countyscore
50.2
County Score
Schools 79.3Safety 72.6Weather & Climate 63.5

County Report Card

About Carbon County, Pennsylvania

Carbon County Meets National Medians

Carbon County scores a 50.2, placing it right at the national median for overall livability. This indicates a standard quality of life that mirrors the broader American experience.

Consistent with State Performance

The county's score of 50.2 is just slightly below the Pennsylvania average of 51.8. While it performs well in certain areas, it reflects many of the common challenges faced by the state's mid-sized counties.

Strong Schools and Public Safety

Education is a primary asset here, with a School Score of 79.3 indicating high-quality local districts. The county also maintains a solid Safety Score of 72.6, making it a reliable choice for families.

High Taxes and Water Concerns

Residents face a high tax burden, with a Tax Score of 12.6 and an effective tax rate of 1.504%. Environmental metrics are also a challenge, specifically a low Water Score of 19.3.

Reliable for Commuting Families

Carbon County suits middle-income families who want strong schools and a safe environment within reach of the Lehigh Valley or Poconos. It offers a balanced lifestyle, provided residents can navigate the higher local tax rates.

Score breakdown

Tax12.6Cost29.7Safety72.6Health58.7Schools79.3Income61.4Risk40.6Water19.3Weather63.5
🏛12.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠29.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼61.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡72.6
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤58.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓79.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡40.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧19.3
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤63.5
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨41.5
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱45.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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42.5
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Pennsylvania
40.7
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39.4
Northampton County
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Deep Dives

Carbon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Carbon County

via TaxByCounty

Carbon taxes higher than most U.S. counties

Carbon County's effective tax rate of 1.504% sits well above the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the 78th percentile nationwide. The median property tax of $2,914 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's above-average rate and solid property values.

Among Pennsylvania's steeper tax counties

Carbon County ranks in the upper fifth of Pennsylvania counties by effective tax rate, exceeding the state average of 1.317% by nearly 2 percentage points. Its median tax of $2,914 is notably higher than the state median of $2,657, signaling a genuinely heavy burden for residents.

Carbon steeper than Monroe, less than Cameron

Carbon's 1.504% rate exceeds nearby Luzerne and Monroe counties, but falls short of Cameron County's 1.667%. For residents in this eastern Pennsylvania region, Carbon represents a mid-to-high tax environment relative to immediate neighbors.

Expect roughly $2,914 annually

On Carbon's median home value of $193,700, the effective rate of 1.504% translates to an estimated annual property tax of $2,914. This is a meaningful burden for middle-value properties in the county.

Appeals pay off in higher-rate environment

With one of Pennsylvania's steeper effective rates, Carbon County homeowners have extra incentive to verify their assessments. An appeal could yield substantial savings given the county's aggressive tax environment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Carbon County

via CostByCounty

Carbon faces above-average rent stress

Carbon County residents spend 17.2% of income on housing—above the 16.5% national average—despite earning $67,877, which trails the national median by 9%. The combination of higher-than-average rent burden and below-average income creates meaningful affordability pressure.

Above-average burden in Pennsylvania

Carbon's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Pennsylvania's 16.5% average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties despite a median rent of $975 that runs 2% above the state norm. This middle-ground pricing combined with below-median incomes creates the strain.

Pricier than poor rural counties

Carbon's $975 rent sits between Cambria ($733) and Centre ($1,181), positioning it as a transitional county between rural and educated-market areas. The affordability stress here exceeds cheaper rural neighbors while offering fewer economic advantages than richer regions.

Housing squeeze in Carbon

Renters allocate $975 monthly (17.2% of income) and homeowners $1,035 (18.3%) against the $67,877 median household income. These percentages indicate genuine housing strain, with nearly one-fifth of income dedicated to shelter costs.

Carbon requires careful income assessment

Consider Carbon County if your income substantially exceeds the $67,877 median or if you can access the $193,700 median home price through favorable financing. Job seekers should verify local earning potential—the county's affordability stress suggests wage growth may lag regional trends.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carbon County

via IncomeByCounty

Carbon nearly matches the nation

Carbon County's median household income of $67,877 falls just 9% below the national median of $74,755, positioning the county slightly below middle-income status nationwide. This Appalachian county performs better than many rural peers but lags affluent suburban regions across the country.

Slightly below Pennsylvania average

Carbon County ranks in the middle third of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with a median household income of $67,877—just $1,737 below the state average of $69,614. The county's near-average performance reflects a mixed economy anchored in tourism, healthcare, and legacy industries.

Middle ground between extremes

Carbon County's $67,877 median income positions it between wealthier Centre County ($72,748) and struggling Cameron County ($47,681), capturing the Appalachian middle class. The county's economy benefits from its location between the Pocono Mountains and the Lehigh Valley industrial corridor.

Housing burden edges higher here

Carbon County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio, though still below the 30% affordability threshold, runs higher than the state average and approaches the warning zone. With a median home value of $193,700 and median income of $67,877, residents must budget carefully to balance housing costs and other priorities.

Modest income requires intentional planning

Carbon County's median household income of $67,877 leaves limited margin for wealth-building, but disciplined saving and smart investing remain possible. Target saving 5-8% of income, prioritize high-yield savings accounts for emergencies, and explore employer retirement plans to steadily build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Carbon County

via CrimeByCounty

Carbon County Safety Remains High

Carbon County features a safety score of 99.0, indicating a very secure environment compared to the U.S. at large. Its total crime rate of 653.7 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding Pennsylvania Safety Standards

Carbon County's safety score of 99.0 sits above the state average of 98.5. Residents experience roughly 30% less crime than the average Pennsylvanian, based on the state rate of 932.4 per 100,000.

Carbon vs. Regional Peers

Carbon County's crime rate of 653.7 is slightly higher than Bucks County's 624.6. However, it remains more favorable than Clarion County, which sees a rate of 792.2 incidents per 100,000.

A Breakdown of Local Incidents

The county reports a violent crime rate of 101.5 and a property crime rate of 552.2 per 100,000. These figures suggest that most law enforcement activity focuses on protecting property and residents' assets.

Keeping Carbon County Secure

With 18 agencies monitoring the area, property protection is a high priority for local safety. Using smart home technology to monitor entry points can further reduce the likelihood of property-related crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Carbon County

via HealthByCounty

Carbon lags national health benchmarks

At 74.5 years, Carbon County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 1.9 years. Nearly 18% of residents report poor or fair health, pointing to significant chronic disease and wellness gaps.

Near bottom of state health rankings

Carbon County's 74.5-year life expectancy ranks it among Pennsylvania's lowest counties, falling 1.9 years short of the state average of 76.4 years. The 17.8% poor/fair health rate indicates persistent health stressors across the population.

Tied with Cambria in regional struggles

Carbon County's 74.5 years nearly matches Cambria County (74.6) and Clarion County (74.9), forming a cluster of counties facing severe health challenges. All three fall 6-7 years behind Chester County (81.0 years).

High uninsured rate, critical provider shortage

At 6.8% uninsured—just below the state average of 7.0%—Carbon County faces a more pressing problem: only 34 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents, the lowest in this county set. Mental health access (87 providers per 100K) is also severely limited.

Close coverage gaps and seek care

Carbon County's 6.8% uninsured rate and extreme provider shortage demand immediate action. Visit www.healthcare.gov to enroll, then ask your insurer about patient navigator programs and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that serve underserved areas.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Carbon County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Consolidated System of Rural Schools

Carbon County features 18 public schools organized into six school districts, serving a total of 8,359 students. The system is balanced between eight elementary schools, four middle schools, and six high schools. This compact infrastructure serves a growing population in the Pocono foothills.

Outperforming State Averages in Graduation

The county reports a 92.6% graduation rate, beating the Pennsylvania average of 90.3% and the national average of 87%. While per-pupil spending of $9,843 is slightly below the state average, the county still maintains a school score of 61.0. This indicates a high level of academic efficiency given the available resources.

Lehighton and Jim Thorpe Lead the Way

Lehighton Area School District is the largest in the county, educating 2,171 students across three schools. Jim Thorpe Area and Palmerton Area are also significant, serving 1,760 and 1,631 students respectively. Traditional public schools are the only option here, as the county currently hosts zero charter schools.

Rural Roots with Suburban Influence

Carbon's schools are primarily located in rural (8) and suburban (7) settings, reflecting the county's transitional geography. The average school size is 464 students, with Lehighton Area Elementary Center serving as the largest campus with 998 students. This scale offers a balance between comprehensive resources and a community feel.

Family-Friendly Living in the Foothills

For families looking to move to the Carbon County area, the local school districts offer consistent performance and strong community ties. The high graduation rates are a significant draw for those prioritizing their children's secondary education. Consider how proximity to districts like Jim Thorpe can impact your lifestyle and property value.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Carbon County

via RiskByCounty

Carbon faces below-average risk overall

Carbon County's composite risk score of 59.41 places it in the relatively low category, nearly 8 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. While the county experiences some natural hazard exposure, it ranks among the safer regions statewide.

Lower-risk positioning in Pennsylvania

Carbon County ranks in the lower-risk half of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for disaster exposure. Its score reflects moderate hazard exposure without the elevated vulnerability seen in higher-risk counties.

Safer than most nearby counties

Carbon County's 59.41 score is lower than Cambria (76.43), Centre (67.97), and Butler (79.26) to the west. It sits higher than only Clarion County (30.03) and Cameron County (12.63) among the broader region.

Flooding and hurricanes lead concerns

Carbon County's flood risk of 67.53 and hurricane risk of 73.13 are its two highest hazard exposures. While tornado risk (37.88) and earthquake risk (46.60) remain relatively modest, water-related threats deserve primary planning attention.

Flood insurance should be prioritized

With a flood risk score of 67.53, Carbon County residents should secure standalone flood insurance as a core protection. Verify that your homeowners policy covers wind damage and maintain clear drainage around your property.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Carbon County

via WeatherByCounty

An Average American Temperature Profile

Carbon County averages exactly 50.0°F annually, which sits close to the national median. It experiences the distinct seasonal shifts of the Appalachian foothills.

Representative of Pennsylvania's Climate

The county's 50.0°F average perfectly mirrors the Pennsylvania state average of 49.9°F. It serves as a climate bridge between the warmer southeast and colder northern tier.

A Wetter Alternative to Neighbors

Carbon County receives 51.9 inches of rain, making it wetter than the state average of 45.3 inches. It is notably cooler than its southeastern neighbor, Bucks County.

Heavy Rainfall and Low Heat

The county records 51.9 inches of precipitation and 27.3 inches of snow annually. Despite a July average of 72.1°F, extreme heat is rare with only 4 days over 90°F.

Focus on Moisture and Drainage

High annual precipitation of nearly 52 inches requires well-maintained gutters and sump pumps. Residents can often skip heavy AC usage since extreme heat occurs only four days a year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Carbon County

via SoilByCounty

Highly acidic Inceptisols dominate

Carbon County features Inceptisols, which are relatively young soils with a very acidic pH of 4.86. This is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5 and even the state average of 5.22. Most crops will require significant lime to balance the soil for healthy growth.

Channery silt loam provides unique texture

The soil is classified as a channery silt loam, containing 30.8% sand, 40.1% silt, and 14.1% clay. The term 'channery' indicates the presence of flat, thin rock fragments that can make digging difficult. This mix ensures the soil doesn't compact too easily but may be tough on garden tools.

Rich organic matter meets state norms

Organic matter content is 12.21%, aligning almost perfectly with the Pennsylvania state average. The available water capacity of 0.145 inches per inch is slightly below the state benchmark of 0.151. This suggests a fertile soil that holds nutrients well but may dry out faster than average during summer.

Excellent drainage and high infiltration

The soil is somewhat excessively drained and belongs to Hydrologic Group A. This means water moves through the soil very quickly, which is great for preventing root rot but increases the need for irrigation. It is an ideal profile for building foundations due to its low runoff and rapid drainage.

Success in the Pocono foothills

Located in Zone 6b, Carbon County enjoys a slightly milder climate than its neighbors to the north. Acid-loving plants like blueberries and rhododendrons thrive naturally in these conditions. With proper pH management, your garden can become a lush mountain oasis.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Carbon County

via LawnByCounty

High Difficulty Challenges Carbon County Growers

Carbon County faces a tough lawn difficulty score of 45.5, well below the state average of 59.2 and the national median of 50.0. In hardiness zone 6b, gardeners must contend with challenging soil and extreme weather swings. Maintaining a green yard here requires a more hands-on, data-driven strategy.

Heavy Precipitation Meets Quick Drainage

The county receives a massive 51.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is the highest in this group and exceeds the ideal lawn maximum. Despite this water, only 4 extreme heat days occur, meaning temperature stress is low. However, high growing degree days of 2748 mean you will likely spend more time mowing than your neighbors to the west.

Extremely Acidic Soil Slows Turf Development

Carbon County has an average soil pH of 4.86, making it one of the most acidic regions in the state. The 'channery silt loam' texture is somewhat excessively drained, meaning water and nutrients can wash through before the grass can use them. Regular applications of lime and organic matter are essential to stabilize this foundation.

Severe Drought Conditions Demand Water Savings

Despite high annual rainfall, 81.9% of the county is currently in severe drought, the highest level in the region. After 33 weeks of drought in the past year, your lawn likely needs supplemental water during current dry spells. Prioritize saving water for established turf and avoid heavy fertilization until the drought breaks.

Start Seeding in the Late Summer Window

Given the severe drought levels, wait for the late August cooling to seed cool-season grasses like perennial ryegrass. With a first frost on October 23rd, the fall window offers plenty of time for roots to establish. Be sure to mix in a heavy dose of lime at planting to counteract the high 4.86 soil acidity.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carbon County's county score?
Carbon County, Pennsylvania has a composite county score of 50.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Carbon County rank among counties in Pennsylvania?
Carbon County ranks #47 among all counties in Pennsylvania on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Carbon County, Pennsylvania?
The median annual property tax in Carbon County is $2,914, with an effective tax rate of 1.50%. This earns Carbon County a tax score of 12.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Carbon County?
The median household income in Carbon County, Pennsylvania is $67,877 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Carbon County earns an income score of 61.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Carbon County, Pennsylvania a good place to live?
Carbon County scores 50.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #47 in Pennsylvania. The best way to evaluate Carbon County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Carbon County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.