Former coal mining hub turned secluded mountain enclave
Amid the mountains of central Pennsylvania, Pottsville is a small city set into the hillside along the Schuylkill River. Although the city supports a population of just 13,000, its history is as rich as the coal deposits that once ran through its land. “Pottsville was the gateway to anthracite coal,” says Mayor Mark Atkinson, a city native. “We fueled the industrial revolution in America. There’s a lot of history and a lot of shared heritage among the coal region.” Although coal mining in Pottsville is long past its heyday, Atkinson says the city now has other things going for it — namely, its connection to the outdoors and close-knit community. “I grew up here, and when I moved away to Philly, a lot of the guys there picked on me for being from the coal region. Well, now they all live here,” Atkinson says. “It’s become a place where people want to come because of the small-town feel nestled in the mountains.”
Pottsville’s once-coal-dependent economy has since moved into other sectors. “There’s been a real surge in industry,” Atkinson says. “We’re getting more manufacturing and warehouses coming to the area.” Aside from manufacturing and distribution, local government and education are among the city’s top employers, as is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill east of town. Some residents commute to Allentown, Reading and other surrounding areas.
The Miner statue heading into Forrestville and Minsersville represents the coal mining history.
Forrestville is located in the Blue Mountains where coal mining history runs deep.
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Historic rowhomes Downtown surrounded by ranch-style houses
Downtown Pottsville is populated by rowhomes and duplexes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many are built on a slant or atop hillsides due to the mountainous terrain that surrounds the city. Some detached homes and cottages can be found Downtown, but most midcentury ranch-style homes and New Traditional developments tend to be farther out from the city’s historic center. The median price for both single-family homes and townhouses is $145,000, significantly lower than the state median of $315,000. Homes spend 40 days on the market on average, on par with the national average of 44 days.
Some newly renovated historic single family homes in Downtown Pottsville go back 200 years.
Cape cods and ranch homes represent the vernacular style of living in Forrestville.
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Home to Yuengling, America’s oldest brewery
Most local shops and restaurants cluster around Centre Street, which comprises the heart of Downtown Pottsville. “It’s all kind of mom ‘n pop shops. We’ve got a microbrewery, and we’re working on getting a distillery,” Atkinson says. “New restaurants are opening up in Pottsville because it’s cheaper to get a building and a liquor license here than in a lot of other cities.” Pottsville is also famously where America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling, is headquartered. Its brewing complex on Mahantongo Street brings in tourists to visit its museum and tour its facilities, including hand-dug caves where fermentation took place. Shopping centers with chain stores such as Weis Markets, Aldi, Walmart and the Home Depot are directly north of town, particularly in St. Clair. Fairlane Village Mall, also to the north, is anchored by Boscov’s and Kohl’s.
Pressed Coffee & Books has been serving coffee, tea and more in Downtown Pottsville since 2018.
One can learn all about the long history of Yuengling at its museum in Downtown Pottsville.
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Three local schools operated by the Pottsville Area School District
The city is served by the Pottsville Area School District, which has an enrollment of 2,400 students and scores a B-minus from Niche. Its three schools — Clarke Elementary Center, Lengel Middle and Pottsville Area High — are all located directly in town. Multiple private and charter school options are also available to families. A satellite campus of Alvernia University, Pottsville CollegeTown, offers bachelor’s and graduate programs at its Downtown location.
D.H.H. Lengel Middle School has 700 students in grades 5-8 and serves Downtown Pottsville.
For higher education, residents of Downtown Pottsville can attend Alvernia University.
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Fishing, biking and hunting in the former coal lands
The Pottsville Recreation Commission operates numerous parks, including the JFK Memorial Pool and Barefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, where most sports facilities are located. Pottsville Area Little League teams play at Rotary Field, Railway Park Field and the Minersville Little League Complex. “Our largest tourism draw — aside from Yuengling — is the outdoors because we’re close to multiple state parks, and Famous Reading Outdoors has hundreds of miles of dirt bike and ATV trails in old mining lands,” Atkinson says. He also notes that hunting and fishing are popular throughout the surrounding region, as there are two state game lands within 10 miles. “Back in the day, the Schuylkill River used to be orange from pollution,” Atkinson says. “Now, the river holds a healthy trout population — and if you know anything about fishing, you’ll know the water has to be just about pristine to hold trout.”
3 miles from Downtown Pottsville is Famous Reading Outdoors, a 27,000-acre off road park.
Enjoy a game of pickleball at the courts at JFK Memorial Complex, near Downtown Pottsville.
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Winter festivals and a longstanding love for the Pottsville Maroons
Two of Pottsville’s most popular events occur in wintertime. There’s Schuylkill Winterfest, which features local vendors and a pierogi-eating contest, and the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival, where carnival games and a pageant are the main draw. “We have these characters called Vulcans, which are like these devilish hellraisers that people dress up as for the Winter Carnival,” Atkinson says. “They sell buttons as a fundraiser. I actually got to be one last year, and it was a lot of fun.” Like at most Pottsville events, Yuengling beer is the drink of choice at both Schuylkill Winterfest and the Winter Carnival. “There’s this old-school drink we have during the winter here called boilo, which is made with cheap whiskey and mulled spices,” Atkinson says. “Around Thanksgiving, local businesses have a boilo contest for bragging rights.”
Although the city is no longer represented by any professional sports teams, residents today still talk about the Pottsville Maroons, a National Football League team that famously won the 1925 world championship, only to be stripped of the title in a famously controversial decision. Even 100 years on, Pottsville Maroons t-shirts and other merchandise can still be found around town.
Schuylkill Winterfest hosts live music while locals enjoy food and friendship in Pottsville.
The Shcuylkill Winterfest has many vendors offering treats like Inside Out Cookies.
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Within 50 miles of Reading and Allentown
U.S. Route 209 converges with Pennsylvania State Highway 61 in Downtown Pottsville, while Interstate 81 is less than 10 miles north of the city. Reading is about 35 miles south, and the nearest international airport is 50 miles west in Allentown. The Schuylkill County Transportation Authority provides public transportation to Shenandoah, Schuylkill Haven, Minersville and McAdoo via bus routes that depart from Pottsville’s Union Station.
Flooding around the Schuylkill River and decreasing violent crime
According to Pennsylvania crime statistics, property crime in Pottsville fell by 25% between 2018 and 2023, while violent crime fell by 18% during the same period. Property crime rates in Pottsville are below national and state averages, while violent crime rates are higher, per FBI crime figures.
Pottsville has a humid subtropical climate, meaning it experiences four seasons with warm summertime highs of 85°F and cold winter lows averaging around 25°F. There is some risk of flooding in the city, particularly along the Schuylkill River, but few residential areas are affected.
On average, homes in Pottsville, PA sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Pottsville, PA over the last 12 months is $142,625, up 19% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$140,000
Median Sale Price
$142,625
Median Single Family Sale Price
$140,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$125,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
246
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$19
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$94
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
42
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Pottsville, PA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Minersville Area Elementary Center
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Clarke Elementary Center
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#3 Minersville Early Childhood Center
Best Public Middle School
#1 Lengel Middle School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 Blue Mountain High School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Pottsville Area High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#3 Minersville Area Junior/Senior High School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Best Private Schools
#1 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary High School
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.
