
Median Age
45
Population under 18
21.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$70,077
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,942

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
30.7%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
37''
Disclaimer: 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.
Old Forge