Rural township in Luzerne County poised for growth
Bordering the borough of Shickshinny, Union Township is made up of forests, farmland and a small stretch of the Susquehanna River. Although this rural region of Luzerne County is sparsely populated, it may see a more competitive housing market in the coming years due to its budding tech sector. Union is about 8 miles from the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a nuclear power station and major regional employer. “Amazon Web Services is the big contractor next to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station,” says Geraldine Wozniak, a real estate agent at Realty World Masich & Dell who sells in Luzerne County. “They are building 20-plus buildings for A.I. and cloud-based storage. Pennsylvania is trying to become the leader in the global market for that type of technology.” Union offers homes under $300,000 and a quick commute to the power station and this new tech hub, which is slated to bring more jobs to the area.
Some single-family homes in Union have lake access
The rural roads of Union traverse both hilly and flat terrain; the most mountainous area borders the river at the township’s southern edge. Bi-level, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes tend to sit back on grassy lots along country roads. Prices range from about $170,000 to $300,000.
Homes within the neighborhood of Shickshinny Lake surround the community’s namesake lake. All properties are under the purview of the local HOA, and dues go toward maintaining the lake’s water quality. The lake is for resident and guest use only, and it permits a wide range of activities, including water skiing, swimming, fishing and boating. Some waterfront homes have private docks, and there is also a boat launch for use by all neighborhood residents.
Northwest Area schools earn consistent C-plus ratings
Students are zoned for the Northwest Area School District, rated C-plus on Niche. The public school pipeline begins with Northwest Area Primary School through second grade, followed by Northwest Area Intermediate School through sixth grade. Northwest Area Middle/High School serves seventh through 12th graders. All three schools are rated C-plus. In 2025, five members of the coed track and field team at Northwest Area Middle/High School qualified for the state championships.
Recreation along the Susquehanna River
Hikers and bikers can access the Susquehanna Warrior Trail from Union Township. This path stretches just over 12 miles along the river. Kayakers are a common sight in the river, especially in the warmer months, and there is a launch point from the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. Additionally, families can watch Little League games at McKendree Field and golfers can tee off at Morgan Hills Golf Course, a public, nine-hole course.
Limited shopping and dining options in Union
When it comes to dining out, Nino’s Pizza & Ice Cream is popular; it’s the only eatery in the township, apart from Morgan Hills Restaurant, which has covered outdoor seating overlooking the golf course. Lucas Farms offers homemade prepared foods and locally grown produce. For more grocery options, Weis Markets is about 15 miles away in Berwick and Walmart Supercenter is 20 miles away in Hazelton. Shickshinny has a few locally owned businesses, like a brewery and a store for outdoor gear and sports equipment.
U.S. Route 11 and State Route 239 are key roads for residents
Union is a rural, car-dependent area with no public transportation. U.S. Route 11 hugs the western bank of the Susquehanna River, connecting Union to nearby boroughs and townships. State Route 239 leads drivers into Shickshinny. Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre is the nearest hospital, about 20 miles away, and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is about 30 miles away.
