Shamokin ZIP Codes — Northumberland County, PA

There is one unique ZIP code in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and it is 17872. Area code: 570/272.

ZIP codes

43.02

sq mi land

0.26

sq mi water

570/272

area code

Shamokin, PA ZIP code map

About Shamokin, PA

Shamokin, Pennsylvania, is a small city located in Northumberland County. Known for its rich coal mining history, Shamokin possesses a unique character shaped by its past. Today, it blends historical significance with a small-town atmosphere, making it a noteworthy spot in the state.

Location & geography

Shamokin is situated near the center of Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles northeast of Harrisburg and 20 miles southwest of Sunbury. The city covers a total land area of 43.02 square miles, complemented by a water area of 0.26 square miles. This diverse terrain includes hills and valleys typical of the region, providing picturesque landscapes.

Community & economy

The community in Shamokin is tight-knit, reflecting the traditional values and resilient spirit of its residents. Historically an industrial hub, the city has transitioned over the years and now has a mix of local businesses and services catering to residents' daily needs. Daily life in Shamokin is characterized by a strong sense of community, with various events and gatherings that promote local culture and camaraderie.

Transportation

Transportation in Shamokin is facilitated primarily by local roads with access to major highways. US Route 11 runs through the area, providing connections to nearby cities and towns. The nearest airport serving commercial flights is the Williamsport Regional Airport, located about 40 miles to the northwest.

History

Shamokin was founded in the early 19th century, originally emerging as a vital coal mining community. Key industries in Shamokin historically revolved around coal production, which significantly shaped its economy and workforce. Over the decades, the city has experienced various economic shifts, leading to a rich tapestry of local history and development.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Shamokin is that it was once known as the 'Coal Capital of the World' due to its extensive coal mines. Additionally, the city has preserved several historic buildings that reflect its mining heritage, which attract visitors interested in industrial history.

ZIP codes for Shamokin, PA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
17872	Shamokin	Northumberland	View map

Demographics & statistics

9,157

Population

41.1

Median age

$36,842

Median household income

$25,254

Per capita income

$81,500

Median home value

$680

Median monthly rent

66.0%

Home ownership

28.2%

Poverty rate

6.8%

Unemployment

4,009

Housing units

13.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

295

Under 5

287

314

5–9

307

273

10–14

266

251

15–19

244

324

20–24

316

452

25–34

441

593

35–44

578

695

45–54

678

326

55–59

317

292

60–64

285

526

65–74

513

181

75–84

177

114

85+

112

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,090	22.8%
18 and over	7,067	77.2%
65 and over	1,623	17.7%
Median age	41.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.2%

Two or more races 10.8%

Hispanic or Latino 3.4%

Black or African American 1.9%

Other race 1.5%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	7,798	82.2%
Two or more races	1,027	10.8%
Hispanic or Latino	324	3.4%
Black or African American	176	1.9%
Other race	146	1.5%
Asian	8	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 8.7%

$10k–$15k 10.4%

$15k–$25k 15.3%

$25k–$35k 14.0%

$35k–$50k 7.9%

$50k–$75k 16.6%

$75k–$100k 9.4%

$100k–$150k 11.5%

$150k–$200k 4.6%

$200k+ 1.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.7%
$10k–$15k	10.4%
$15k–$25k	15.3%
$25k–$35k	14.0%
$35k–$50k	7.9%
$50k–$75k	16.6%
$75k–$100k	9.4%
$100k–$150k	11.5%
$150k–$200k	4.6%
$200k+	1.5%
Median income	$36,842

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 33.7%

$50k–$100k 25.0%

$100k–$150k 13.0%

$150k–$200k 11.8%

$200k–$300k 10.8%

$300k–$500k 3.0%

$500k–$1M 2.7%

$1M+ 0.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$81,500
Median rent / month	$680
Owner occupied	66.0%
Renter occupied	34.0%
Vacant	27.9%
Single-family detached	42.5%
Large apartment buildings	4.8%
Mobile homes	2.1%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.30

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.4%
2000–2009	1.6%
1990–1999	2.2%
1980–1989	4.3%
1970–1979	9.5%
1960–1969	8.2%
1950–1959	3.5%
1940–1949	10.1%
1939 or earlier	59.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	9.2%
2 bedrooms	23.8%
3 bedrooms	46.4%
4 bedrooms	10.9%
5+ bedrooms	8.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	18.0%
1 vehicle	34.2%
2 vehicles	29.9%
3 or more	17.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.6%
Electricity	22.0%
Propane / LP gas	3.6%
Fuel oil	45.2%
Wood	1.6%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,400	36.6%
Cohabiting couple	327	8.5%
Male householder, no spouse	894	23.3%
Female householder, no spouse	1,209	31.6%
Households with children under 18	1,064	27.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,319	34.4%
Average household size	2.39

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.8%	31.2%
Married	42.5%	39.7%
Separated	4.8%	3.9%
Widowed	6.4%	11.2%
Divorced	9.6%	14.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.1%

Some HS, no diploma 14.2%

HS graduate 44.4%

Some college, no degree 15.7%

Associate's degree 7.9%

Bachelor's degree 10.7%

Graduate / professional 2.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.7%
Bachelor's or higher	13.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	1.1%
Kindergarten	108	6.4%
Elementary school	852	50.4%
High school	512	30.3%
College / grad school	200	11.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.2%

Retail trade 16.0%

Manufacturing 13.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.8%

Construction 6.5%

Public administration 5.5%

Professional & management 4.4%

Other services 3.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Agriculture & mining 3.2%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Finance & real estate 2.9%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.8%
Service	24.8%
Sales & office	19.8%
Natural resources & construction	10.6%
Production & transportation	21.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.6%
Government	13.9%
Self-employed	6.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.2%
Carpool	15.1%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	5.3%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.8

Poverty

All people 28.2%

Under 18 years 42.4%

18 and over 24.1%

Married-couple families 8.4%

Female-led households 54.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.3%
Retirement income	22.5%
Supplemental Security	13.7%
Cash public assistance	8.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	27.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.3%
High cholesterol	35.4%
Heart disease	9.4%
Stroke	4.5%
Asthma	11.3%
Arthritis	34.7%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	11.9%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.0%
No physical activity	30.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.6%
Fair or poor health	21.6%
Poor mental health	17.9%
Poor physical health	15.0%
No health insurance	12.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.1%
Visited dentist	53.1%
Cholesterol screening	87.2%
Teeth loss	23.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	640	9.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.7%
Under 18	4.5%
18–64 years	22.4%
65 and over	41.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	53.3%
Public insurance	57.2%
Uninsured under 19	2.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	8,575	93.6%
Spanish	61	0.7%
Other Indo-European	18	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	19	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,038	98.7%
Born in same state	9,029	98.6%
Born in different state	7,498	81.9%
Foreign born	9	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	119	1.3%
Not a US citizen	63	52.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,065	11.6%
French	740	8.1%
English	471	5.1%
Arab	288	3.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	214	2.3%
Irish	165	1.8%
German	6	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.8%
Internet access	83.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Shamokin, PA have?

Shamokin, PA has one ZIP code: 17872. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.