Carbon County Public RecordsPennsylvania

As of 2022, Carbon County, PA, has a population of approximately 64,600. The median age is about 46 years old. Gender distribution is nearly even, with 49.5% male and 50.5% female. The county is 91.7% White, 3% Black or African American, 2% identifying as two or more races, and about 4% Hispanic or Latino. Other groups, including Asian and Native American, each make up less than 1% of the population.

Carbon County, Pennsylvania had approximately 39,500 registered voters as of 2024, with about 51% Republican, 36% Democrat, and 13% other parties or unaffiliated. The county holds primary, general, and municipal elections, with recent results skewing Republican: in 2020, Donald Trump won 65% of the presidential vote. There are 51 polling locations across 23 municipalities. Voter concerns include property taxes and local industry. Elections are administered by the County Election Office. Both Democratic and Republican parties have local committees overseeing voter engagement and election integrity initiatives.

Carbon County, PA, hosts 11 public schools, including 5 high schools, serving around 7,000 students. The high school graduation rate is 89%, while only about 18% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average standardized test scores in the district are near the Pennsylvania state average. The county offers adult education programs through Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Jim Thorpe campus. School safety initiatives include security personnel in buildings, with reported incidents slightly below state averages. Educational programs emphasize career and technical training alongside traditional academics.

As of 2023, Carbon County, PA, has an employment rate of roughly 57.2%. Key industries include health care and social assistance (17.4%), manufacturing (13.5%), retail trade (12.9%), and accommodation and food services (10.3%). Most workers are employed in office and administrative support (12.6%) and sales-related (10.9%) occupations. Around 82% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of about 31 minutes. While 54% work within Carbon County, a significant portion commutes to neighboring counties such as Lehigh and Luzerne for employment.

Carbon County, PA, features a homeownership rate of about 74%, with median home values around $185,000 and median gross rent near $950/month. The market has seen modest annual value increases of 4–6% recently. Housing types range from historic single-family homes and rowhouses in Jim Thorpe to newer developments in Lehighton and Palmerton. Neighborhoods offer both rural and small-town settings. Property tax rates average 1.7% of assessed value, with typical annual taxes for a median-priced home near $3,100. Rental options are more limited but growing, especially near recreational areas and major highways.

Carbon County, PA, reports a crime rate lower than the national average, with recent statistics showing about 9.4 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crime—at approximately 1 per 1,000 people—remains relatively rare, while property crime rates are around 8.4 per 1,000. The county maintains active law enforcement and public reporting, resulting in high clearance rates for investigated offenses. Overall, Carbon County is considered safer than 53% of U.S. counties, with ongoing community initiatives to enhance public safety.