Tower City ZIP Codes — Schuylkill County, PA

There is one unique ZIP code in Tower City, Pennsylvania and it is 17980. Area code: 717.

ZIP codes

34.81

sq mi land

0.94

sq mi water

717

area code

Tower City, PA ZIP code map

About Tower City, PA

Tower City, Pennsylvania, is a small borough located in Schuylkill County, known for its quaint charm and historic significance. With a rich history rooted in coal mining, the town reflects the heritage of Pennsylvania's industrial past. Tower City embodies a tight-knit community with a welcoming atmosphere, making it a unique place in the heart of the Keystone State.

Location & geography

Tower City is situated in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, nestled within the scenic landscapes of Schuylkill County. It is approximately 12 miles from the city of Pottsville to the southeast and about 14 miles from the larger community of Harrisburg to the west. The borough encompasses a land area of 34.81 square miles, with a water area of 0.94 square miles, contributing to its rural and natural surroundings.

Community & economy

The character of Tower City is closely tied to its historical roots, primarily influenced by the coal mining industry that once thrived in the area. Daily life in Tower City offers a blend of suburban tranquility and community-oriented activities, with local events and small-town gatherings fostering a strong sense of togetherness. Despite its size, Tower City boasts an array of local businesses and services, contributing to a vibrant community atmosphere.

Transportation

Tower City is easily accessible via major roadways, with Pennsylvania Route 209 running through the area, linking it to other nearby towns and cities. The nearest significant airport is Harrisburg International Airport, which is approximately 20 miles away and serves as a regional hub for both domestic and limited international flights. Public transportation options may be limited, emphasizing the reliance on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Founded during the 19th century, Tower City gained prominence due to its coal mining operations and served as a hub for transport and commerce in the region. The local economy was largely shaped by the coal industry, which attracted workers and families looking for opportunities in the mining sector. Over the years, notable events in the town's history have included the rise and decline of coal mining, which has left a lasting impact on its development and character.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Tower City is that it was once home to a thriving local railroad hub that facilitated the transportation of coal and goods throughout the region. Today, the remnants of this rich industrial history can still be seen in the architecture and layout of the town.

ZIP codes for Tower City, PA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
17980	Tower City	Schuylkill	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,039

Population

42.9

Median age

$66,014

Median household income

$32,719

Per capita income

$125,600

Median home value

$842

Median monthly rent

77.3%

Home ownership

6.0%

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment

1,161

Housing units

13.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

101

15–19

102

126

20–24

130

177

25–34

183

177

35–44

183

158

45–54

164

55–59

112

60–64

116

240

65–74

249

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	556	18.3%
18 and over	2,483	81.7%
65 and over	718	23.6%
Median age	42.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.2%

Two or more races 1.8%

Group	Count	%
White	2,984	98.2%
Two or more races	55	1.8%

Household income

Under $10k 3.0%

$10k–$15k 1.4%

$15k–$25k 9.3%

$25k–$35k 8.8%

$35k–$50k 13.3%

$50k–$75k 25.4%

$75k–$100k 14.0%

$100k–$150k 16.4%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 4.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.0%
$10k–$15k	1.4%
$15k–$25k	9.3%
$25k–$35k	8.8%
$35k–$50k	13.3%
$50k–$75k	25.4%
$75k–$100k	14.0%
$100k–$150k	16.4%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	4.3%
Median income	$66,014

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.6%

$50k–$100k 25.6%

$100k–$150k 28.9%

$150k–$200k 13.4%

$200k–$300k 13.7%

$300k–$500k 8.1%

$500k–$1M 1.5%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$125,600
Median rent / month	$842
Owner occupied	77.3%
Renter occupied	22.7%
Vacant	15.2%
Single-family detached	72.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.5%
Mobile homes	5.6%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.59

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.8%
2000–2009	3.7%
1990–1999	4.4%
1980–1989	7.0%
1970–1979	14.5%
1960–1969	8.4%
1950–1959	8.5%
1940–1949	7.3%
1939 or earlier	43.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.7%
1 bedroom	8.0%
2 bedrooms	23.2%
3 bedrooms	48.2%
4 bedrooms	14.5%
5+ bedrooms	4.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.2%
1 vehicle	30.1%
2 vehicles	37.8%
3 or more	26.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.7%
Electricity	13.5%
Propane / LP gas	5.4%
Fuel oil	56.1%
Wood	4.4%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	586	48.1%
Cohabiting couple	158	13.0%
Male householder, no spouse	202	16.6%
Female householder, no spouse	272	22.3%
Households with children under 18	373	30.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	525	43.1%
Average household size	2.49

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.3%	24.9%
Married	48.7%	47.4%
Separated	1.4%	1.1%
Widowed	2.1%	11.6%
Divorced	11.6%	15.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.6%

Some HS, no diploma 7.7%

HS graduate 54.6%

Some college, no degree 13.5%

Associate's degree 8.7%

Bachelor's degree 8.5%

Graduate / professional 5.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.7%
Bachelor's or higher	13.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	4.0%
Kindergarten	5	1.1%
Elementary school	250	52.6%
High school	144	30.3%
College / grad school	57	12.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 26.4%

Education & healthcare 14.4%

Retail trade 11.1%

Professional & management 9.7%

Transportation & utilities 9.3%

Public administration 6.8%

Construction 6.3%

Other services 4.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.4%

Finance & real estate 4.0%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Agriculture & mining 0.8%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	24.8%
Service	15.7%
Sales & office	17.0%
Natural resources & construction	11.3%
Production & transportation	31.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.3%
Government	14.2%
Self-employed	2.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.2%
Carpool	19.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.6%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.9

Poverty

All people 6.0%

Under 18 years 3.6%

18 and over 6.5%

Married-couple families 1.4%

Female-led households 7.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.7%
Retirement income	36.1%
Supplemental Security	3.0%
Cash public assistance	2.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.3%
High cholesterol	34.2%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	29.8%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.9%
No physical activity	27.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.9%
Fair or poor health	15.5%
Poor mental health	16.0%
Poor physical health	11.7%
No health insurance	11.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.0%
Visited dentist	63.4%
Cholesterol screening	89.1%
Teeth loss	16.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	167	6.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.4%
Under 18	7.9%
18–64 years	12.9%
65 and over	44.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.4%
Public insurance	38.5%
Uninsured under 19	8.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,896	95.3%
Spanish	8	0.3%
Other Indo-European	4	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	4	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,953	97.2%
Born in same state	2,934	96.5%
Born in different state	2,663	87.6%
Foreign born	19	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	86	2.8%
Not a US citizen	86	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	348	11.5%
Arab	189	6.2%
English	116	3.8%
French	111	3.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	20	0.7%
Irish	7	0.2%
Dutch	3	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.1%
Internet access	92.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Tower City, PA have?

Tower City, PA has one ZIP code: 17980. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.