Scranton, PA Career Education and Training: Search Degree Programs

Scranton, Pennsylvania is located in the Lackawanna River Valley and is the county seat of Lackawanna County. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Scranton's population is 76,415, and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that its per capita income is $29,183 per year. It might be best known outside Pennsylvania as the setting of NBC's popular sitcom "The Office."

Scranton's economy has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. From its founding in the mid-19th century to the 1940s, nearly all industry in Scranton was focused on coal mining and production. By the early 1900s, most of the coal produced in our country came from the Scranton area. But as coal lost popularity as a heating fuel, Scranton's economy suffered.

However, thanks to hard work by the city's redevelopment commission, Scranton has rallied. The late '90s were particularly successful as big companies such as AT&T, Fleet Financial Group, and Cigna Healthcare set up offices in Scranton.

Scranton's top employers today include:

• Tobyhanna Army Depot, makers of electronics: 2,712 employees
• Proctor & Gamble, makers of paper products: 2,500 employees
• Diocese of Scranton: 2,377 employees
• Allied Services, health care: 2,196 employees

Special events in Scranton include La Festa Italiana, a festival that celebrates Italian food, music, and heritage, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade. The city is home to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Yankees, the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees, as well as a handful of colleges and universities.

Though Scranton has gone through some rough economic times, it has emerged stronger and more vibrant than ever. In coming years, the people of Scranton expect their city to become known as the finest in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Sources:

• City Data, Scranton, PA
• U.S. Census Bureau, Scranton, Pennsylvania
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis