Taylor, Pennsylvania

Taylor, Pennsylvania
Name	Taylor, Pennsylvania
Settlement type	Borough
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Pennsylvania
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Lackawanna County
Established title	Settled
Established date	1790s
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1893
Area total sq mi	1.3
Population total	5916
Population as of	2020
Timezone	Eastern (EST)
Postal code type	ZIP code
Postal code	18517

Taylor, Pennsylvania Taylor, Pennsylvania is a borough in Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania, situated in the Wyoming Valley near the confluence of the Lackawanna River and the Susquehanna River. The borough lies adjacent to Scranton and is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area; its history, infrastructure, and cultural life reflect industrial-era development tied to anthracite coal, railroads, and the coal barons who shaped the Wyoming Valley. Taylor's proximity to regional institutions, transportation corridors, and recreational resources positions it within broader networks linking Philadelphia, New York City, and Pittsburgh.

History

The area was settled in the late 18th century during westward migration after the American Revolutionary War and later became a focal point of the anthracite coal industry during the 19th century. Industrialists and companies such as the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and the Lehigh Valley Railroad influenced infrastructure and labor patterns; events like the Molly Maguires controversies and the Scranton general strikes resonated locally. The borough was incorporated in 1893 amid municipal reorganizations that followed population growth driven by immigration from Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Slovakia, mirroring demographic shifts seen in neighboring Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Throughout the 20th century, labor unions including the United Mine Workers of America and the American Federation of Labor played roles in local labor disputes, while economic transitions after World War II paralleled deindustrialization trends observed across northeastern Pennsylvania.

Geography

Taylor is located in the Wyoming Valley along the Lackawanna River, with coordinates placing it within the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province. Nearby municipalities include Scranton, West Scranton, Old Forge, and Northampton Township; regional landmarks include Nay Aug Park, Montage Mountain, and the Lackawanna State Park complex. The borough's topography features river floodplain and low ridges associated with former coal mining operations, connecting it to drainage basins of the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Transportation corridors such as Interstate 81, U.S. Route 6, and Pennsylvania Route 347 provide regional access, and Taylor sits within the climate zone influenced by the Allegheny Plateau and the New England seaboard.

Demographics

Census and municipal records reflect demographic patterns similar to other Wyoming Valley communities: populations peaked in the early 20th century during industrial growth and declined with late-20th-century outmigration. The borough's residents include descendants of European immigrant groups who came for coal and railroad work, with family ties to communities in Scranton, Dunmore, and Taylor’s neighboring boroughs. Socioeconomic indicators show a mix of blue-collar employment, small-business proprietors, and service workers linked to regional healthcare systems like Geisinger and regional educational institutions such as the University of Scranton and Marywood University. Religious life includes parishes affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton and Protestant congregations historically associated with ethnic communities.

Economy

Taylor’s economy evolved from anthracite mining and railroading to a diversified local economy with retail, healthcare, manufacturing remnants, and service industries. Commercial strips and small shopping centers serve residents, while regional employers in Scranton and Lackawanna County provide major employment, including hospitals, universities, and distribution centers. Redevelopment initiatives and brownfield reclamation projects have sought to repurpose former industrial sites, aligning with regional economic development agencies and chambers of commerce that coordinate with Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development programs. Local entrepreneurs operate businesses alongside regional chains, and economic planning often references metropolitan strategies from the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan planning organizations.

Education

Public education is administered by the Valley View School District for portions of the borough, while nearby districts such as the Scranton School District and Old Forge Area School District serve neighboring communities. Higher education institutions within commuting range include the University of Scranton, Marywood University, Penn State Scranton, and Lackawanna College, which influence continuing education and workforce development opportunities. Vocational training and apprenticeships tied to trade unions and community colleges support skills development in construction, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

Transportation

The borough is served by regional highways including Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 6, connecting Taylor to Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Binghamton, and the Interstate Highway System. Public transit is provided by regional bus services that link to the Lackawanna County transit network and intercity bus lines to New York City and Philadelphia. Freight rail corridors maintained by Class I and short-line railroads pass through the Wyoming Valley, reflecting historical continuity with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad and Conrail heritage. Proximity to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport offers air connections for business and leisure travel.

Government and politics

Taylor is governed as a borough with an elected council and mayor, participating in county-level governance through Lackawanna County institutions and judicial districts. Political patterns in the area reflect northeastern Pennsylvania voting trends, with engagement in statewide contests for governor and U.S. congressional elections in Pennsylvania's congressional districts. Local governance coordinates with municipal associations and state agencies for infrastructure, public safety, and community services, and electoral participation often aligns with labor-affiliated constituencies and regional party organizations.

Culture and recreation

Community life in Taylor includes civic organizations, volunteer fire companies, cultural festivals, and recreational activities along the Lackawanna River corridor. Residents access parks, trails, and regional attractions such as Steamtown National Historic Site, Electric City Trolley Museum, Montage Mountain Ski Resort, and Pocono Mountains venues for outdoor recreation. Local churches, veterans' groups, and social clubs maintain traditions rooted in the borough’s immigrant heritage, while nearby theaters, galleries, and university cultural programs in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre provide arts and entertainment options.

Category:Boroughs in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania