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{{Short description|City in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{redirect|Wilkes-Barre|the township|Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|the chess opening|Wilkes-Barre Variation}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
| official_name =
| nickname = The Diamond City, W-B, Coal City
| settlement_type = [[List of municipalities in Pennsylvania|City]]
| motto = Pattern After Us
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 280
| perrow = 1/2/1
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Downtown Wilkes Barre along the Susquehanna River.jpg
| alt1 = Downtown Wilkes-Barre along the Susquehanna River
| caption1 = Downtown Wilkes-Barre along the [[Susquehanna River]]
| image2 = 16 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.jpg
| alt2 = Wilkes-Barre Public Square
| caption2 = Wilkes-Barre Public Square
| image3 = LuzerneCountyCourthouseRiverCommons.jpg
| alt3 = Luzerne County Courthouse
| caption3 = [[Luzerne County Courthouse]]
}}
| image_flag = Flag of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.png
| flag_size = 115px
| image_seal = Wikes-Barre official seal.png
| seal_size = 85px
| image_map = {{maplink
| frame = yes
| plain = yes
| frame-align = center
| frame-width = 280
| frame-height = 280
| frame-coord = SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q745594}}###{{coord|qid=Q501292}}###{{coord|qid=Q1400}}###{{coord|qid=Q30}}
| zoom = SWITCH:11;9;6;3
| type = SWITCH:shape;shape;point;point
| marker = city
| fill = #0096FF
| stroke-width = 2
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| id2 = SWITCH:Q745594;Q501292;Q1400;Q30
| type2 = shape-inverse
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| stroke-opacity2 = SWITCH:0;1;1;1
| switch = Wilkes-Barre;Luzerne County;Pennsylvania;the United States
}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Pennsylvania]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Luzerne]]
| leader_title = [[List of mayors of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Mayor]]
| leader_name = George Brown ([[United States Democratic Party|D]])
| leader_title1 = City Council<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://www.wilkes-barre.city/mayors-office
|title = City Council
|access-date = February 3, 2022
}}</ref>
| leader_name1 = {{Collapsible list
| title = Members
| frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
| list_style = text-align:left;
| 1. District A = Mike Belusko (D)
| 2. District B = Tony Brooks (R)
| 3. District C = Beth Gilbert McBride (D)
| 4. District D = Bill Barrett (D)
| 5. District E = John Marconi (D)}}
| established_title = Founded
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_title2 =
| established_title3 =
| established_date = 1769
| established_date1 = 1806: Borough
| established_date2 = 1871: City
| named_for = [[John Wilkes]], [[Isaac Barré]]
| government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| governing_body = Wilkes-Barre City Council
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_sq_mi = 7.19
| area_total_km2 = 18.63
| area_land_sq_mi = 6.85
| area_land_km2 = 17.74
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.35
| area_water_km2 = 0.90
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_total = 44328
| population_metro = 562,037
| population_urban = 401,884
(US: [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|100th]])
| population_density_km2 = 2499.19
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| coordinates = {{coord|41|14|40|N|75|52|41|W|region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft = 525
| elevation_m = 160
| website = {{URL|https://www.wilkes-barre.city/|wilkes-barre.city}}
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s<ref>{{cite web| url = https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action| title = ZIP Code(tm) Lookup| publisher = [[United States Postal Service]]| access-date = December 17, 2014}}</ref>
| postal_code = 18701–18703, 18705, 18706, 18710, 18711, 18762, 18764–18767, 18769, 18773
| area_code_type = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code = [[Area codes 570 and 272|570 and 272]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.zipdatamaps.com/en/us/zip-maps/pa/city/borders/wilkes-barre-zip-code-map | title = City of Wilkes Barre, PA Zip Codes | access-date = December 17, 2014}}</ref>
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 42-85152
|area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_sq_mi = 6473.13
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_est =
}}
'''Wilkes-Barre''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɪ|l|k|s|b|ɛər|i}} {{respell|WILKS|bair|ee}}, alternatively {{IPAc-en|'|w|ɪ|l|k|s|b|ɛər}} or {{IPAc-en|'|w|ɪ|l|k|s|b|ɑːr|}}) is a city in [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania]], United States, and its [[county seat]]. Located along the [[Susquehanna River]] in [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]], it had a population of 44,328 in the 2020 census. It is part of the [[Wyoming Valley]] metropolitan area, which includes five cities and more than 40 boroughs forming a contiguous urban corridor with an estimated 574,000 residents.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2024 |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |date=March 13, 2025 |access-date=March 13, 2025 }}</ref> Wilkes-Barre is located {{convert|49|mi|km}} north-northwest of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], {{convert|97|mi|km}} north-northwest of [[Philadelphia]], and {{convert|106|mi|km}} west-northwest of [[New York City]].
Wilkes-Barre is framed by the [[Pocono Mountains]] to the east, the [[Endless Mountains]] to the north and west, and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The city was founded in 1769, incorporated as a borough in 1806, and re-incorporated as a city in 1869. It experienced significant growth in the 19th century due to the development of nearby [[anthracite]] coal mines and a large influx of immigrant labor. Industrial expansion continued into the early 20th century, with the population peaking at over 86,000 in 1930. Following [[World War II]], the city's economy declined due to the collapse of industry and the 1959 [[Knox Mine disaster]], which rendered much of the region's coal mining infrastructure unusable. In the 21st century, the city's population is approximately half its 1930 peak, but it remains the largest city in Luzerne County and the 13th-largest city in Pennsylvania.
==History==
===18th century===
{{See also|Pennamite–Yankee War|Pennsylvania in the American Revolution}}
[[File:A Map Of The State Of Pennsylvania by Reading Howell, 1792.jpg|thumb|A 1792 map of [[Pennsylvania]] with Wilkes-Barre visible in the [[Northeastern Pennsylvania|northeast]]; at the time, [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Luzerne County]] occupied a vast portion of Northeastern Pennsylvania]]
By the 18th century, the [[Wyoming Valley]] was inhabited by the [[Shawnee]] and [[Lenape]], also known as Delaware Indian tribes. In 1753, the Susquehanna Company was founded in [[Connecticut Colony|Connecticut]] for settling the Wyoming Valley in present-day [[Pennsylvania]]. Connecticut succeeded in purchasing the land from the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]]; however, Pennsylvania already claimed the very same territory through a purchase they made in 1736. In 1762, roughly two hundred Connecticut settlers ([[Yankee]]s) established a settlement near [[Mill Creek (Susquehanna River tributary)|Mill Creek]]. They planted wheat and constructed log cabins. The Yankees returned to [[New England]] for the winter.<ref name="pagenweb.org">{{cite web |title=Early Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co., Pa. |url=http://www.pagenweb.org/~luzerne/patk/wb.htm |website=www.pagenweb.org |access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>
The Connecticut settlers returned in the spring of 1763 with their families and additional supplies. A party of [[Iroquois]] also visited the area with the dual purpose of turning the [[Lenape]] tribe against the colonists and killing [[Teedyuscung]], a local Lenape chief. On April 19, 1763, the residence of the chief, along with several others, was set ablaze. Chief Teedyuscung perished in the inferno. The Iroquois let the Lenape believe that this atrocity was committed by the settlers. As a result, the Lenape attacked the colonists on October 15, 1763, killing thirty settlers and taking several others as prisoners. Those who managed to escape fled back to [[New England]]. The Lenape then burned what was left of the settlement.<ref name="pagenweb.org" />
[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Colonel Isaac Barré - Gilbert Stuart - overall.jpg|thumb|''[[Portrait of Isaac Barré]]'' by [[Gilbert Stuart]], 1785. The city was named after Barré and [[John Wilkes]].]]
In 1769, the Yankees returned to the Wyoming Valley. Five townships were established by Connecticut. Each one was five square miles and divided amongst forty settlers. [[Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre Township]] was one of the original townships; it was named in honor of [[John Wilkes]] and [[Isaac Barré]]—two British members of [[Parliament of Great Britain|Parliament]] who supported [[colonial America]]. Pennsylvanians (Pennamites) also arrived in the valley that same year.<ref name="pagenweb.org" />
The Connecticut settlers established Fort Durkee, which was named in honor of their leader, Colonel Durkee. This was immediately followed by the [[Pennamite-Yankee War]]—a series of skirmishes between Pennsylvanian and Connecticut settlers. The land changed hands several times between the two groups. The [[Congress of the Confederation]] was asked to resolve the matter. With the Decree of Trenton, on December 30, 1782, the confederation government officially decided that the region belonged to Pennsylvania, and the Wyoming Valley became part of [[Northumberland County, Pennsylvania|Northumberland County]].<ref name="pagenweb.org" />
During the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] two forts were built at Wilkes-Barre. Fort Wilkes-Barre was completed in 1778 but was abandoned and burned later that year following the [[Battle of Wyoming]]. Fort Wyoming (later renamed [[Fort Dickinson]]) was constructed when the [[Continental Army]] reoccupied the Wyoming Valley and served as a staging area for the [[Sullivan Expedition]] in 1779.<ref name="Harvey">{{cite book |last1=Harvey |first1=Oscar Jewell |title=A History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |date=1909 |volume=2 |publisher=Raeder Press |___location=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwilkesb02harv_0}}</ref>
After the Revolutionary War the State of Pennsylvania ruled that the Connecticut settlers were not citizens of Pennsylvania. They were not permitted to vote and were ordered to give up their property claims. In May 1784, armed men from Pennsylvania force-marched the Connecticut settlers away from the valley. By November, the Yankees returned with a greater force. They captured and destroyed Fort Dickinson in Wilkes-Barre. With that victory, a new state (which was separate from both Connecticut and Pennsylvania) was proposed. The new state was to be named [[State of Westmoreland|Westmoreland]]. To ensure that they didn't lose the land, Pennsylvania's state government negotiated a compromise with the Connecticut (Yankee) settlers. The Yankee settlers would become citizens of Pennsylvania and their property claims would be restored prior to the Decree of Trenton. As part of the compromise, Pennsylvania would establish a new county in [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]]. The Yankees agreed to the terms.<ref name="pagenweb.org" />
On September 25, 1786, the [[Pennsylvania General Assembly]] passed a resolution which created Luzerne County. It was formed from a section of Northumberland County and named after [[Chevalier de la Luzerne]], a [[French Royal Army (1652–1830)|French soldier]] and [[diplomat]] during the 18th century. Wilkes-Barre became the [[county seat|seat of government]] for the new territory. This resolution ended the idea of creating a new state.<ref name="pagenweb.org" /><ref>{{cite web |title=History – Kingston Borough |url=http://kingstonpa.org/history |website=kingstonpa.org}}</ref><ref>[http://colonialwarsct.org/1769.htm 1769 The Pennamite Wars], The Society of Colonial Wars in Connecticut. Accessed March 26, 2017.</ref>
In 1797, several decades after the community's founding, [[Louis Philippe I|Louis Philippe]], later the King of France from 1830 to 1848, stayed in Wilkes-Barre while traveling to the [[French Azilum|French Asylum]] settlement.<ref>{{cite web |title="A History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania" Page 14, 1909 |url=http://www.mocavo.com/A-History-of-Wilkes-Barre-Luzerne-County-Pennsylvania-Volume-I/103014/20 |publisher=Mocavo.com |date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
===19th century===
{{See also|Pennsylvania in the American Civil War}}
[[File:Birds eye view of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (2675064226).jpg|thumb|An 1872 panoramic map of Wilkes-Barre]]
[[File:HotelSterlingWilkesBarre.jpg|thumb|The [[Hotel Sterling]], built in 1897]]
Wilkes-Barre's population skyrocketed due to the discovery of [[anthracite|anthracite coal]] in the 19th century. In 1808, Judge [[Jesse Fell]] of Wilkes-Barre discovered a solution to ignite anthracite with the usage of an iron grate; it allowed for the coal to light and burn more easily. This invention increased the popularity of anthracite as a fuel source. This led to the expansion of the coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania; Wilkes-Barre was nicknamed "The Diamond City" due to its high [[productivity]] of mining coal. The growing demand for coal as a domestic heat source resulted in changes to patterns of immigration to Wilkes-Barre in the 19th century. The [[American Guide Series|Pennsylvania guide]], compiled by the Writers' Program of the [[Works Progress Administration]] in 1940, noted that:<ref>{{Cite book|title=Pennsylvania: A Guide to the Keystone State|last=Federal Writers' Project|date=1940|publisher=Oxford University Press|edition=1st|page=336|___location=New York}}</ref>{{Blockquote
|text=Until 1870 all immigration was from the north of Europe, with the Irish predominating. Then mine operators sent representatives to central and southern Europe to induce peasants to come to the American coal fields. Many of the older workers consequently were supplanted by newcomers willing to work for low wages, and bitter conflicts followed. The cleavage along national lines, however, gave to Wilkes-Barre such picturesque sections as Five Points, now East End, where a crowd of miners used to gather nightly on the steps of Mackin Brothers' Store, a scene described by Con Carbon in a popular ballad of the 1890s:<poem style="margin-left: 2em;">
And once thy peaceful tide
The Far Downs and [[Connacht|Connaught]] men
Fight, and then make up again,
Dutch and Scotch and English men—
All like chickens in a pen.
The powder smoke does be so thick,
You could not cut it with a pick,
The smell of gas would make you sick
In front of Mackin's store.</poem>
|author=Federal Writers'Project|title="Part II: Cities and Towns" |source=''Pennsylvania: A Guide to the Keystone State'' (1940)
}}
Throughout the 1800s, [[canals]] and [[railroads]] were constructed to aid in the mining and transportation of coal. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants flocked to the city; they were seeking jobs in the numerous mines and collieries that sprang up throughout the [[Coal Region|region]]. In 1806, Wilkes-Barre Borough was formed from a segment of Wilkes-Barre Township; it was later incorporated as a city in 1871. This was the direct result of the population boom. At its peak, Wilkes-Barre had a population of over 86,000 in the 1930s and 40s.
New industries were established and the [[Vulcan Iron Works (Wilkes-Barre)|Vulcan Iron Works]] was a well-known manufacturer of railway locomotives from 1849 to 1954. During Wilkes-Barre's reign as an industrial and economic force in America, several major companies and franchises became based in the city, such as [[F.W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]]'s, Sterling Hotels, Miner's Bank, [[Bell Telephone Company|Bell Telephone]], Luzerne National Bank, and [[Lion Brewery, Inc.|Stegmaier]].<ref>Pennsylvania Historical Society</ref>
Even though the overall economy was doing very well, the city was still prone to natural disasters. Besides frequent flooding from the Susquehanna River, Wilkes-Barre also endured a devastating [[Fujita scale|F3]] [[tornado]] on [[1890 Wilkes-Barre tornado|August 19, 1890]]. The twister killed 16 people, injured 50, damaged or destroyed 260 buildings, and cost at least $240,000 (in 1890 money).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/bgm/august191890wilkesbarretornado|title=August 19, 1890 Wilkes Barre Tornado|first=NOAA|last=US Department of Commerce|website=www.weather.gov}}</ref>
===20th century===
[[File:Child Labor in United States, coal mines Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|Children working in Wilkes-Barre's coal industry in 1906 prior to the implementation of federal child labor laws]]
[[File:South Main Street, from Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pa (70260).jpg|thumb|South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, {{Circa|1940}}]]
Wilkes-Barre is located within Pennsylvania's [[Coal Region]]. The anthracite coal mining industry, and its extensive use of [[child labor]] in the early 20th century, was one of the industries targeted by the [[National Child Labor Committee]] and its hired photographer, [[Lewis Hine]]. Many of Hine's subjects were photographed in the mines and coal fields near Wilkes-Barre. The impact of the Hine photographs led to the enactment of [[child labor laws]] across the country.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/art/photo/hinex/empire/biography.html | title = About Lewis Wickes Hine | publisher = New York Public Library | access-date = May 22, 2007 | first = Anthony T | last = Troncale |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070308123219/http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/art/photo/hinex/empire/biography.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 8, 2007}}</ref>
The coal industry continued despite several disasters, including an explosion at Wilkes-Barre's [[Baltimore Mine Tunnel Disaster (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)|Baltimore Colliery]] in 1919, which killed 92 miners. The industry declined when the United States switched to other energy sources, and most coal operations had left Wilkes-Barre by the end of [[World War II]]. The 1959 [[Knox Mine Disaster]], resulting in the flooding of numerous mines, marked the end of large-scale coal mining in the area. Industrial restructuring also caused the city to lose jobs and begin a decades-long decline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pagenweb.org/~luzerne/mines/knox.htm|title=Knox Mine Disaster|website=www.pagenweb.org|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>
In 1926, [[Planters|Planters Peanuts Company]] was founded in Wilkes-Barre by two Italian immigrants. The company maintained its headquarters in the city until 1961.<ref>Staff. [http://www.pennlive.com/life/2016/07/14_things_you_didnt_know_about.html "14 things you didn't know about Mr. Peanut as he heads to Mechanicsburg"], ''[[The Patriot-News]]'', July 13, 2016. Accessed March 26, 2017. "Amedeo Obici, along with his friend and business partner, Mario Peruzzi, founded Planters Peanut Co. in Wilkes-Barre in 1906."</ref> In 1929, baseball player [[Babe Ruth]] hit one of the longest home runs in history at [[Artillery Park (baseball)|Artillery Park]] in Wilkes-Barre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-269068 |title=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees |publisher=Minorleaguebaseball.com |date=October 12, 1926 |access-date=June 24, 2010}}</ref>
On November 8, 1972, Wilkes-Barre became the birthplace of modern [[cable television]] programming when [[HBO|Home Box Office (HBO)]] launched over the city's Teleservice Cable system (now [[Service Electric|Service Electric Cable]]). Around 365 Teleservice subscribers were the first to receive the premium cable service when it commenced broadcasts. As local ordinances prohibiting direct-to-cable telecasts of theatrical feature films prevented [[Time Inc.|Time-Life]] from launching HBO over its New York City-based Sterling Manhattan cable franchise, the company initially sought an agreement with Teleservice to launch it on the provider's [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] system; possible [[Blackout (broadcasting)|television blackout]] conflicts for HBO-televised [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] games, as Allentown was located within the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]'s {{convert|75|mi|km|adj=on|disp=sqbr}} blackout radius, resulted in Teleservice electing to offer it on its Wilkes-Barre system instead.<ref>Nissley, Erin L. [http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-history-nepa-put-hbo-on-the-dial-1.1579237 "Local History: NEPA put HBO on the dial"], ''[[The Scranton Times-Tribune]]'', November 3, 2013. Accessed March 26, 2017. "Home Box Office, known more commonly as HBO, got its start in 1972 with about 365 subscribers in Wilkes-Barre. It was the channel's first affiliation."</ref>
Wilkes-Barre became the site of [[1982 Wilkes-Barre shootings|a shooting spree]] on September 25, 1982. George Emil Banks killed 13 people and wounded one.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/26/world/gunman-kills-13-in-a-pennsylvania-rampage.html|title=GUNMAN KILLS 13 IN A PENNSYLVANIA RAMPAGE|first1=William|last1=Robbins|first2=Special To the New York|last2=Times|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 26, 1982}}</ref> Banks was deemed incompetent to be executed yet currently resides on death row.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov/#/|title=Inmate/Parolee Locator|website=inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov}}</ref>
====Flooding====
[[File:Flood Walls on Market Street in Wilkes-Barre.jpg|thumb|Temporary [[flood wall]]s on Market Street in Wilkes-Barre in September 2011]]
[[File:Wilkes Barre Flood.jpg|thumb|Wilkes-Barre during the September 2011 flood]]
Manufacturing and retail remained Wilkes-Barre's strongest industries, but the city's economy took a major blow from [[Hurricane Agnes|Tropical Storm Agnes]] in 1972. The storm pushed the [[Susquehanna River]] to a height of nearly {{convert|41|ft}}, four feet above the city's [[levee]]s, flooding downtown with nine feet of water. A total of 128 deaths were attributed to the storm. Most drowning deaths were caused by people trapped in their cars. Almost 400,000 homes and businesses were destroyed and 220,000 Pennsylvanians were left homeless (as were hundreds of thousands in other states). Damage was estimated to be $2.1 billion in Pennsylvania alone. President [[Richard Nixon]] sent aid to the area, after flying over in his helicopter on his way to his [[Camp David]] retreat (on June 24, 1972).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/hurricane-agnes-a-look-back-after-40-years/2012/06/21/gJQAnDS0sV_blog.html|title=Hurricane Agnes: A look back after 40 years|first=Don|last=Lipman|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=June 21, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonian.com/2012/06/19/deluge/|title=Retrospective: The Damage Caused by Hurricane Agnes – Washingtonian|date=June 19, 2012}}</ref>
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Wilkes-Barre attempted to prevent the damage from storms as intense as Agnes by building a levee system that rises {{convert|41|ft}}; completed in January 2003, the network of levees cost roughly $250 million.<ref>Skrapits, Eizabeth. [http://citizensvoice.com/news/four-years-later-levee-system-standing-tall-1.1939307 "Four years later, levee system standing tall"], ''[[The Citizens' Voice]]'', September 9, 2015. Accessed March 27, 2017. "The levee was officially completed on Jan. 14, 2003. The cost totaled more than $250 million. Belleman said the system was designed for an Agnes-level flood of 41 feet, but it held up under the larger Tropical Storm Lee flood."</ref> It has successfully resisted other threatening floods in 1996, 2004, and 2006. The [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]] has praised the quality of the levees. In 2006, the city made the front page of national newspapers when 200,000 residents were told to evacuate in the wake of flooding that was forecast to reach levels near that of 1972, though the flooding fell short of predictions.<ref>Staff. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/06/29/east.flood/index.html?eref=sitesearch " Levees hold Susquehanna; Delaware River rages; Wilkes-Barre evacuees head back home; death toll rises"], [[CNN]], June 29, 2006. Accessed March 27, 2007. "The news was better in northeastern Pennsylvania, where a mandatory evacuation affecting up to 200,000 people in Wilkes-Barre and a nearby valley area was lifted.Officials said the city's $175 million levee system held back the rising Susquehanna River despite floods caused by overflowing tributaries and creeks, and rain that averaged a half-inch an hour in some areas."</ref>
In late August 2011, [[Hurricane Irene 2011|Hurricane Irene]], centered off the [[New Jersey]] coast, caused the Susquehanna River to rise to flood level, but there was no cause for alarm. Then, from September 6 to 8, heavy rains from the inland remnants of [[Tropical Storm Lee (2011)|Tropical Storm Lee]] and [[Hurricane Katia (2011)|Hurricane Katia]] offshore funneled heavy rain over the Wyoming Valley and into the Susquehanna River watershed. The Susquehanna swelled to record levels across the state. In Wilkes-Barre, it crested on September 9 at an all-time record of {{convert|42.66|ft|0}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=bgm&gage=wbrp1|title=Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service for the Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre |publisher=NOAA National Weather Service |access-date=September 9, 2011}}</ref> nearly {{convert|2|ft|1}} higher than water levels reached during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The levees protected Wilkes-Barre, but nearby boroughs did not escape, as [[West Pittston, Pennsylvania|West Pittston]], [[Plymouth, Pennsylvania|Plymouth]], and parts of [[Plains Township, Pennsylvania|Plains Township]] were affected by extreme flooding.
===21st century===
====Revitalization and construction====
[[File:Wilkes-Barre Historic District.jpg|thumb|[[Weiss Hall]], built in 1895, is now part of the [[River Street Historic District (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)|River Street Historic District]]]]
[[File:Wilkes-Barre.jpg|thumb|The public square in Wilkes-Barre]]
On June 9, 2005, [[Thomas M. Leighton]], the city's mayor, unveiled his ''"I believe..."'' campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits. Construction began on a planned downtown theatre complex, which had a grand opening on June 30, 2006. Renovation of the landmark [[Hotel Sterling]] was being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. The expansion of [[Wilkes University]] and [[King's College (Pennsylvania)|King's College]] took place. Also, the canopy and matching street lights in Public Square and across downtown were removed; they were replaced by new green lampposts.
Wilkes-Barre celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2006. Several events, including a [[Beach Boys]] concert, were planned but canceled due to extremely heavy rains. Most of the city's population was ordered to evacuate on June 28, 2006, and the [[wikt:bicentennial|Bicentennial]] celebration was postponed to Labor Day weekend.
The Riverfront revitalization project (River Common), broke ground in 2007 and was completed in early 2010. It has made the riverfront accessible to the public. The area also has a new amphitheater for live performances and improved access through ramps and sidewalks. Fountains and color-changing lights have been added underneath two bridges which carry pedestrian traffic across the normally-open [[levee]]. The project stretches approximately four blocks from the [[Luzerne County Courthouse]] to the intersection of South River Street and West South Street. The River Common has since hosted concerts and charity events.
Since completion of the River Common, additional improvements to city infrastructure have been progressing. New crosswalks have been installed downtown, including signage emphasizing that pedestrians have the right-of-way. The completion of the James F. Conahan Intermodal Transportation Facility has added parking and relocated Luzerne County buses from their former Public Square staging sites. This has reduced traffic congestion around the square. Private carrier Martz offers coach bus service from the terminal as well.<ref name="transportation-1">{{cite web | url=http://citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-intermodal-center-opens-today-1.878566#axzz1VC0wh5As|title=W-B intermodal center opens today|date=July 6, 2010|publisher=Citizens Voice|access-date=August 16, 2011}}</ref>
The widening and realignment of Coal Street, a major road connecting Wilkes-Barre City with Wilkes-Barre Township, was completed in 2012. The new Coal Street provides four lanes over the original two lanes, making travel between the highly commercial Wilkes-Barre Township and the city much easier. In 2013, [[Hotel Sterling]] was demolished due to flood damage in the hotel's basement (which compromised the building's integrity). As of today, several buildings are in the process of being constructed on the site of the former hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/697243/developer-presents-plans-for-former-hotel-sterling-site|title=Developer presents plans for former Hotel Sterling site - Times Leader|date=March 20, 2018|website=timesleader.com|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>
== Geography ==
[[File:Wilkes-Barre with Susquehanna River.jpg|thumb|The [[Susquehanna River]] and Wilkes-Barre]]
[[File:Wilkes-BarreNight.JPG|thumb|Downtown Wilkes-Barre at night]]
[[File:Steigmier Brewery PA.jpg|thumb|The [[Lion Brewery, Inc.|Stegmaier Federal Building]]]]
[[File:Roth Residence Hall Wilkes Barre PA.JPG|thumb|[[River Street Historic District (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)|Roth Residence Hall]]]]
[[File:McClintock Hall Wilkes B PA.jpg|thumb|[[McClintock Hall]], built in 1841]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.2|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|6.8|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi}}, or 4.60%, is water. The city is bordered by the [[Susquehanna River]] to the west. Most of Downtown is located on a wide [[floodplain]]. [[Floodwall]]s were constructed to protect a large percentage of the city. The elevation of the downtown area is about {{convert|550|ft}} above sea level. As you travel inland, away from the river, the elevation rises. Wilkes-Barre Mountain is a physical barrier southeast of the city.
The contiguous network of 5 cities and more than 40 boroughs all built in a straight line in Northeastern Pennsylvania's urban area act culturally and logistically as one continuous city, so while the city of Wilkes-Barre itself is a smaller town, the larger unofficial city of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre contains nearly half a million residents in roughly 200 square miles.
Wilkes-Barre is located approximately {{convert|63|mi|km}} northwest of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], and {{convert|113|mi|km}} northwest of [[Philadelphia]]. Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the [[Pocono Mountains]] to the east, the [[Endless Mountains]] to the north and west, and the [[Lehigh Valley]] to the south. The [[Susquehanna River]] flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city.
=== Neighborhoods ===
Wilkes-Barre houses over one dozen neighborhoods:
* '''Central City:''' It is also referred to as "[[Downtown]]." This section of the city is located between the Susquehanna River and Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, and between South and North Streets. It is the original foundation of Wilkes-Barre (the 16 blocks claimed by the Connecticut settlers who founded the city). The neighborhood is home to most of the city's [[high-rise]]s and its one [[Town square|Public Square]]. Throughout the city's history, the area has remained a hub for all of Luzerne County. During the city's boom, this small area was home to the headquarters of more than 100 national corporations. Today, it still houses the NEPA Headquarters for Verizon, Citizen's Bank, Blue Cross, PNC Bank, Luzerne National Bank, Guard Insurance, and a number of other companies. Thousands of people live and/or work in Downtown Wilkes-Barre every day.
* '''North End:''' This is the area northeast of Downtown. It comprises a number of urban and suburban communities. North End is renowned for its architecture.
* '''Parsons:''' This neighborhood is also northeast of Downtown. This is a quiet part of the city (with a suburban atmosphere). It includes two city parks, a golf course, and a number of factories.
* '''Miners' Mills:''' This community was named after a prominent local family (who lived in the area). Miners' Mills is the last neighborhood on the northeastern border of the city.
* '''East End:''' This neighborhood is directly east of Downtown. East End, Heights, and Mayflower are fairly new areas compared to the rest of the city, having only been developed in the 20th century. Old pictures of the [[Lion Brewery, Inc.|Stegmaier Building]] indicate that everything east of Downtown was undeveloped until the 1900s.
* '''Heights:''' This section of the city is located southeast of Downtown. It is centered between East End and Mayflower.
* '''Mayflower:''' This area is located south of Downtown. It was once home to numerous mansions owned by various "bigwigs." Today it houses the OKT, Lincoln Plaza, and Park Avenue residential housing communities. The best view of Downtown can be seen from the high streets of Mayflower.
* '''South Wilkes-Barre:''' This neighborhood is located directly southwest of Downtown. It was home to the national headquarters of Planter's Peanuts and the Bell Telephone Company (in the 20th century). One of the tallest churches in Luzerne County, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, dominates the south end skyline (standing at nearly 200 feet).
* '''Goose Island:''' This area is located in the southwestern section of the city between South Wilkes-Barre and Rolling Mill Hill.
* '''Rolling Mill Hill:''' This neighborhood is also located in the southwestern part of the city.
* '''Iron Triangle:''' This is another community southwest of Downtown.
* '''Other neighborhoods and sub-neighborhoods:''' There are other smaller neighborhoods and sub-neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre City (e.g., Brookside, Upper Miners' Mills, Lower Miners' Mills, and Barney Farms).
=== Adjacent municipalities ===
* [[Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre Township]] (southeast)
* [[Plains Township, Pennsylvania|Plains Township]] (east and northeast)
* [[Kingston, Pennsylvania|Kingston]] (north)
* [[Edwardsville, Pennsylvania|Edwardsville]] (northwest)
* [[Larksville, Pennsylvania|Larksville]] (west)
* [[Hanover Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]] (southwest)
* [[Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania|Bear Creek Township]] (southwest)
=== Climate ===
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Wilkes-Barre falls within either a [[hot-summer humid continental climate]] (''Dfa'') if the {{convert|0|°C}} isotherm is used or a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') if the {{convert|-3|°C}} isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Winters are cold with a January average of {{convert|28.0|°F|1}}.<ref name="NCDC txt KAVP" /> The surrounding mountains have an influence on the climate (including both precipitation and temperatures), leading to wide variations within a short distance.<ref name = NOAALCD>{{Cite FTP |url= ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/lcd/annual/2014/01201413AVP.pdf |server= [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |url-status= dead |title= Local Climatological Data–Annual Summary with Comparative Data: Wilkes–Barre/Scranton |access-date = September 30, 2015}}</ref> On average, temperatures below {{convert|0|°F|1}} are infrequent, occurring 2.5 days per year, and there are 34.9 days where the maximum temperature remains below {{convert|32|°F|1}}.<ref name="NCDC txt KAVP" /> The average annual snowfall is {{convert|45.1|in|cm|0}} during the winter (in which severe snowstorms are rare).<ref name=NOAALCD /><ref name="NCDC txt KAVP" /> However, when snowstorms do occur, they can disrupt normal routines for several days.<ref name=NOAALCD />
Summers are warm with a July average of {{convert|73.7|°F|1}}.<ref name="NCDC txt KAVP" /> In an average summer, temperatures exceeding {{convert|90|°F|1}} occur on 11.7 days and but rarely exceed {{convert|100|°F|1}}.<ref name="NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)" /> Spring and fall are unpredictable with temperatures ranging from cold to warm (although they are usually mild). On average, Wilkes-Barre receives {{convert|38.72|in|sigfig=3}} of precipitation each year, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year (though the summer months receive more precipitation).<ref name="NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)" /> Extreme temperatures range from {{convert|-21|°F|1}} on January 21, 1994, to {{convert|103|°F|1}} on July 9, 1936.<ref name="NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)" /> Wilkes-Barre averages 2,303 hours of sunshine per year, ranging from a low of 96 hours in December (or 33% of possible sunshine) to 286 hours in July (or 62% of possible sunshine).<ref name="WMO KAVP" />
The [[hardiness zone]] is 6b except in downtown and other areas near the river which are 7a.<ref>[https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map]</ref> The city is significantly warmer than the W-B/Scranton Airport due to the airport's higher latitude and elevation.
{{Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania weatherbox}}
== Parks and recreation ==
[[File:Wilkes-Barre Commons.jpg|thumb|The River Common along the [[Susquehanna River]]]]
Wilkes-Barre has a Downtown Riverfront Park system that contains 91 acres of open space.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://tournepa.com/news/details.asp?tid=43&nid=305|title = Wilkes-Barre River Common|access-date = December 17, 2014|website = Tour NEPA|publisher = Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau}}</ref>
Kirby Park is a public park located along the western bank of the Susquehanna River. Kirby Park is one of the region's most valued recreational resources. Given to the city of Wilkes-Barre by the Kirby Family, the park welcomes hundreds of thousands each year. The park is the setting for the city's annual Cherry Blossom Festival (held during the last weekend of April) and the city's July 4 Celebration. Its amenities include tennis courts, a fitness trail, pond, walking paths, running track, softball fields, parking area, volleyball courts, pavilions, and more.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wilkes-barre.pa.us/parksandrecreation.php |title=Resident Services |publisher=Wilkes-barre.pa.us |access-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408080936/http://www.wilkes-barre.pa.us/parksandrecreation.php |archive-date=April 8, 2014 }}</ref>
Nesbitt Park is also located on the west side of the Susquehanna River. It is located across from Kirby Park. Nesbitt is open to the public. It has walking paths and areas for picnicking.
The River Common is located along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River. The Market Street Bridge bisects the park. The River Common joins with the Luzerne County Courthouse grounds. Its features include a 750-person amphitheater, paved walk-ways, gardens, ornamental trees, seating areas, a fishing pier, and two grand gateways connecting the city to the river.
== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1800= 835
|1810= 1225
|1820= 755
|1840= 1718
|1850= 2723
|1860= 4253
|1870= 10174
|1880= 23339
|1890= 37718
|1900= 51721
|1910= 67105
|1920= 73833
|1930= 86626
|1940= 86236
|1950= 76826
|1960= 63068
|1970= 58856
|1980= 51551
|1990= 47523
|2000= 43123
|2010= 41498
|2020= 44328
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 19, 2013|author-link=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
[[File:St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 01.jpg|thumb|[[St. Stephen's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)|St. Stephen's Church]] in Wilkes-Barre]]
The city's population was in constant decline from the 1930s through 2010, but losses stopped that decade, and it saw growth as of 2020. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 44,328 people and 15,581 households residing in the city. The population density was 5,945 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 69.80% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 14.90% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.40% [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 2.4% [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.20% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], and 4.60% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race were 21.0% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wilkesbarrecitypennsylvania,US/PST045221 | title=census 2020: Wilkes-Barre City |work=Cenus.gov |access-date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], the city was 79.2% White, 10.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.4% Asian, and 2.9% were two or more races. Of the population, 11.3% were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA |title=census 2010: Pennsylvania |work=USA Today |access-date=December 6, 2011}}</ref> The Hispanic population was just 1.58% of the population as of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 43,123 people, 17,961 households, and 9,878 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|6,296.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 20,294 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,963.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.30% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 5.09% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.11% [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.79% [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.53% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 1.15% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.58% of the population.
The average household size was 2.42. With population spread of 22.9% under the age of 18, 61.3% between the ages of 19–64, and 15.8% over the age of 65. Females made up 50.6% of the population.
The median household income was $37,902, while 26.6% of the city were found below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]]. The [[per capita income]] was $20,197.
==
The local [[Accent (dialect)|accent]] of [[American English]] is [[Northeast Pennsylvania English]].
===Religion===
More than half (59.3%) of the city's population is religious: 43.8% [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], 4.4% [[Methodism|Methodist]], 3.1% [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]], 2.0% [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]], 1.1% [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], 0.8% [[Judaism]], 0.6% [[Episcopalian]], 0.5% [[Baptist]], 0.5% [[Islam]], and 0.3% [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/pennsylvania/wilkes-barre|title=Wilkes-Barre, PA Religion|website=BestPlaces}}</ref>
== Economy ==
As of March 2019, [[per capita income|income per capita]] in Wilkes-Barre was $18,375, compared to the national average of $31,177. [[Median income|Household income]] was $32,484, compared to the national average of $57,652. Family median income was $42,782, compared to the national average of $70,850. The city's [[unemployment rate]] in March 2019 was 6.4%. Recent job growth was 0.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/pennsylvania/wilkes-barre|title=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Economy|website=www.bestplaces.net|access-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref> 49% of jobs were in sales, office, administrative support, production, transportation, and material moving sectors. In 2016, 30.1% of residents lived below the poverty line, more than double the Pennsylvania average of 12.9%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (PA) poverty rate data - information about poor and low income residents living in this city |url=http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Wilkes-Barre-Pennsylvania.html |website=www.city-data.com |year=2016}}</ref><!--comments? --> Large employers in the city include [[GUARD Insurance Group]] and [[Lord & Taylor]].
==Government==
=== City government ===
{{see also|List of mayors of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania}}
[[File:Wilkes-Barre City Hall.jpg|thumb|Wilkes-Barre City Hall]]
==== Executive ====
The city is headed by an elected [[mayor]], who serves four-year terms. The current mayor is George Brown ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]). He has been in office since 2019. Before becoming mayor he was a business man and a former city councilman.
==== Legislative ====
The legislative branch consists of a five-member [[City Council]]. They are elected by a [[single-member district]] to four-year terms. The following are current members of the council: Bill Barrett, Mike Belusko, Tony Brooks, Stan Mirin, and Jessica McClay.
{{Overly detailed|date=November 2021}}
==== Audit and Control ====
The office of Audit and Control is the third branch of Wilkes-Barre City government. It is headed by the City Controller, elected to a four-year term. Tony C. Thomas, the current City Controller, is a Democrat and has been in office since 2024.
==== Judicial ====
The city of Wilkes-Barre is served by two City Attorneys (Timothy Henry and Maureen Collins). They advise both the mayor and city council.
=== County government ===
{{see also|Luzerne County Council|Luzerne County Manager}}
[[File:Luzerne County Courthouse flickr.jpg|thumb|[[Luzerne County Courthouse]] houses the [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Luzerne County]] government.]]
The [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Luzerne County]] [[government]] operates out of Wilkes-Barre. The city is the [[county seat|administrative center]] of Luzerne County. The county government is responsible for imposing taxes, providing services to the public, and administering laws and regulations. They govern over a population of nearly 320,000 people. Many government offices are situated within the [[Luzerne County Courthouse|county courthouse]] (located at 200 North River Street in Downtown Wilkes-Barre). The Luzerne County [[Pennsylvania courts of common pleas|Court of Common Pleas]] also operates out of the same building.
On November 2, 2010, the voters of Luzerne County held a [[referendum]] on the question of [[List of Pennsylvania municipalities and counties with home rule charters, optional charters, or optional plans|home rule]]. A total of 51,413 (55.25%) voted in favor of home rule, while another 41,639 (44.75%) voted against the move. This vote was the direct result of the corruption, wasteful spending, higher property taxes, and out-of-control debt facing the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/departments_agencies/bureau_of_elections/election-results-archive |title=Election Results Archive |publisher=Luzerne County |access-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111220601/http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/departments_agencies/bureau_of_elections/election-results-archive |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The home rule charter took effect on January 2, 2012; the Luzerne County [[County commission|Board of Commissioners]] was abolished and replaced with the new form of government ([[council–manager government]]). This government consists of a [[Luzerne County Council|county council]]. The [[chairperson|council chair]], who is appointed by his or her fellow council members, is both the highest-ranking officer on the assembly and the [[head of government|head of county government]] for ceremonial purposes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/row_offices/controller/home-rule-charter |title=Home Rule Charter |publisher=Luzerne County |access-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204182339/http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/row_offices/controller/home-rule-charter |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The council also appoints and works alongside a full-time [[Luzerne County Manager|manager]] (who supervises the county's day-to-day operations).
The county government is also made up of many other officials (e.g., the county controller, [[district attorney]], and [[sheriff]]).
=== State and federal representation ===
{{See also|Pennsylvania General Assembly |United States Congress}}
==== State ====
* [[Eddie Day Pashinski]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) represents Wilkes-Barre in the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 121|Pennsylvania House of Representatives]].
* [[Marty Flynn]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) represents the city in the [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 22|Pennsylvania State Senate]].
==== Federal ====
* [[Rob Bresnahan]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]) represents Wilkes-Barre on the federal level (in the [[Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district|U.S. House of Representatives]]).
* [[Dave McCormick]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]) and [[John Fetterman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) represent the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the [[U.S. Senate]].
== Education ==
[[File:Campus aerial new 2014.jpg|thumb|The Administration Building at [[King's College (Pennsylvania)|King's College]] in February 2013]]
[[File:Osterhout Free Library Wilkes Barre PA.jpg|thumb|[[Osterhout Free Library]] in Wilkes-Barre in August 2012]]
===High schools===
{{Further|Wilkes-Barre Area School District}}
Wilkes-Barre City is part of the [[Wilkes-Barre Area School District]]. The district operates one high school, [[Wilkes-Barre Area High School]]. It opened in 2020 and replaced [[James M. Coughlin High School]], [[G. A. R. Memorial Junior Senior High School]], and [[Elmer L. Meyers High School]].
[[Holy Redeemer High School]] is a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] school in Wilkes-Barre managed by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton|Diocese of Scranton]].
===Colleges===
The area in and around Wilkes-Barre is home to several colleges and universities:
* [[Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine]], Wilkes Barre Campus
* [[King's College (Pennsylvania)|King's College]]
* [[Luzerne County Community College]]
* [[Misericordia University]]
* [[Penn State Wilkes-Barre]]
* [[Wilkes University]]
=== Libraries ===
Along with the libraries associated with the colleges, Wilkes-Barre has several libraries. These include three branches of the [[Osterhout Free Library]], with the headquarters for the [[Luzerne County Library System]] in the main branch.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://osterhout.info/about/locations-and-hours/|title=Locations & Hours – Osterhout Free Library|work=Osterhout Free Library|access-date=January 25, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luzernelibraries.org/|title=Luzerne County Libraries|website=www.luzernelibraries.org|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luzernelibraries.org/about.html|title=About the Luzerne County Library System|website=www.luzernelibraries.org|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref>
== Transportation ==
=== Airports ===
{{Further|Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport}}
[[File:KAVP Terminals.jpg|thumb|[[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport]] in April 2009]]
Two international airlines fly from the [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport]] in nearby [[Pittston Township, Pennsylvania|Pittston Township]]. Smaller, private planes may also use the [[Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport]] in [[Forty Fort, Pennsylvania|Forty Fort]].
===
[[Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 81]] passes north–south near Wilkes-Barre, and the city is also located near the [[Interstate 476|Northeast Extension]] of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It is also about {{convert|10|mi}} north of [[Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 80]]. The [[North Cross Valley Expressway]], starting at the junction of Interstate 81 and [[Pennsylvania Route 115]], carries [[Pennsylvania Route 309]] through northern Wilkes-Barre, connecting the city to [[Dallas, Pennsylvania|Dallas]] in the north. Route 115 provides access from the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]]'s [[Interstate 476|Northeast Extension]], but it does not enter Wilkes-Barre city limits.
===
[[Public transportation]] is provided by the [[Luzerne County Transportation Authority]]. In addition to servicing the city, it provides transportation for the northern half of the county. It also has a connecting bus to [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]] via an interchange at [[Pittston, Pennsylvania|Pittston]] with the [[County of Lackawanna Transit System|Transit System of Lackawanna County]] (COLTS), the public transit authority of [[Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania|Lackawanna County]].
[[Martz Trailways]] provides intercity bus service from the Martz Trailways Bus Terminal in downtown Wilkes-Barre to Scranton, [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]], and [[Wind Creek Bethlehem]].<ref name=martzschedule>{{cite web|title=Daily Passenger Service Schedules|publisher=Martz Group|url=http://martztrailways.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MartzSchedules717.pdf|access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref>
Several [[Share taxi#United States|jitney]] companies operate from Wilkes-Barre through Stroudsburg to [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] and [[New York City]] via I-80.
===Rail===
The city was at one time served by the [[Lehigh Valley Railroad]], [[Central Railroad of New Jersey]], the [[Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad]] (later [[Erie Lackawanna Railway]]), [[Delaware and Hudson Railway]], the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]], the [[Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad]], and the [[Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad]] (known as the Laurel Line). CNJ trains included the ''[[Interstate Express]]'' (ending in 1957) and local service to Allentown and Philadelphia. The last Lehigh Valley trains were the ''[[Black Diamond (train)|Black Diamond]]'' (ending in 1959), ''John Wilkes'' and ''[[Maple Leaf (LV train)|Maple Leaf]]'' (the last two, ending in 1961).
The Wilkes-Barre Traction Company formed a [[streetcar]] line from [[Georgetown, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Georgetown]] to [[Nanticoke, Pennsylvania|Nanticoke]] and over the river into [[Plymouth, Pennsylvania|Plymouth]] (it ceased operations in the mid-1940s).
The [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], which acquired the former Delaware and Hudson line from successor [[Canadian Pacific Railway]], and the [[Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway]], provide freight service within the city.
==Arts and culture==
[[File:WBArena.jpg|thumb|The [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]], an [[American Hockey League]] development team affiliated with the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], play at [[Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza|Mohegan Sun Arena]] in neighboring [[Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre Township]].]]
[[File:Mohegan Poconos hotelLuzCo PA.jpg|thumb|[[Mohegan Pennsylvania]] casino and hotel]]
=== Local attractions ===
* Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of [[Wilkes University]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/3812.asp |title=Wilkes Division of Performing Arts |publisher=Wilkes University |access-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401120423/http://wilkes.edu/pages/3812.asp |archive-date=April 1, 2014 }}</ref>
* [[F.M. Kirby Center|F. M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kirbycenter.org/ |title=The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts |publisher=Kirbycenter.org |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
* Frederick Stegmaier Mansion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stegmaiermansion.com/ |title=The Frederick Stegmaier Mansion |publisher=Stegmaiermansion.com |date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ltwb.org/ |title=Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre |publisher=Ltwb.org |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
* Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau
* [[Luzerne County Historical Society|Luzerne County Museum]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Luzerne County Historical Society |url=http://luzernehistory.org/ |title=Welcome to the Luzerne County Historical Society website | NEPA Luzerne County Pennsylvania history |publisher=Luzernehistory.org |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza]]
* [[Mohegan Pennsylvania]], Pennsylvania's first slots casino
* [[River Street Historic District (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)|River Street Historic District]]
* [[Stegmaier Brewery]]
* [[Wilkes-Barre station]]
* [[Wyoming Monument]]
=== Media ===
''[[Times Leader]]'' and ''[[The Citizens' Voice]]'' are the two largest daily newspapers in Wilkes-Barre. The [[Wyoming Valley]]'s [[NBC]] affiliate, [[WBRE-TV]] 28, is the only television station licensed to Wilkes-Barre, but [[WNEP-TV]] 16 ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]), [[WYOU]] 22 ([[CBS]]), [[WVIA-TV]] 44 ([[PBS]]), and [[WSWB]] 38 ([[The CW|CW]]), all in Scranton, [[WOLF-TV]] 56 ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]) in Hazleton, and [[WQMY]] 53 ([[MyNetworkTV]]) in Williamsport also serve the city. Wilkes-Barre's radio market is ranked No. 69 by [[Arbitron]]'s ranking system. There are news, adult alternative, and music radio stations which are receivable in the area.
===Popular culture===
* Wilkes-Barre's economic plight is featured in the movie ''[[Capitalism: A Love Story]]'', directed by [[Michael Moore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/facts/capitalism-love-story |title=Capitalism: A Love Story – facts |publisher=Michaelmoore.com |access-date=December 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129001005/http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/facts/capitalism-love-story |archive-date=November 29, 2011 }}</ref>
* The Wilkes-Barre variation (or Traxler variation, as it is more commonly known) of the [[Two Knights Defense|Two Knights' Defense]] is named for the Wilkes-Barre [[chess]] club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uschess.org/cc/dunne/alex_9805.html|title=Alex Dunne May 1998|publisher=uschess.org|access-date=September 13, 2014}}</ref>
* In the TV series ''[[Supernatural (U.S. TV series)|Supernatural]]'' episode 8.13 "Everyone Hates Hitler," the lead protagonists investigate a case in Wilkes-Barre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/index.php?title=8.13_Everybody_Hates_Hitler|title=8.13 Everybody Hates Hitler|work=supernaturalwiki.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rodfei.org/A_Golem_on_Supernatural|title=A Golem on Supernatural|work=Congregation Rodfei Zedek|date=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
* In the TV series ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'', In the episode "Michael's Birthday", Dwight gives Michael a jersey from the [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]], a local professional hockey team that plays in Wilkes-Barre. Throughout the series, there is a [[Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees]] magnet on the kitchen fridge.
* In the TV series ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'', Episode August 31, 2021, Phillip tells Belle that Brady and Chloe are in Wilkes-Barre. At the end of the episode, Phillip tells them to "fuel up the jet for Wilkes-Barre PA."
* The Wilkes-Barre police department appears on the TV docuseries ''[[On Patrol: Live]]''.
=== Sports ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Club
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | Established
! scope="col" | Parent Club
! scope="col" | League<br />Championships
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders]]
| [[International League|IL]], Baseball
| [[PNC Field]]
| 1989
| [[New York Yankees]]
| 2
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]], Ice hockey
| [[Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza]]
| 1999
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| 0{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Mavericks]]
| [[Arena Football One (2025)|AF1]], Arena football
| [[Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza]]
| 2024
| N/A
| 0
|}
== Notable people ==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Jane Alexander (politician)|Jane Alexander]], lawyer and Pennsylvania state representative
* [[1982 Wilkes-Barre shootings|George Emil Banks]], spree killer
* [[Hazel Barnes]], philosopher
* [[Douglas Carter Beane]], playwright<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasisjournals.com/2007/02/douglas-carter-beane-interview |title=Douglas Carter Beane: Interview |publisher=Oasis Journals |date=February 20, 2007 |access-date=December 6, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112115931/http://www.oasisjournals.com/2007/02/douglas-carter-beane-interview |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Al Bedner]], NFL player
* [[Ray Black]], Pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers
* [[David Bohm]], quantum physicist
* [[Fletcher C. Booker Jr.]], US Army major general<ref>{{cite web |date=October 11, 2012 |title=Obituary, Fletcher C. Booker Jr. |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jupiter-fl/fletcher-booker-5267141 |website=Dignity Memorial |___location=Houston, Texas |publisher=SCI Shared Resources, LLC. |access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref>
* [[Benjamin Burnley]], lead singer and guitarist for rock band [[Breaking Benjamin]]
* [[Lillian Cahn]], co-founder of [[Coach, Inc.]] and Coach handbag designer<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Vitello|title=Lillian Cahn, Creator of the Coach Handbag, Dies at 89 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/08/business/lillian-cahn-creator-of-the-coach-handbag-dies-at-89.html?_r=0 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 7, 2013 |access-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref>
* [[George Catlin]], artist
* [[Britton Chance]], bio-physicist and Olympic sailor
* [[Catherine Chandler]], poet
* [[Mark Ciavarella]], disgraced judge in [[kids for cash scandal]]
* [[Mark Cohen (photographer)|Mark Cohen]], street photographer
* [[Ed Cole (baseball)|Ed Cole]], Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Colleen Corby]], 1960s fashion model<ref>Kahn, S. "Modeling: Money and Madness!", ''Teen'', December 1963</ref>
* [[Michael Costello (racing driver)|Michael Costello]], racing driver
* [[Mary Helen Peck Crane]] (1827–1891), activist, writer; mother of [[Stephen Crane]]
* [[Amasa Dana]], former U.S. Congressman
* [[Charles B. Dougherty]], Army National Guard [[Major general (United States)|major general]] who commanded the [[28th Infantry Division (United States)|28th Infantry Division]]
* [[Mark Duda]], NFL player, [[Lackawanna College]] football head coach
* [[Francis Dunn (American football)|Francis A. "Mother" Dunn]], football player for the [[Canton Bulldogs]]
* [[Benjamin F. Evans Jr.]] (1912–1991), [[U.S. Army]] [[major general]], U.S. military's chief of joint U.S. military aid mission in [[Turkey]]<ref>''The Washington Post''. "BENJAMIN F. EVANS JR.
Army Major General". https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1991/09/06/col-robert-b-burke-dies/9c748214-1f0d-4641-98d6-84f45f3a8327/</ref>
* [[Pete Elko]], Major League Baseball third baseman
* [[David M. Evans|Dave Evans]], Hollywood filmmaker most known for the motion picture ''[[The Sandlot]]''
* [[Jesse Fell]], early experimenter with anthracite coal
* [[Pat Finn (game show host)|Pat Finn]], game show host whose shows include [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]]'s, [[The CBN Family Channel|The Family Channel]]'s, and [[Ion Television|PAX]]'s ''[[Shop 'til You Drop]]''
* [[Ham Fisher]], cartoonist
* [[Red Davis]], [[Third baseman]] for The [[New York Giants (baseball)]] 1941
* [[Tess Gardella]], actress
* [[Billy Goeckel]], baseball player
* [[Bob Good]], U.S. congressman
* [[Kevin Gryboski]], Retired Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[William Harmatz]], jockey, winner of 1959 [[Preakness Stakes]]
* [[Laning Harvey]], Pennsylvania state senator
* [[Mickey Haslin]], Major League Baseball infielder
* [[George Washington Helme]], businessman and founder of [[Helmetta, New Jersey]]
* [[Joe Hergert]], former professional football player
* [[William Henry Hines]], U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district from 1893 to 1895
* [[Raye Hollitt]], bodybuilder and actress
* [[Qadry Ismail]], former [[NFL]] wide receiver on the [[Baltimore Ravens]]
* [[Raghib Ismail]], former [[NFL]] player and [[Heisman Trophy]] runner-up
* [[Florence Foster Jenkins]], unconventional operatic soprano, subject of [[Florence Foster Jenkins (film)|film]] starring [[Meryl Streep]]
* [[Candy Jones]], fashion model, writer, radio personality<ref>Flint, Peter B. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/19/obituaries/candy-jones-dies-ex-model-teacher-and-writer-was-64.html "Candy Jones Dies; Ex-Model, Teacher, And Writer Was 64"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 19, 1990. Retrieved December 20, 2007.</ref>
* [[Dorothy Andrews Elston Kabis]], [[Treasurer of the United States]]
* [[James Karen]], actor
* [[Mary Holland Kinkaid]], journalist
* [[Michael J. Kirwan]], represented Youngstown, Ohio in Congress, 1938–1970
* [[Al Klawitter]], Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Franz Kline]], [[abstract expressionist]] painter
* [[Mike Konnick]], former [[MLB]] player
* [[Mary Jo Kopechne]], passenger killed in car driven by [[Ted Kennedy]] at [[Chappaquiddick Island|Chappaquiddick]]
* [[Harley Jane Kozak]], actress and author
* [[Matthew Lesko]], infomercial personality
* [[Edward B. Lewis]], winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine
* [[Santo Loquasto]], production designer
* [[Garrick Mallery]], ethnologist
* [[Herman Mankiewicz]], screenwriter of ''[[Citizen Kane]]''
* [[Joseph L. Mankiewicz]], Academy Award-winning director and producer
* [[Al Markim]], actor ([[Tom Corbett, Space Cadet#Television|''Tom Corbett, Space Cadet'']])<ref name=thr>{{cite news|first=Mike|last=Barnes |title=Al Markim, Actor on the 1950s TV Serial 'Tom Corbett, Space Cadet,' Dies at 88 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/al-markim-dead-tom-corbett-844063 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Mary McDonnell]], actress twice nominated for Academy Award
* [[Edward Peter McManaman]], Roman Catholic bishop
* [[Edward Meneeley]], painter
* [[Asher Miner]], U.S. Army brigadier general and prominent businessman<ref name="Leonard2">{{cite book |editor-last=Leonard |editor-first=John W. |date=1922 |title=Who's who in Finance, Banking, and Insurance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9aooAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA474 |___location=Brooklyn, NY |publisher=Who's Who In Finance Incorporated |page=474 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
* [[Albert Mudrian]], author and magazine editor
* [[Leo C. Mundy]], Pennsylvania state senator and physician
* [[Jozef Murgas]], radio pioneer
* [[Joe Murray (baseball)|Joe Murray]], left-handed pitcher for the [[Philadelphia A's]]
* [[Claudette Nevins]], actress
* [[Edward Novitski]], geneticist
* [[Amedeo Obici]], founder of Planters Peanuts
* [[Kid O'Hara]], baseball player
* [[Rose O'Neill]], cartoonist, illustrator, artist, and writer.
* [[Jerry Orbach]], [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]]-winning actor
* [[Phil Ostrowski]], NFL player
* [[John Paluck]], football player for [[Washington Redskins]] and [[Pro Bowl]] selection
* [[Joseph F. Perugino]], US Army major general<ref name="Marshal">{{cite news |date=October 19, 1997 |title=Perugino named parade marshal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-marshal/173870254/ |work=[[Times Leader]] |___location=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |page=5B |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[William Daniel Phillips]], co-recipient of the 1997 [[Nobel Prize in Physics]]
* [[Mendy Rudolph]], [[NBA]] [[Official (basketball)|referee]] from 1953 to 1975
* [[Sam Savitt]], equestrian artist, author
* [[Michael Schoeffling]], actor, played Jake Ryan in film ''[[Sixteen Candles]]''
* [[Don Schwall]], MLB pitcher
* [[M. Gerald Schwartzbach]], California criminal defense attorney<ref>{{cite news|title=Attorney Makes Mark by Taking Cases That Others Avoid|author=Andrew Blankstein|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 28, 2005|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/813239741.html?dids=813239741:813239741&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+28,+2005&author=Andrew+Blankstein&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=CALIFORNIA;+PROFILE+%7C+M.+GERALD+SCHWARTZBACH;+Attorney+Makes+Mark+by+Taking+Cases+Others+Avoid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315125833/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/813239741.html?dids=813239741:813239741&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+28,+2005&author=Andrew+Blankstein&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=CALIFORNIA;+PROFILE+%7C+M.+GERALD+SCHWARTZBACH;+Attorney+Makes+Mark+by+Taking+Cases+Others+Avoid|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 15, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Greg Skrepenak]], former [[NFL]] player, convicted felon
* [[Jonathan Slavin]], [[character actor]]
* [[Ron Solt]], former [[NFL]] player
* [[Jason Spisak]], voice actor
* [[Harold Raynsford Stark]], [[Chief of Naval Operations]] 1939-1942
* [[Jacob Sullum]], journalist and author, featured in [[Academy Award]]-nominated documentary ''[[Super Size Me]]''<ref>Sullum, Jacob (January 4, 2011) [http://reason.com/blog/2011/01/04/first-wine-now-beer-in-some-pe First Wine, Now Beer in (Some) Pennsylvania Supermarkets; Coming Soon: Cats and Dogs Living Together], ''[[Reason Magazine|Reason]]''</ref>
* [[Bob Sura]], basketball player, [[Houston Rockets]]
* [[Ferrante & Teicher|Louis Teicher]], pianist; member of the duo Ferrante & Teicher
* [[Alexis Toth]] (St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre), saint in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]
* [[Ty Tyson (baseball)|Ty Tyson]]
* [[John Walsh (baseball)|John Walsh]], MLB third baseman
* [[Helen L. Webster]] (1853–1928), philologist and educator
* [[Michael Whalen (actor)|Michael Whalen]], actor
* [[Ira W. Wood]], represented {{ushr|New Jersey|4}} from 1904 to 1913<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000695 Ira Wells Wood], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Retrieved September 6, 2007.</ref>
* [[Hal Woodeshick]], professional baseball player
* [[Tom Woodeshick]], professional football player<ref>{{cite web | title = Tom Woodeshick | publisher = NFL Enterprises | url = http://www.nfl.com/player/tomwoodeshick/2529322/profile | access-date = November 23, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Frank Zane]], bodybuilder, three-time Mr. Olympia, won Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. World; donated gym at Wilkes University
{{div col end}}
== See also ==
* [[Giants Despair Hillclimb]]
* [[USS Wilkes-Barre|USS ''Wilkes-Barre'']]
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Wilkes-Barre}}
* {{Official|www.wilkes-barre.city}}
* [https://www.wilkes-barre.org/ Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Wilkes-Barré|short=x}}
{{Geographic ___location
|Centre = Wilkes-Barre
|North = [[File:PA-309.svg|25px]] [[Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania|Tunkhannock]]
|Northeast = [[File:I-81.svg|20px]] [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]]
|East = [[File:PA-115.svg|25px]] [[Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania|Bear Creek]]
|Southeast = [[Pinchot State Forest]]
|South = [[File:I-476.svg|25px]] [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Philadelphia]]
|Southwest = [[File:I-81.svg|20px]] [[Hazleton, Pennsylvania|Hazleton]], [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]]
|West = [[File:US 11.svg|20px]] [[Plymouth, Pennsylvania|Plymouth]]
|Northwest = [[Back Mountain, Pennsylvania|Back Mountain]]
|image =
}}
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}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1769 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Cities in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania]]
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