$233,956Average Value$166Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Palmerton is a tight-knit enclave in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania
A small-town spirit and a history of industry define Palmerton. This Carbon County borough, about 87 miles northwest of Philadelphia, rests between the Blue Mountains and a swath of farmland along the Lehigh River. The enclave was established in the early 1900s, when the New Jersey Zinc Company opened two plants and built the community to house its workers. The borough’s name honors the company’s then-president, Stephen S. Palmer. Today, zinc-related industry remains a pillar of Palmerton’s economy. The borough is home to roughly 5,600 people enjoying the region’s natural beauty and outdoor adventure, as well as a historic downtown stretch, home to mom-and-pop shops and local restaurants. “It’s a very giving and generous community that looks out for its neighbors. People are always willing to lend a hand,” says Susan Arner, a resident for over 40 years. “People moving here feel it’s a safe, tight-knit community and want to get away from the city. They like the school district and what the community has to offer.”
Palmerton’s tight-knit community thrives beneath the rolling Blue Mountain ridge.
Palmerton Pub is within walking distance of the downtown area.
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Palmerton homes feature architecture unique to Pennsylvania
Most homes in Palmerton sit close together on wide gridded streets named after colleges and universities like Princeton and Columbia. Garden beds and a few ornamental trees adorn small front yards framed by sidewalks. Sheds and detached garages dot backyards that often have driveways connecting to alleyways. Lots are typically less than a tenth of an acre, but properties farther from downtown typically rest on larger lots. The Residence Park neighborhood offers a more suburban vibe with homes lining winding streets shaded by mature trees. Palmerton features architectural styles commonly found throughout Pennsylvania, like American Foursquare twin homes, Upright and Wing homes, and Pennsylvania German Double Door Farmhouses. Familiar styles like Colonial Revival, Georgian and Federal are also available. The median price for a single-family home is around $250,000, well below the national figure, and prices range from less than $100,000 to around $570,000. Potential buyers should note that with several creeks running through Palmerton and the Lehigh River nearby, many properties have some risk of flooding, according to FEMA flood maps.
American Foursquare twin homes are a common sight in Palmerton.
Pennsylvania German Double Door Farmhouses are popular in Palmerton.
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Palmerton parks and outdoor adventures in Lehigh Valley
Palmerton has a few parks, including centrally located Borough Park. The park features a playground, open green space with walking paths and the Palmerton Area Veterans Memorial. Palmerton Memorial Park is a summer hotspot with a swimming pool featuring a spiraling waterslide and diving boards. Nearby, golfers can tee off on a public 18-hole course at Blue Shamrock Golf Club. A stretch of the Appalachian Trail crosses the Kittatinny Ridge south of town. Several trails meet at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, home to a nearly 800-acre wildlife refuge that was once a Superfund site. Superfund sites are areas that were cleaned up after having been deemed to be among the country’s most contaminated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Lehigh Gap Boat Launch is down the road from the nature center, allowing residents to get out onto the Lehigh River, which is popular for tubing and fishing. Blue Mountain Resort, less than 10 miles from Palmerton, offers snow sports and mountain biking. Several state parks are in the region. Beltzville State Park is the closest and features a large lake with a sandy beach for swimming and boating.
Locals enjoy the swings and other activities at Borough Park.
The creek that runs through Borough Park is a popular spot.
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Fair fun for a good cause at Palmerton Community Festival
Palmerton buzzes with activity on the weekend after Labor Day during the annual Palmerton Community Festival. The fair-like celebration, held at Borough Park, features rides, games, classic carnival food, craft vendors and performances by the Palmerton Community Band, which has been in existence for more than a century. A few thousand people attend the event each day, according to Arner, one of the organizers. “It’s very rewarding. We’ve got a great group of volunteers. You see what it does for the community,” Arner says. “The festival provides a means for local nonprofits to raise funds for their causes. For many of the groups, it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year. For some, it’s the only fundraiser.” The Palmerton Lions Club and the S.S. Palmer/Parkside PTO are two of the participating organizations.
The Palmerton Historic District has a love for small businesses and pizza
The Blue Mountain Ridge peeks out from between century-old buildings lining Delaware Avenue in downtown Palmerton, also known as the Palmerton Historic District. Here, small businesses, services and restaurants sit between institutions like the Borough Hall, St. Luke’s Health Center - Palmerton and the Palmerton Historical Society and Heritage Center, where residents can explore local history. While restaurants offer a range of cuisine from American and Mexican to Chinese, Arner highlights the community’s plethora of pizzerias: “Each one is very unique in some of their offerings,” she says. “Papa Al’s is known for their Italian specialty dishes. There are various sandwiches and pizza toppings at Tony’s. Siro’s has other Italian offerings you don’t see at other places and Joey Bs has a family-friendly tavern atmosphere.” Grocery shoppers most often head to Country Harvest Family Market. Supermarket chains like Aldi and Giant and national retailers such as Walmart Supercenter and Lowe’s Home Improvement are in Lehighton, about 8 miles away.
Local businesses such as Silver Scissors Salon line Delaware Ave in Palmerton.
Palmerton locals enjoy a drink at One Ten Tavern.
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Public and private education options in Palmerton
The Palmerton Area School District receives a C-plus overall rating from Niche. Most students in Palmerton attend the same four schools, starting with Parkside Education Center, which earns a B rating and serves kindergarten and first grade. Students can move on to the C-plus-rated Stephen S. Palmer Elementary for second through sixth grade. Palmerton Area Junior High gets a C-plus. The school shares a campus with Palmerton Area High, which also receives a C-plus rating. Palmerton is home to the private Saint John Neumann Regional School. The Catholic school, which Niche does not yet rate, offers kindergarten through eighth grade.
The teachers at Parkside Education Center receive top marks from Niche.com.
Students finish up their schooling at Palmerton Area High School.
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Highway access and public transportation options in Palmerton
The urban layout of Palmerton provides some walkability for those who live on the blocks surrounding downtown. Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority bus stops dot the borough and take riders to destinations like Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
For those who prefer to travel by car, State Route 248 parallels the Lehigh River and connects Palmerton to nearby communities like Bowmanstown and Lehighton. State Route 145 heads to Allentown, the nearest city less than 20 miles away. It’s home to Lehigh Valley International Airport. The closest on-ramp for Interstate 476, a major highway through northeast Pennsylvania, is about an 8-mile drive from Palmerton to Franklin Township.
Palmerton receives about 30 inches of snow annually. From November to April, the borough has snow removal regulations that impact parking when snowfall is above two inches.
The Palmerton Zinc Pile and a low risk of crime
Palmerton is home to a Superfund Site tied to the community’s beginnings as an industry town for zinc smelting. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the so-called Palmerton Zinc Pile contains heavy metals that impact Blue Mountain, Aquashicola Creek and nearby groundwater and surface water. While a majority of impacted properties have been remediated, the EPA says residents should not have direct contact or ingest contaminated water from this area and should not eat fish from Aquashicola Creek.
The risk of crime is relatively low in Palmerton. Between January 2023 and January 2025, the Palmerton Borough Police Department reported only 5 incidents of violent crime, according to the Pennsylvania Unform Crime Reporting System. In that same time period, the department reported 83 incidents of property crime.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
Video By
Drew Webster
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristen Obert,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Palmerton, PA sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Palmerton, PA over the last 12 months is $241,750, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the perfect blend of modern style and inviting comfort at 601 Fireline Road, a newly constructed 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath ranch nestled in the heart of Bowmanstown. Sunlight fills the home, highlighting its bright, airy design and thoughtful layout, all set against a peaceful wooded backdrop just minutes from the natural beauty of the Poconos. Step inside to a flowing open-concept floor
Set on six acres, this beautifully designed contemporary estate provides sweeping mountain vistas and looks directly toward Blue Mountain Ski Area. Convenient access to Routes 209 and 476 means local amenities and outdoor adventures are always within reach, and the home's competitive pricing makes it even more appealing. The Great Room welcomes guests with striking real stone details and a grand
2020-built CUSTOM luxury home in a highly desirable cul-de-sac setting, offering dramatic architecture, top-of-the-line finishes, smart-home features, impressive mechanical systems, and a private wooded backdrop. From the natural stone exterior to the expansive open-concept interior, this home was designed with quality, comfort, and everyday functionality in mind. The curb appeal is exceptional,
Introducing this affordable, new ranch-style home in the charming Palmerton Borough! Lightly lived in and well maintained, this modular home offers the benefits of new construction without the wait. Step inside to a bright, open-concept layout connecting the living room, kitchen, and dining area—ideal for everyday living and entertaining. The home features 2 bedrooms, a full bath, and convenient
Showings available weekdays and weekends. Charming three-bedroom twin situated on a spacious lot with a garage in the highly desirable Palmerton School District. This well-maintained home offers a formal living room, formal dining room, and a generously sized eat-in kitchen—ideal for everyday living and entertaining. Just off the kitchen, you'll find a full bathroom and a convenient mudroom with
This 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch home sits on a desirable corner lot and offers a fantastic opportunity to build equity with a little elbow grease. Featuring a full basement for added storage or future living space, this home is full of potential for the right buyer. The property backs to a peaceful creek, providing a serene natural backdrop and added privacy. With solid bones and a great layout,
Welcome to this 1200+ sq ft twin home in the heart of beautiful Palmerton! Ideally located on Delaware Avenue and within walking distance to local restaurants, shops, parks and more. This home features a HUGE living room, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, laundry on the first floor, hardwood floors, an oversized 1 car garage and a fenced yard. This home has both convenience and charm and offers potential to
Discover an unparalleled opportunity to craft your dream home on this magnificent 5+ acre parcel, nestled in a tranquil setting that promises both serenity and accessibility. This expansive lot offers ample space for a custom residence, providing the perfect canvas to design a living space tailored to your every desire. Enjoy the privacy and peace that comes with owning a generous piece of land,
Discover an unparalleled opportunity to craft your dream home on this magnificent 5+ acre parcel, nestled in a tranquil setting that promises both serenity and accessibility. This expansive lot offers ample space for a custom residence, providing the perfect canvas to design a living space tailored to your every desire. Enjoy the privacy and peace that comes with owning a generous piece of land,
Chad FritzingerKoehler-Marvin Realty Brokerage, LLC
Welcome to 77 Avenue A in Palmerton! This move-in ready twin home offers 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, and a spacious open layout with plenty of natural light throughout. The large kitchen provides ample cabinet and counter space, opening nicely into the living area for easy everyday living and entertaining. Enjoy the convenience of off-street parking for two vehicles, a generous yard, and a large
Fully renovated, second-floor one-bedroom apartment inPalmerton featuring a private entrance and plenty of natural light. Theapartment offers a spacious layout and very nice updates. On and off street parking available. Utilitiesincluded: lawn/shrubbery care and snow/ice removal. Tenants areresponsible for all other utilities. Move-in costs: First month's rent, security,and
Welcome to this cozy, recently updated, 3 bedroom 1 bathroom unit with washer/dryer hookup in Palmerton! No smoking. Pets allowed for an additional fee with completion of petscreening profile. Owner pays sewer/trash; tenant responsible for all other utilities. All applicants 18+ must fill out an application on our website with a $50 application fee per applicant. Resident benefits package offered
Convenient first-floor in-unit laundry makes everyday living easy in this charming 2-bedroom home with a versatile bonus room that can be used as a home office, or additional living space. Enjoy a spacious fenced-in backyard. The large basement provides abundant storage space for all your needs. Ideally located close to major commuter routes and within walking distance to Palmerton's shops,
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Very Clean 2 Bed 1 BathApartment in highly sought after downtown Palmerton. GreatLocation, just a couple blocks to everything, park, playground,schools, shopping, restaurants, fishing stream and the gym.Laundry hookups and Off-street parking. Tons of storage space inthe attic. Relax on the front porch in the summer evenings. Enjoypeace and
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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.
