West Penn, a township in Schuylkill County, offers a secluded feel and country lifestyle within an hour of Pottsville and Allentown. “It's very rural. There are no streetlights, just rolling hills between two mountains,” says Herb Woodring, an assistant to the West Penn Township Board of Supervisors who’s lived here for over 40 years. He says he moved here for more space, and he made the hour-long commute to Allentown for around 25 years before he retired. Most homes in West Penn are on at least an acre of land, and surrounding farms and forests add to the feeling of open space. Area parks and the Appalachian Trail are popular ways to get outside, and Tamaqua is home to businesses and schools nearby.
West Penn is a township within Schuylkill County, PA.
West Penn is a rural township of about 4,300 residents.
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Ranch-style and split-level homes surrounded by farms and forests
West Penn offers a blend of forested retreats and properties with expansive views of hilly farmland. Most homes are ranch-style and split-level, though buyers can also find some turn-of-the-century farmhouses and New Traditional homes built in the 2020s. These typically sit far from neighbors along narrow country roads. “The zoning areas are mostly conservation and agricultural, and you can't build a residential property in an agricultural area unless you have an acre and a half,” Woodring says. “We have other zoning districts where you can build closer, but even in our subdivisions that have been put into an agricultural zone, the houses are on an acre and a half.” Home prices typically range from around $220,000 to $650,000, and manufactured houses can range from $70,000 to $230,000. Some properties are in high-risk flood zones where homebuyers might have to buy flood insurance.
Tall trees provide shade to some homes in West Penn.
Many properties sit on entire acreages in West Penn.
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Outdoor activities range from playgrounds to archery courses
J.E. Morgan Park, which opened in 2025 with soccer fields and a baseball diamond, is the site of new community events. “We just had a fireworks celebration on the Fourth of July for the first time,” Woodring says. “It was a good turnout, and it was amazing how clean people kept the park.” The West Penn Archery Club maintains indoor and outdoor archery courses and organizes competitions, including the annual Nightshift Shootout. West Penn Park’s playground features wooden climbing structures shaped like an airplane, a train and a tractor; the shaded park also has tennis courts and baseball fields. In the south, the Appalachian Trail passes along a mountain ridge through State Game Lands Number 106, which is open for hunting, bird watching and snowmobiling.
West Penn's rural terrain provides ample space for the West Penn Archery Club.
West Penn Park provides fun for kids of all ages.
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Country roads connect to Tamaqua and Allentown
Two-lane state roads lace through the community. State Route 309 leads roughly 8 miles to Tamaqua. It also leads 29 miles to Allentown, which is home to Lehigh Valley International Airport. St. Luke’s Hospital Miners Campus is about 11 miles away in Coaldale, and Pottsville is a 22-mile drive. Houses of worship here include Zion’s Stone Church of West Penn Township and St. Peter’s Church.
Tamaqua schools earn Bs and Cs
Kids attend schools in the Tamaqua Area School District, which earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. They can start at the C-plus-rated West Penn Township Elementary and then go to Tamaqua Area Middle, which earns a C. Students at the B-minus-rated Tamaqua Area High can join the Blue Raiders baseball team, which won the Schuylkill League Title in 2024 and 2025.
West Penn Township Elementary School serves students from kindergarten to 5th grades.
Tamaqua Area High School is 13 minutes north in Tamaqua.
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Locally owned restaurants nearby, with more in Tamaqua
A few restaurants are scattered around the township, including the popular Leiby’s Ice Cream House and Restaurant, known for its hand-dipped ice cream. The Mason Jar Family Diner serves American comfort food in a casual atmosphere, and it also operates an ice cream stand that’s known for its towering milkshakes. Thunderhead Lodge provides a rustic stop for hikers near the Appalachian Trail. The family-owned restaurant serves hearty comfort food and has a large patio. For groceries, Faust’s Produce sells locally grown vegetables and homemade baked goods, and Dollar General has other essentials. More grocery stores and restaurants are in Tamaqua, and national retailers like Lowe’s Home Improvement and Big Lots are 12 miles away in Lehighton.
Faust's Produce is a close-by option for West Penn residents' grocery needs.
Downtown Tamaqua provides a change of scenery from West Penn's rural landscape.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
Photography Contributed By
Taylor Noll
Video By
Victoria Sharpe
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James (Jim) Galligan,
an experienced agent in this area.
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 West Penn, PA sell after 7 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in West Penn, PA over the last 12 months is $47,500, down 28% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Get ready to fall in LOVE with 507 Whitetail Circle! A charming, newly renovated Salt Box style home nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in Tamaqua Area School District. This home offers 1,300+ sq ft of living space with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The main level features an open floor plan with a spacious living and dining area, a well-appointed kitchen with appliances, large primary bedroom,
Amazing 3 bedroom 2 bath home with In-Law Suite situated on 12+ acres! If you are looking for your own piece of paradise with privacy and wooded land, look no more! There is a permanent blind in the woods for all your hunting needs. Take a glance at this well cared for home with amazing views from every window. Spacious one floor living that features a modern eat in kitchen, stainless steel
Get ready to fall in LOVE with 507 Whitetail Circle! A charming, newly renovated Salt Box style home nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in Tamaqua Area School District. This home offers 1,300+ sq ft of living space with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The main level features an open floor plan with a spacious living and dining area, a well-appointed kitchen with appliances, large primary bedroom,
Your dream homestead awaits in scenic West Penn Township! Set on 11.4 acres with panoramic views of the Blue Mountain ridge, this classic Cape Cod Farmhouse blends timeless character with modern updates. Originally built in 1940, the home showcases original wood floors, vintage trim, and new windows, creating a warm and inviting feel throughout its 2,200 square feet of living
Hope SencerKeller Williams Real Estate-Montgomeryville
Horse Barn and pastures for rent in picturesque area. 8 11x10 stalls, 3 paddocks with 2 run in sheds, tack room, electric and parking for trucks and trailers. Located just off of Route 309 with easy access to other local equestrian locations.
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