Packer is a countryside township not far from urban Hazleton
Packer is a small, rural township in the foothills of northeast Pennsylvania’s Carbon County, which was heavily influenced by the late 19th and early 20th century coal industry boom. Today, coal mining has cooled off in this area; instead, the community is more focused on the agricultural industry, as evidenced by the township’s farmlands. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent report, Packer had a population of just over 1,000 residents in 2020, representing a slight increase from the 2010 census. The township is less than 8 miles away from the small city of Hazleton, which offers a range of urban amenities, including a burgeoning downtown area, commercial chains, healthcare services and interstate access. For regional outdoor recreation options, locals can head to Jim Thorpe, a destination town only 15 minutes away. “The town of Jim Thorpe is very accessible, and they’ve got a ton of outdoor activities and tourist attractions over there. That’s where you’ll find all the local hiking and whatnot,” says Timothy Klotz, a local Broker/Owner of TNT Premier Real Estate with over two decades of experience selling properties in this area. Packer residents also benefit from the proximity of Interstates 81 and 476; entrance ramps to both highways are about 15 miles away. Packer Township has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Buyers find privacy and space in Packer’s housing mix
Homes are rarely listed for sale in Packer Township. In the last year, only one single-family home, a Craftsman-style bungalow, was sold for $180,000. The median home value in Packer is estimated at $340,000, slightly lower than the average home value for the entirety of the Lehigh Valley Metro Area. Generally speaking, homes closer to the bordering Weatherly borough are typically newer and on the higher end of Packer’s housing cost range. Throughout the township, potential homebuyers can find a mix of ranch styles, split-levels, farmhouses and traditional-style homes that sit on large lots and the offer privacy of surrounding trees and natural landscapes.
A wealth of outdoor recreation in Carbon County
Located in a rural landscape and surrounded by the mountains of northeast Pennsylvania, people living in Packer Township have proximity to an abundance of outdoor recreation. Quakake Creeks runs through the community and is popular for trout fishing. Near Weatherly, the RoundStone Camping Resort is a nearly 400-acre area in the mountains that offers tent sites and log cabins for weekend getaways. In Weatherly, people can visit Eurana Park and its disc golf course or explore 6,000 acres of the Lehigh Gorge State Park via the Rockport access point. Running through the state park is the popular Delaware & Lehigh trail, also known as the D&L, a 165-mile corridor that follows a historic coal route through the mountains. “Lots of people head over to Lehigh Gorge and Jim Thorpe to access the D&L – it’s a very popular hiking trail and connects a lot of communities across the county and beyond,” Klotz says.
Students attend Weatherly Area schools
Students in Packer Township are zoned for the Weatherly Area School District, which receives an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Weatherly Area Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade and is rated C-plus. Weatherly Area Middle School also receives a C-plus rating, while Weatherly Area High School is rated B-minus. Secondary students also have the option to attend the Carbon Career and Technical Institute (CCTI) located in Jim Thorpe. The CCTI offers more than a dozen specialized courses for professions like pharmacy and welding, as well as certification programs for things like forklift operation and PennDOT safety inspection.
Limited shopping and dining in Packer Township
Packer Township has minimal options for shopping and dining, so most residents head to Hazleton, Weatherly and Jim Thorpe for a larger range of commercial amenities. The only restaurant in Packer is Still Creek Tavern, a local spot with a bar and pool tables next to the sit-down dining area. Also in the township is Sernak Farms, which features a fresh produce stand that sells seasonal goods, including pumpkins in fall and Christmas trees during the holidays. Approximately 10 miles from Packer and located in Hazle Township just outside Hazleton is The Laurel Mall, a large indoor shopping complex with dozens of national retailers, department stores and chain eateries. Adjacent to the mall is a Walmart Supercenter, where people can browse groceries and various everyday household items. Weatherly has a Dollar General and a handful of local eateries.
Route 93 connects commuters to Hazleton and Nesquehoning
Packer residents are almost entirely dependent on their cars to get places, but the only numbered highway that runs through the township is Pennsylvania Route 93. That route travels up into nearby Hazleton and, in the opposite direction, merges with U.S. Route 209 in the neighboring borough of Nesquehoning. Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Hazleton campus is less than 7 miles from Packer and has a 24-hour emergency department. The nearest major airport offering regular commercial flights is the Lehigh Valley International Airport, roughly 35 miles from the township, typically an hour-long drive.
