Hazleton, PA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Hazleton, PA: What You Need to Know

Hazleton is part of a metropolitan area in northeastern Pennsylvania that also includes Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The city is associated with a controversial ordinance against illegal immigration, which the courts ultimately ruled unconstitutional. 

Local History

The name Hazleton might have been a typographical error of the conventional spelling of “Hazelton,” but the city was definitely named after the hazel bushes in the area. The town relied on mining after the discovery of anthracite coal deposits nearby. Hazleton was incorporated as a borough in 1851, and it was chartered as a city in 1891.

Local Population

More than half (58.4%) of Hazleton’s population of 24,794 are Hispanic or Latino. The city has been attracting waves of Latinos over the years, many of them from the Dominican Republic. In 2006, Hazleton gained notoriety when Republican Mayor Lou Barletta wrote the draconian Illegal Immigration Relief Act to discourage hiring or renting to illegal immigrants. A lawsuit challenging the city’s order went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In March 2014, the Supreme Court refused to hear Hazleton’s case, thereby upholding federal court decisions that ruled the ordinance was unconstitutional.

Tourist Attractions

The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails is a popular pathway for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The trail follows the old Delaware, Susquehanna, and Schuylkill rail line. The trail’s main segment extends four miles through dense woods and open meadows. The Dreck Creek Reservoir is a great spot for a picnic. Learn about the region’s history at the Greater Hazleton Historical Society Museum, featuring the largest collection of northeastern Pennsylvania artifacts, including paintings of local artists and archives. The museum is housed in the historic Pioneer Fire Co. building, which used to be the town’s borough hall. 

Cost of Living

Hazleton’s cost of living rate is 0.3% higher than the national average. At least, food and housing costs are 22% and 44% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent is $812. The Keystone State has a reasonable flat income tax rate of 3.07%. It levies 6% to 8% in sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents love their hometown’s location at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, which offer year-round recreation. Hazleton’s access to Interstates 80 and 81 also makes taking a day trip or commuting to Philadelphia and New York City easier. A big number of city residents (49%) rent. Looking for top-ranked public schools? Check out nearby Conyngham. If you don’t mind the commute, Trucksville and Dallas have highly ranked schools.