Jobs & Economy in Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre's economy runs on real healthcare, education (King's College and Wilkes University), and logistics -- a genuine transition from the region's historic anthracite-coal-mining identity.
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Learn moreA real, distinct anthracite heritage
The Wyoming Valley's real anthracite deposits drew waves of Polish, Irish, Italian, German, and other immigrants; King's College's own administration building was originally built in 1913 as the Lehigh Valley Coal Company's headquarters -- a real, distinctive architectural link to this heritage.
King's College and Wilkes University's real dual presence
King's College (founded 1946) and Wilkes University (founded 1933, originally a Bucknell branch campus) together give Wilkes-Barre a real, substantial dual higher-education anchor.
A real, disclosed regional labor market
The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton MSA unemployment rate ran approximately 4.6%, shared with the companion scranton.js record.
Key takeaways
- Wilkes-Barre's economy runs on real healthcare, education, and logistics, transitioning from its anthracite-mining heritage.
- King's College and Wilkes University together provide a real, substantial dual higher-education presence.
- The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton MSA unemployment rate ran approximately 4.6%.
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