| Official Name: | Nescopeck, Pennsylvania |
| Settlement Type: | Borough |
| Pushpin Map: | Pennsylvania#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | Nescopeck |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Pennsylvania |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Luzerne |
| Government Type: | Borough Council |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Established Title: | Settled |
| Established Date: | 1786 |
| Established Title1: | Incorporated |
| Established Date1: | 1896 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 3.03 |
| Area Land Km2: | 2.56 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.47 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 1.17 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 0.99 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.18 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 1480 |
| Population Density Km2: | 578.30 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1497.98 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Coordinates: | 41.0525°N -76.2158°W |
| Postal Code Type: | Zip code |
| Postal Code: | 18635 |
| Area Code: | 570 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 42-52984 |
Nescopeck is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,480 as of the 2020 census.[2]
Nescopeck was first settled in 1786; it was later incorporated as a borough in 1896. By 1900, over one thousand people resided in the borough. That number would peak at 1,934 in 1960.
The borough derives its name from Nescopeck Creek, a Native American name purported to mean "black, deep, and still water".[3]
In 2011 between the dates of September 6th and September 9th, Nescopeck became one of many victims to Tropical Storm Lee. Lower-lying parts of the town that neighbored the Susquehanna River became flooded. One of the buildings that suffered damage was the Cooper House. After sitting for almost eight years, the historical building of 1817 was finally demolished on April 26, 2019.[4]
On August 5, 2022, a fire at a house killed ten people at a home in Nescopeck, including three children. All of the victims were related to a volunteer firefighter who responded to the blaze.[5] Eight days later on August 13, a man drove into a crowd at a fundraiser for the victims in nearby Berwick, killing one person and wounding 17 others. The man then drove to a home in Nescopeck, where he beat his mother to death. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2023.[6] [7]
Nescopeck is located at 41.0525°N -76.2158°W (41.052379, -76.215871).[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.7km2, all land. Nescopeck is located along the Susquehanna River (just outside of Berwick). It is a small farming community. PA 93 runs east to west through the borough. The highway crosses over the Susquehanna and links neighboring Berwick to Nescopeck. PA 339 enters Nescopeck from the west; it connects with PA 93 in the middle of the town.
The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfb" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).[9] It has four distinct seasons. Winters are cold. The surrounding mountains have an influence on the climate (including both precipitation and temperatures), leading to wide variations within a short distance.[10] On average, temperatures below 0°F are infrequent, occurring several days per year, and there are several dozen days where the maximum temperature remains below 32°F. Severe snowstorms are rare.[10] However, when snowstorms do occur, they can disrupt normal routines for several days.[10]
Summers are warm. In an average summer, temperatures exceeding 90°F occur several days and can occasionally exceed 100°F. Spring and fall are unpredictable with temperatures ranging from cold to warm (although they are usually mild). On average, Nescopeck receives precipitation which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year (though the summer months receive more precipitation).
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,528 people, 672 households, and 417 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1534.8sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 729 housing units at an average density of 732.3sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.23% White, 0.52% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.
There were 672 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,379, and the median income for a family was $39,440. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $20,586 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,553. About 5.3% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.