Population65,868 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Mountain Ridges Around a Dramatic River Gorge
Carbon County, PennsylvaniaCarbon County’s landscape centers on the Lehigh River, with Jim Thorpe near a gorge that extends toward White Haven. Blue Mountain marks its southern boundary, while Pocono terrain reaches the northeast. Beltzville, Hickory Run, and Lehigh Gorge state parks add distinct outdoor settings across the county. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 65,868 residents in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025.
Carbon County at a Glance
Population65,868 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatJim Thorpe
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Penn Forest township
Established1843
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water387.435 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-80; I-476; US 209
Telephone Area CodesPUC area-code map
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Carbon County
Carbon County
Carbon County was established in 1843, with Jim Thorpe serving as its county seat. The town originated as Mauch Chunk in 1818, a name that remains visible in the local landscape through Mauch Chunk Lake. The Lehigh River gives the county a strong geographic connection between communities, while the surrounding ridges place it at the meeting of several mountain landscapes. Understanding those town and river names helps distinguish the county’s local identity from the broader Pocono region.
Jim Thorpe provides one starting point, but Carbon County also includes Beltzville, Hickory Run, and part of Lehigh Gorge state parks. Mauch Chunk Lake adds a county-managed outdoor setting. These destinations occupy different parts of the landscape and should be planned as distinct stops. The gorge, mountain ridges, and lakes together offer a broader view of the county than a visit limited to the streets of its best-known town.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Carbon County’s landscape centers on the Lehigh River, with Jim Thorpe near a gorge that extends toward White Haven. Blue Mountain marks its southern boundary, while Pocono terrain reaches the northeast.
Community History
Carbon County was established in 1843, with Jim Thorpe serving as its county seat. The town originated as Mauch Chunk in 1818, a name that remains visible in the local landscape through Mauch Chunk Lake.
Around the County
Jim Thorpe provides one starting point, but Carbon County also includes Beltzville, Hickory Run, and part of Lehigh Gorge state parks.
Ridges, lakes, and river towns share the same landscape.
A Closer Look
Carbon County
Places and perspectives from Carbon County
Carbon County Wire
Carbon County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsSpotlight PA — Pennsylvania Statewide
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Carbon County
Stories from every corner of Carbon County.
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Erie gunman who killed family controlled their movements, finances: police
A Pennsylvania man who fatally shot eight others, including seven family members, before killing himself had exercised strict…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Rep. Perry’s Trump ties targeted by Dems in closely watched Pa. swing district race
The president’s declining popularity could be a liability for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump loyalist who…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Reading could pull up to $24M from reserves to balance its next 2 budgets
Reading may use $24 million in reserves to cover budget gaps over two years, raising fears the city…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
The legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?
Top lawmakers said they wanted to act before the court-imposed deadline but didn’t, leading some members to mount…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Penn-Kidder Campus – Elementary; grades PK-08. 2850 State Route 903, Albrightsville, PA 18210. 570-722-1150.
Lehighton Area Elementary Center – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3 Indian Ln, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-377-7880.
Towamensing El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 7920 Interchange Rd, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-681-4024.
Panther Valley JSHS – High; grades 07-12. 912 Coal Region Way, Lansford, PA 18232. 570-645-2171.
Weatherly Area El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-05. 602 6th St, Weatherly, PA 18255. 570-427-8687.
L B Morris El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-08. 150 W 10th St, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. 570-325-2703.
Lehighton Area MS – Middle; grades 06-08. 301 Beaver Run Rd, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-377-6535.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
St Luke'S Hospital – Carbon Campus – Acute Care Hospitals. 500 St Luke'S Drive, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-377-7001.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
State Parks
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Trails
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Utilities
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Dimmick Memorial Library – 54 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. 570-325-2131.
Lehighton Area Memorial Library – 124 North St, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-377-2750.
Palmerton Area Library Association – 402 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, PA 18071. 610-826-3424.
Penn Kidder Branch – 2588 Route 903, Albrightsville, PA 18210. 570-722-0300.
Courts
DMV
Pennsylvania — Find a Location
Pennsylvania — Title and Registration
Pennsylvania — Licenses & Photo IDs
Transportation
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Plan Your Carbon County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Carbon County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
Yes. A scenic railway excursion from Jim Thorpe and a walk on the park's trail are separate activities. Choose a public trail access point such as Glen Onoko for the walk; a train ride requires its own ticket and departure time.
Country Junction: Browse the large Lehighton-area store and check which family activities are operating on your visit date. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway: Take a scheduled sightseeing train from Jim Thorpe; tickets and excursion dates vary.
Lehigh Gorge State Park: Walk or cycle the riverside rail trail; choose a Carbon County access point such as Glen Onoko. Beltzville State Park: Plan a lake-and-trail day near Lehighton; check current swimming and water-quality notices before going.
Lehigh Gorge State Park: Walk or cycle the riverside rail trail; choose a Carbon County access point such as Glen Onoko. Beltzville State Park: Plan a lake-and-trail day near Lehighton; check current swimming and water-quality notices before going. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
Broadway Grille: Have a meal on Broadway in downtown Jim Thorpe. The Gorge Eatery: Consider a meal in Weissport near the D&L Trail.
Jim Thorpe Olive Oil Company: Browse specialty food gifts in downtown Jim Thorpe. Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe: Look for holiday decorations and gifts along the shopping streets.
Wear It Again: Browse clothing at the Broadway shop in Jim Thorpe. The Gem Shop: Look for jewelry, clothing and accessories on Broadway.
Carbon County’s landscape centers on the Lehigh River, with Jim Thorpe near a gorge that extends toward White Haven. Blue Mountain marks its southern boundary, while Pocono terrain reaches the northeast. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Dimmick Memorial Library – 54 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. 570-325-2131. Lehighton Area Memorial Library – 124 North St, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-377-2750. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
Penn-Kidder Campus – Elementary; grades PK-08. 2850 State Route 903, Albrightsville, PA 18210. 570-722-1150. Lehighton Area Elementary Center – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3 Indian Ln, Lehighton, PA 18235. 610-377-7880. These are selected contacts from the supplied school directory. Contact the school or district to confirm attendance boundaries and enrollment; a nearby school is not necessarily the assigned school.
Jim Thorpe is the county seat recorded in the supplied Carbon County information. Use the Government tab in local resources to locate the department you need; offices may have different addresses and appointment arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time for a Local DiscoveryExplore places to eat, shop and spend time in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Country Junction — Browse the large Lehighton-area store and check which family activities are operating on your visit date.
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway — Take a scheduled sightseeing train from Jim Thorpe; tickets and excursion dates vary.
Restaurants
- Broadway Grille — Have a meal on Broadway in downtown Jim Thorpe.
- The Gorge Eatery — Consider a meal in Weissport near the D&L Trail.
Shopping & Retail
- Jim Thorpe Olive Oil Company — Browse specialty food gifts in downtown Jim Thorpe.
- Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe — Look for holiday decorations and gifts along the shopping streets.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Wear It Again — Browse clothing at the Broadway shop in Jim Thorpe.
- The Gem Shop — Look for jewelry, clothing and accessories on Broadway.
Outdoor Fun
- Lehigh Gorge State Park — Walk or cycle the riverside rail trail; choose a Carbon County access point such as Glen Onoko.
- Beltzville State Park — Plan a lake-and-trail day near Lehighton; check current swimming and water-quality notices before going.
Free Things to Do
- Lehigh Gorge State Park — Walk or cycle the riverside rail trail; choose a Carbon County access point such as Glen Onoko.
- Beltzville State Park — Plan a lake-and-trail day near Lehighton; check current swimming and water-quality notices before going.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Carbon County Questions
How could I build a short Carbon County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Country Junction, a meal at Broadway Grille, and a browse at Jim Thorpe Olive Oil Company. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Carbon County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Lehigh Gorge State Park and Beltzville State Park and bring a picnic where permitted. Budget separately for museum or amusement tickets, restaurant meals, parking where charged, rentals and purchases. Check the linked destination’s current fees instead of assuming every activity on its grounds is free.
Where should I check the forecast before visiting Lehigh Gorge State Park?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Lehigh Gorge State Park, also open the destination’s notices for trail, road or facility closures. A county forecast does not confirm that an individual trail or activity is operating.
What should I confirm before making a special trip to Wear It Again?
Use Wear It Again to confirm the physical-store address, current opening days and whether the item or fitting you need is available. Some shops list online stock, multiple locations or appointment services, so contact the store about a specific visit.
Where can I find the businesses featured in this Carbon County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Don Lain Campground. Open a business page for its contact details. A business featured in this guide may serve the county from another location; confirm its address and service area directly.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.