Is Tamaqua Safe, Pros and cons of living in Tamaqua

Tamaqua, a borough nestled in eastern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, offers a glimpse into a community with a rich history and a distinct character. This town, once a hub for coal mining, has evolved into a residential area with a population of approximately 6,900 individuals. Its location in the Coal Region provides a unique backdrop, blending historical significance with the daily life of its residents.

The borough’s charm lies in its small-town atmosphere, where community bonds are often strong. As with any locality, understanding its various facets—from safety and cost of living to employment and education—is crucial for anyone considering a move. This comprehensive overview aims to provide a detailed picture of life in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

Is it Safe to Live in Tamaqua?

Tamaqua presents a generally safe environment for its residents, with crime rates reported to be below the national average. The overall crime rate is approximately 50% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being significantly lower than the national average as well (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Tamaqua is about 1 in 95, and the town is considered safer than 57% of other cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes).

Breaking down the crime statistics further, Tamaqua’s violent crime rate is about 1.58 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates are also lower than the national average, with approximately 8.93 per 1,000 residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The southeastern part of the city is generally considered the safest by residents, with the chance of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 51 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 79 in the southeast (as reported by Niche). The cost of crime per resident in Tamaqua is also lower than both the national and state averages (as reported by Niche).

Cost of Living in Tamaqua

Tamaqua offers a cost of living that is generally considered affordable, particularly when compared to national averages, though some sources indicate it is slightly higher than the national average. The median home value in Tamaqua is approximately $83,700 (as reported by Niche), and the median rent is around $996 per month (as reported by Niche). One source indicates that living in Tamaqua is 3% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing costs in Tamaqua are noted to be significantly lower than the Pennsylvania average, with a median home cost of $117,069, which is lower than the Pennsylvania average of $222,630 (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). Renters in Tamaqua pay a median gross rent of $996 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). Food expenses are noted to be 27.1% below the national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing Market Trends

The Tamaqua housing market is described as somewhat competitive. The median sale price of a home in Tamaqua was $123,000 as of March 2026, an increase of 16.7% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Tamaqua tend to sell in about 39 days, which is longer than the average of 22 days in the previous year (as reported by Redfin). In March 2026, 12 homes were sold, a decrease from 13 homes sold in the same period last year (as reported by Redfin).

The median listing price for homes in Tamaqua is $169,450 (as reported by Realtor.com). The median sale price for homes in Tamaqua over the last 12 months is $185,000, an increase of 33% from the previous 12-month period (as reported by Homes.com). The average price per square foot for homes in Tamaqua is $89, which is up 65.7% since last year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market

The rental market in Tamaqua offers various options, with average rents generally below national figures. The average rent across all property types and bedrooms in Tamaqua is approximately $1,245 per month (as reported by Zillow). The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $900 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment averages $1,250 per month (as reported by Zillow). Houses for rent in Tamaqua have an average monthly cost of $1,300 (as reported by Zumper).

One source indicates the average rent in Tamaqua is $490 per month, which is 70% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Renters in Tamaqua have a median household income of $33,629, with a rent-to-income ratio of 35.5% (as reported by Point2Homes). The median rent for all rentals in Tamaqua is 52% lower than the median rent in Alburtis, PA (as reported by Zumper).

Job Market and Economy

Tamaqua’s job market is supported by a workforce of approximately 3,123 residents, with a high employment rate of 93.6% (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant majority, 72%, of the working population is employed in professional or administrative positions, while 28% are in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents, 80.8%, are employed by private companies (as reported by Point2Homes).

The average annual household income in Tamaqua was reported as $65,911 in 2024, showing an 11% increase from the previous year, with a median income of $46,176 (as reported by Point2Homes). The unemployment rate in Tamaqua stands at 6.4% (as reported by Point2Homes). Key employment sectors for residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Accommodation & Food Services, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA).

Major Employers

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, the employment landscape in Tamaqua is diverse. The town’s economy has historically been tied to the coal industry, but it has diversified over time. The current employment structure shows a strong presence in professional and administrative roles, indicating a shift towards service-based and white-collar positions.

The healthcare and social assistance sector is a significant employer, along with accommodation and food services, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA). This suggests a local economy that supports a range of service-oriented jobs, catering to both residents and potentially visitors.

Climate and Weather

Tamaqua experiences a climate characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The warm season typically runs from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 72°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 81°F and lows of 63°F (as reported by AccuWeather). The cold season spans from December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 43°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 21°F and highs of 34°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. The wetter season lasts from April to August, with a greater than 30% chance of a wet day, and June typically sees the most wet days (as reported by AccuWeather). The drier season runs from August to April, with January having the fewest wet days (as reported by AccuWeather). The annual average precipitation in Tamaqua is approximately 9.99 inches (as reported by IDcide).

Education and Schools

Tamaqua is served by the Tamaqua Area School District, which includes elementary, middle, and senior high schools. Tamaqua Elementary School is rated as the top-performing school in the district, with strong PSSA test scores, particularly in math and English language arts (as reported by Niche). Tamaqua Area Middle School faces challenges with math proficiency, with only 13.2% of 8th graders proficient or better, which is below the state average (as reported by Niche).

Tamaqua Area Senior High School demonstrates impressive graduation and dropout rates, with an 87.9% four-year graduation rate and a low dropout rate of 1.4% (as reported by Niche). The district has high free/reduced lunch rates, indicating a need for support for economically disadvantaged students (as reported by Niche). Marian Catholic High School is a private school option in Tamaqua, rated with a 3.79 out of 5 on Niche.

Demographics

Tamaqua has a population of approximately 6,924 residents, with a nearly even gender distribution of 48.4% male and 51.6% female (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Tamaqua is 36 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is composed of about 21.4% children under 15, 13.9% between 15 and 24, 26.3% between 25 and 44, 23.9% between 45 and 64, and 14.5% aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

The racial makeup of Tamaqua is predominantly White, with 85.17% identifying as White (as reported by Data USA). Other racial groups include those identifying with two or more races (9.53%) and other races (4.32%) (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 95.9% of residents are US-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Tamaqua was $46,176 (as reported by Point2Homes).