Shickshinny is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 630 at the 2020 census.

The borough is named after Shickshinny Creek, which runs through the municipality and the surrounding area. According to the book Indian Villages and Place Names in Pennsylvania (by Dr. George P. Donehoo), the community's name likely means "Fine Stream" in a local Native American language. However, according to the Shickshinny Historical Society, the name Shickshinny means "Five Mountains" in a Native American language. Five mountains — Newport, Knob, Lee, River, and Rocky — encircle the creek and borough.

2000 U.S. Census

According to the 2000 United States census, Shickshinny had a population of 959 people, who made up 415 households and 241 families. The borough was 99% white, the remaining 1% were multiracial or unlisted. The population was approximately 47% male and 53% female, with 21% of the population below the age of 18, and 23% over the age of 65. The median age was 40.

The households occupied 415 of the 478 housing units in the borough, of these 60% were owned and 40% were rented. Out of the 415 households, 30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41% had elders over 65. About 41% of households were married, 10% had a female householder with no husband, and 42% were non-family households. 37% of householders lived alone, of which 24% were over the age of 65. The average household contained 2.3 people, while the average family contained 3 people.

A sampling of the population shows that the majority of enrolled students, 63%, were in elementary school (K-8), while 27% were in high school (9–12) and 4% in college or graduate school. The remaining were in preschool. 47% of the population, over 25 years of age, had a high school diploma while 32% did not. Out of the remaining population 21% had attended college while 9% had an associate degree or greater.

The median income for a household in the borough was $28,594, while the median family income was $36,333. The male median income was $27,273 compared to the female median income of $21,250.The per capita income for the borough was $14,880. About 9% of families and 10% of individuals incomes were below the poverty line.

Education

Northwest Area School District<!--UNI 17790--> serves Shickshinny, as well as the borough of New Columbus and the townships of Fairmont, Huntington, Hunlock, and Union. The student body is separated into primary, intermediate, and junior/senior high schools. Northwest Area School District formerly contained three elementary schools. These schools were: Huntington Mills Elementary School, Hunlock Creek Elementary School, and Garrison Elementary School. Garrison Elementary was located in downtown Shickshinny, next to Shickshinny Creek, while Hunlock Creek Elementary and Huntington Mills Elementary were located in their namesake communities. At the end of the 2009–2010 school year, Garrison Elementary was closed.

Geography

Shickshinny is located at (41.154044, -76.151182) along U.S. Route 11, midway between Nanticoke and Berwick.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , of which is land and , or 9.34%, is water. Shickshinny's terrain is flat in the east; the elevation increases as you move westward. Shickshinny is made up of homes and businesses; the borough is surrounded by thick forests.

Climate

The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfb" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).

<gallery mode=packed heights=135>

File:Pennsylvania Route 239 bridge over the Susquehanna River.JPG|The PA 239 bridge linking Shickshinny to Mocanaqua

Shickshinny Creek and Garrison Elementary.JPG|Shickshinny Creek

Shickshinny PA Presby.jpg|Presbyterian Church in Shickshinny

Shickshinny, Pennsylvania (8484160092).jpg|Houses in Shickshinny

Shickshinny.jpg|Road in Shickshinny

</gallery>

Notable people

  • Ryan McGlynn, racing driver
  • Krysten Ritter, actress
  • Carl Sawatski, Major League Baseball player and president of the Texas League (1976 to 1991)

References

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  • Shickshinny.org, Business Association of the Greater Shickshinny Area