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Plains, PA
Census-designated place in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. ZIP codes: 18705.
Population
4,153
Land area
1.3sq mi
People per sq mi
3,253
ZIP codes
1
Plains and its ZIP codes
Plains at a glance
- Plains is about 11 times as dense as Pennsylvania as a whole.
- It is the 348th most populous of 1,991 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
- Households here earn a median of $74,150 a year, 5% less than the Pennsylvania figure of $77,971.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $155,100 (39% below Pennsylvania) and median rent is $889 a month.
Local data for Plains, PA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Plains, PA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$74,150
Poverty rate
17.4%
Median home value
$155,100
Median rent
$889/mo
Homeownership
70.1%
Bachelor's or higher
30.2%
Median age
42.8
Average commute
20.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Polish Americans (980), German Americans (782), Irish Americans (749).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Luzerne County. PPP loans are for Plains.
Unemployment rate
5.2%
Aug 2026, -1.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$58,252
145,109 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$55,115
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$2.75B
FY 2026, $8,459 per person
PPP loans
$19.76M
285 loans, 2,516 jobs reported
How people get to work
Plains, PA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.8%
- Carpooled6.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.6%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.6%
- Worked from home7.4%
Average one-way commute: 20.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Plains, PA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
654
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
3,881
3.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
85° / 20°F
38.7 inches of rain a year
ZIP codes in Plains
1 in or overlapping Plains. Population shown
Cities near Plains
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| HudsonCensus-designated place | 1 mi | 0.4 |
| HilldaleCensus-designated place | 1.3 mi | 0.8 |
| Forty FortBorough | 1.5 mi | 1.3 |
| KingstonBorough | 2.1 mi | 2.1 |
| WyomingBorough | 2.2 mi | 1.4 |
| SwoyersvilleBorough | 2.2 mi | 2.2 |
| InkermanCensus-designated place | 2.4 mi | 0.7 |
| LuzerneBorough | 2.6 mi | 0.7 |
| PringleBorough | 2.7 mi | 0.5 |
| Wilkes-BarreCity | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| LaflinBorough | 2.9 mi | 1.3 |
| EdwardsvilleBorough | 3.2 mi | 1.2 |
| West WyomingBorough | 3.3 mi | 3.6 |
| CourtdaleBorough | 3.4 mi | 1 |
| GeorgetownCensus-designated place | 3.6 mi | 0.8 |
| Laurel RunBorough | 3.9 mi | 5.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Plains, PA in?
- Plains is in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
- What ZIP codes are in Plains, PA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Plains include 18705.
- What is the population of Plains, PA?
- About 4,153 people live in Plains, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Plains?
- Nearby places include Hudson (1 mi), Hilldale (1.3 mi), Forty Fort (1.5 mi), Kingston (2.1 mi), Wyoming (2.2 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023