Clarks Summit is a
borough
A borough is an administrative division in various English language, English-speaking countries. In principle, the term ''borough'' designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely.
History
...
in
Lackawanna County, northwest of
Scranton
Scranton is a city in and the county seat of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. With a population of 76,328 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Scranton is the most populous city in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the ...
in
Northeastern Pennsylvania
Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA or Nepa) is a region of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that includes the Pocono Mountains, the Endless Mountains, and the industrial cities of Scranton (the area's largest city), Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Ha ...
. The population was 5,108 at the
2020 census.
It is also the northern
control city
A control city is a city, locality, or other location posted on a series of traffic signs along a particular stretch of road indicating destinations on that route. Together with route numbers and cardinal directions, these focal points aid the mo ...
of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I-476, though the official terminus is in adjacent
South Abington Township.
History
The first settler in the area currently known as Clarks Summit was William Clark. Clark had fought in the
Battle of Bunker Hill during the
Revolutionary War, and as payment for his military service, he was issued of Pennsylvania land by Congress. Because of disputes between Pennsylvania and Connecticut over the area of land that is now northern Pennsylvania (resulting in the
Pennamite-Yankee War), the land deed issued to Clark was deemed invalid by the
Luzerne County
Luzerne County is a County (United States), county in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water. It is Northeaste ...
land grant office. Clark had no choice but to pay for the land himself. In March 1799, Clark and his three sons moved into a log cabin in the Abington wilderness, located on what is currently the
Clarks Green Cemetery. The first school was built in 1893 and was destroyed by fire two years later.
[Clarks Summit Borough History and Background](_blank)
The village of Clarks Summit and an adjacent tract of land were incorporated into the Borough of Clarks Summit on August 30, 1911.
Clarks Summit is a location in the "
Threat Level Midnight" episode of
''The Office''.
Geography
Clarks Summit is located at (41.492878, -75.704904).
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2020
At the 2020 census there were 5,072 people, and 2,282 households in the borough. The population density was . The
racial makeup of the borough was 92.6% White alone, 0.0% African American, 0.1% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.7%.
The median household income was $87,102. The per capita income for the borough was $49,518. About 2.1% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
.
2010
At the
2010 census there were 5,116 people, 2,216 households, and 1,407 families living in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,324 housing units at an average density of . The
racial makeup of the borough was 97% White, 0.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4%.
There were 2,216 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 32.3% of households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.
The age distribution was 21.3% under the age of 18, 58.3% from 18 to 64, and 20.4% 65 or older. The median age was 45.4 years.
2000
At the
2000 census there were 5,126 people, 2,190 households, and 1,438 families living in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,273 housing units at an average density of . The
racial makeup of the borough was 97.74% White, 0.39% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94%.
Of the 2,190 households 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 31.6% of households were one person and 17.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.
The age distribution was 22.4% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males. The median household income was $45,298 and the median family income was $65,262. Males had a median income of $48,487 versus $26,398 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,080. About 1.3% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including none of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable places

The oldest standing house is the former Snook family house, built in 1837 and located on West Grove Street.
Education
It is in the
Abington Heights School District.
Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children is in South Abington Township, and has a postal address using the city name Clarks Summit.
Notable people
*
Joe Amato, drag racing professional
*
Bruce Beemer
Bruce Beemer (born December 14, 1968) is an American attorney and jurist currently serving as a judge on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. He previously served as the attorney general of Pennsylvania from 2016 to 2017 and as Inspector ...
, 49th
Pennsylvania Attorney General and former Inspector General of Pennsylvania
*
Amber Jacobs, WNBA basketball player
*
Joseph McDade,
congressman who lived in Clarks Summit while in office
*
Summer Rayne Oakes, eco-model and environmental activist
*
Adam Rippon, Olympic figure skater
*
Cory Spangenberg, Major League Baseball infielder
*
Warren Stevens
Warren Albert Stevens (November 2, 1919 – March 27, 2012) was an American stage, screen, and television actor.
Early life and career
Stevens was born in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and graduated from Clarks Summit High School. , actor
*
Lauren Weisberger, author of ''
The Devil Wears Prada''
*
Florian ZaBach, violinist
Sister city
*
Ystradgynlais,
Wales
Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
,
UK
References
External links
*
The Abington Suburban Newspaper, serving Clarks Summit
{{authority control
Populated places established in 1799
Boroughs in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Ystradgynlais