There is one unique ZIP code in Forest City, Pennsylvania and it is 18421. Area code: 570.
1
ZIP codes
37.29
sq mi land
0.32
sq mi water
570
area code
Forest City, PA ZIP code map
About Forest City, PA
Forest City is a small borough located in Susquehanna County in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, carrying the ZIP code 18421. Nestled in the Pocono plateau region, it offers residents and visitors a quiet, small-town atmosphere surrounded by the natural beauty of northeastern Pennsylvania's forests and rolling hills. The borough is served by the 570 telephone area code, which covers a broad swath of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Location & geography
Forest City sits in Susquehanna County in the far northeastern portion of Pennsylvania, close to the borders of both New York State and New Jersey. Nearby communities include Carbondale approximately 10 miles to the south, Scranton roughly 25 miles to the southeast, and Binghamton, New York about 35 miles to the north. The borough spans 37.29 square miles of land and 0.32 square miles of water, with terrain shaped by the Pocono Plateau's characteristic forested ridges, stream valleys, and wetland areas.
Community & economy
Forest City has the character of a tight-knit, working-class borough where neighbors know each other and community pride runs deep. The local economy has historically been tied to coal mining, light manufacturing, and agriculture, with the service sector playing an increasingly important role in daily life today. Residents enjoy proximity to outdoor recreation areas, local diners, and small businesses along Main Street, giving the borough a genuine small-town feel.
Transportation
Forest City is accessible via U.S. Route 6, a major east-west corridor that runs through northeastern Pennsylvania and connects the borough to larger urban centers. Interstate 81 can be reached to the south near Carbondale and Scranton, providing a key link to regional commerce and travel. The nearest commercial airport is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the southeast, offering flights to major hubs throughout the country.
History
Forest City was incorporated as a borough in the late 19th century, during a period when the anthracite coal industry was transforming communities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Coal mining drove early settlement and growth in the region, and the borough's development was closely tied to the rise and eventual decline of that industry over the following decades. Like many communities in the Lackawanna and Susquehanna County region, Forest City adapted through the 20th century as mining gave way to other industries and the local economy diversified.
Did you know?
Despite its name, Forest City is actually located in Susquehanna County rather than the more commonly referenced Lackawanna County immediately to its south, a geographic distinction that sometimes surprises visitors who expect it to be part of the greater Scranton metro area. The borough's position on the Pocono Plateau gives it a notably higher elevation than the valley communities to the south, contributing to cooler temperatures and heavier snowfall during winter months.
