Luzerne Township, Pennsylvania

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 79.6 km² (30.8 mi²). 76.6 km² (29.6 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.77% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 4,683 people, 1,897 households, and 1,341 families residing in the township. The population density is 61.1/km² (158.3/mi²). There are 2,043 housing units at an average density of 26.7/km² (69.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 94.85% White, 3.76% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.02% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 0.32% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,897 households out of which 26.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% are non-families. 26.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the township the population is spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $26,510, and the median income for a family is $35,149. Males have a median income of $30,613 versus $19,890 for females. The per capita income for the township is $18,797. 17.5% of the population and 9.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.0% are under the age of 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older.