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Life in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre Reviews Pennsylvania Message Board
City/State
Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Wilkes-Barre?
Travis reports in this review:
WeatherHow much crime?What are the neighborhoods like?What are the people like?
Summer was pretty humid and hot (as one would expect from summer lol); but the concrete and blacktop makes it worse. Winter wasn't too bad, average snowfall; but nothing outside of what someone living in the Northeast should expect from Winter. Whilst I lived there hurricane Irene struck, which lead to quite a bit of flooding. Despite one particular hurricane, Wilkes-Barre is not known for hurricane activity.I personally did not experience any criminal activity; however it's common knowledge that Wilkes can be a rough/dangerous place. A woman who lived next-door to my grandma was robbed at gunpoint, break-ins/shootings are relatively common place in certain parts of town, however the names of those particular streets escape me at this moment.What I felt was the best part of WB, had to be South Main St. In one little 1.25 mile stretch, Wilkes offered anything someone could need. From grocery stores, to restaurants, sporting goods stores, a movie theater, as well as a center of performing arts. To my knowledge there are not many houses on South Main, so I cannot tell you what the houses looked like as I do not remember. However all races/classes of people frequent the busy streets of South Main.

As with every town, Wilkes had it's bad points as I alluded to in my previous question. However, having never ventured into those parts of town, I cannot supply any street names or what state the homes were in.
Like most cities, Wilkes is very accommodating. Everyone from single well educated men to elderly hippies will find solace in the surprisingly quiet chaos . There are arcades and parks for young children to frequent and socialize with friends at, as well as a cinema. It's also interesting in the summers because there are a lot of different groups that come to WB for whatever reason and it changes up the ratio of younger to older.
Downtown AreaRestaurantsSchoolsSingle life
The aforementioned South Main Street offers quite a few shopping destinations, such as Barnes and Noble bookstore. However, the prime jewel for shopping in Wilkes has to be the Wyoming Valley Mall, with roughly 120 stores, the WVM surely offers a little something for everyone.A small diner known simply as Abe's offers a selection of food that while far from gourmet, is very pleasant. Famed for their hot dogs, Abe's also serves everything from hamburgers, to wraps, cheese steak, daily soups, and personal pizzas.I personally never experienced public schooling in Wilkes Barre; however my brother and sister did, to their displeasure. In particular, my younger sister griped about the attitudes and general lackadaisical nature of classmates, as well as teachers. A main point for concern would have to be the security of public schools.

One day, I had to go pick up my brother and sister from Myers High School. I thoroughly expected to have to sign in at the main office or something of that regard. That is not what I encountered however, no desk or security at the front door, nothing at all; I simply strolled in through the front door. Not a soul paid me a second glance as I wondered the hallways looking for the main office. If someone with malicious intent had been in my shoes, there would be nothing standing in the way of tragedy.
With numerous bars and nightclubs, most notably the Wilkes Barre Hardware Bar and Evolution Nightclub, singles should have no issues meeting someone or just having a good time.
Noisetown comparison vs.Best hospitalTourist attractions
As with most cities there is an excessive flow of traffic throughout most of Wilkes-Barre With the nearby Scranton-Wilkes Barre Airport; the sound of planes isn't uncommon.Scranton and Kingston are two neighboring towns to Wilkes-Barre. While I have some rudimentary knowledge of Scranton, I lack any useful knowledge of Kingston. While far from it's heyday and smaller than the Wyoming Valley Mall, the Steamtown Mall is a serviceable place for one's shopping needs and one of the primary reasons to visit Scranton. I'd have to say, despite my limited knowledge of Scranton it is likely a safer/better place to live as opposed to Wilkes barre based solely from it's more widespread area and drastically lower crime rate.Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, while viewed in a most positive light than Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, is far from praised. I personally never visited it, however a few friends of mine did and they had numerous negative comments, including but not limited to, incompetent physicians, rude nurses, and a unsanitary environment.Kirby Park, a pristine, peaceful, and very well maintained park is a sure-fire place for relaxation, solace, or just a fun day out with family and/or loved ones.
General comments   
By my experience, Wilkes was a busy, enthusiastic town; full of energy.

Busy - Always hustling and bustling about as if people had someplace to be. Even if I didn't have anywhere to be the town just makes you want to walk fast!

Enthusiastic - There are always town events going on such as the Farmer's Market or some this or that-day parade!

Full of Energy - Speaks for itself! People seem to have more energy!
   
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania population: 41498

How many black people live in Wilkes-Barre? How many white people?
Number of White People32866Percentage of White people79.2%
Number of Black People5373Percentage of Black people12.9%
Number of Hispanic People4968Percentage of Hispanic people12%
Number of Asian People747Percentage of Asian people1.8%
Number of American Indian People358Percentage of American Indian people0.9%

Note: Numbers may add up to >100% because some people are more than one race.

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Percent college grads: 14.5%
Percent grad school grads: 4.7%
Unemployment rate: 8.3
Median house value: 77700
Median income: 29518


How many singles in Wilkes-Barre?

Single men ages 20-34Single women ages 20-34Ratio of single men to women age
20-34
445336541.22men for each woman
Single men ages 35-44Single women ages 35-44Ratio of single men to women age
35-44
112911550.98men for each woman
Single men ages 45-54Single women ages 45-54Ratio of single men to women age
45-54
148712161.22men for each woman


Crimes in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
CrimesAbsolute numbersAverage percentage chance of being a victim in
by typeof crimesOne YearFive Years
Murders20%0%
Robberies1110%1%
Aggr. Assault700%1%
Burglary3523%12%
Auto Theft890%1%

Weather History for Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania


Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Basic Temperatue and Weather (30 year averages)
MonthNumber of Days below zero (degrees)Number of Days 0-20's (degrees)Number of Days 20's (degrees)Number of Days 30's (degrees)Number of Days 40's (degrees)Number of Days 50's (degrees)Number of Days 60's (degrees)Number of Days 70's (degrees)Number of Days 80's (degrees)Number of Days 90's+ (degrees)
January00031000000
February00026300000
March00002560000
April000001713000
May000000161500
June00000002460
July00000000310
August000000014170
September00000092100
October000001417000
November000016140000
December00024700000
Average year0008151515574540
How many days and how much precipitation and snow for Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Number of days of rain
(.1 inch or greater)
total rainfallNumber of days of snow
(.5 inch or greater)
Total snowfall
January52.37414.2
February52.0339.3
March6229
April7323
May7300
June7400
July7300
August6300
September5400
October5300
November5302
December6227
Average year78381546
Realistic temperatures, taking into account precipitation, amount of sunlight during the day, winds during the day, and humidity during hot days.

MonthNumber of Days below zero (degrees)Number of Days 0-20's (degrees)Number of Days 20's (degrees)Number of Days 30's (degrees)Number of Days 40's (degrees)Number of Days 50's (degrees)Number of Days 60's (degrees)Number of Days 70's (degrees)Number of Days 80's (degrees)Number of Days 90's+ (degrees)
January03280000000
February06220000000
March00179500000
April000017112000
May00000092200
June000000012180
July00000000265
August00000000310
September00000022530
October000013315000
November00120900000
December00310000000
Average year0999294443859785


How many hot humid days a year does Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania have?
How many cloudy days a year does Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania have?
How many sunny days a year does Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania have? How sunny is it?
How many windy days a year does Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania have? How windy is it?
See below for the answers!
MonthNumber of hot, humid daysNumber of very windy daysNumber of windy daysNumber of somewhat windy daysNumber of calm daysNumber of clear daysNumber of moderately cloudly daysNumber of somewhat cloudy daysNumber of very cloudy days
January00031081416
February00235091413
March003100101414
April003000111412
May0016150122510
June00030012268
July1700201114367
August80003114268
September000161413159
October000310121411
November00129091414
December00526081416
Average year250106203561372360144


(Note: Humidity, wind, and cloudcover information is based on (a) 30 year averages and in many cases (b) a large nearby weather station. If you're in an area with a lot of "micro climates" actual conditions may vary.)


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Sources of information: Census, FBI Crime Statistics, NOAA
Disclaimer: The information presented here are for the general population, assume the same rate of crime in the future, and an evenly distributed amount of crime throughout the city in question. They are not meant to accurately predict whether one person in particular will be a victim of crime. Percentages are based on the population of the city/town in question, except for burglaries, which are based on the number of households.