$233,932Average Value$161Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes 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
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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.
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On average, homes in Palmerton, PA sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Palmerton, PA over the last 12 months is $240,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 168 Avenue A in Palmerton! This charming home offers four bedrooms and one full bathroom with a versatile layout and plenty of potential to make it your own. With bedrooms located across the upper levels, the home provides flexible space for a variety of needs, whether you’re looking for additional bedrooms, a home office, or creative space.The full unfinished basement provides
Understand this before anything else, because it defines the property: these 105.5 acres are landlocked. There is no deeded access, no road frontage, no easement, and no driveway serving the tract. The only way to reach this land is on foot, using the public walking trails that run to it, specifically the Appalachian Trail and the blue blazed Winter Trail. There is no vehicle access of any kind
Wyatt RentzelWHITETAIL PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE LLC (PA)
Escape to the peace and beauty of the countryside with this exceptional36+ acre cherished family farm that has been lovingly maintained andthoughtfully cared for. This historic farmhouse offers the perfect blend ofproductive farmland, wooded acreage and breathtaking naturalsurroundings. Whether you're looking for a working farm, recreationalgetaway, hunting property or a
INVESTOR & RENOVATION OPPORTUNITY- BRING YOUR VISION- Includes a vacant lot - Bring your vision and unlock the potential of this property! Perfect for an investor looking to expand their portfolio or a buyer ready to take on a renovation project. With spacious footprint multiple levels, abundant natural light, architectural details, and additional unfinished areas offering plenty of
***SIGNIFICANT PRICE IMPROVEMENT!***Exceptional New Price on This Beautifully Crafted 4-Bedroom Ranch.Now offered at an attractive new price. Thoughtfully designed with modern finishes, an open-concept layout, and a peaceful setting, this is a home you won't want to miss.Where modern design meets the adventure and beauty of the Pocono Mountains, this exceptional property is
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
If you are looking for nature and privacy with room to spread out, look no further. This 4 bedroom ranch is located at the end of a private lane, situated on 2.94 acres. The home has had many updates in the past few years including a brand new furnace in November, all plumbing redone, new roof in 2020, new walk in shower, an automatic Generac generator, so you will never be without power. The
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
Welcome to 20 Serfass Lane, a charming 3-bedroom, 2-full-bath ranch situated on 1.33 acres in Palmerton. Offering the ease of one-floor living with plenty of indoor and outdoor space, this home provides a comfortable setting to make your own. Step inside to a welcoming layout with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and plenty of natural light throughout. The inviting sunroom extends the living
Completely renovated and move-in ready in the heart of Palmerton Borough! This spacious 4 BR, 1.5 BA home offers 1,632 sq ft of finished living space with a fresh, updated interior from top to bottom. Step inside to a generously sized living room followed by a separate dining room, both offering plenty of space for everyday living and entertaining. The beautifully renovated kitchen features
Jim ChristmanKeller Williams Real Estate - Palmerton
Welcome home to this spacious, meticulously maintained, move-in ready 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home in a FANTASTIC Palmerton location directly across from SS Palmer Elementary School and Palmerton Borough Park! The main level offers a bright sun porch, generously sized living and dining rooms, and a roomy kitchen with a separate breakfast nook. A recently installed mini-split in the dining room
Jim ChristmanKeller Williams Real Estate - Palmerton
Affordable and convenient 2nd-floor apartment located above a local restaurant in the heart of Palmerton Borough. This unit features a generously sized bedroom, full bathroom, small refrigerator, and microwave, with no kitchen in the apartment. Electric, water, air conditioning, and heat are all included in the monthly rent, making for simple and predictable monthly expenses. Coin-operated
Make Yourself at Home in Palmerton! Looking for a rental that feels like home without breaking the budget? This remodeled 3-bedroom, 1-bath home offers comfortable living in the desirable community of Palmerton. Step inside and enjoy a refreshed interior with updated finishes and plenty of space to spread out. With three bedrooms, there's room for everyone—or the flexibility to create a home
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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