Plymouth is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, located 4 mi west of Wilkes-Barre, along the Susquehanna River. The population was 5,763 as of the 2020 census.

History

Plymouth was first settled in 1769 by the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut, and until its incorporation as a borough in 1866, was part of Plymouth Township. The Pennamite-Yankee Wars were fought in the surrounding area. The town is situated in the once rich anthracite coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania. Coal was first shipped in 1807. In the past, the products of its manufacturing establishments included miners’ drilling machines and squibs, silk hosiery, and lumber products. Its population peaked in 1910 at 16,996.

Architecture

At the beginning of the 19th century, Plymouth's primary industry was agriculture, and many of its residents were the descendants of the Connecticut Yankees who first settled the town. Its early architecture resembled that of a small New England village. Large quantities of anthracite coal lay below the surface at various depths, and by the 1850s, coal mining had become the town's primary occupation, attracting a more diverse population. After the arrival of the railroad in 1857, the town's architecture became more typical of a growing industrial center.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.1 sqkm, of which 2.8 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 7.31%, is water.

Demographics

2020 demographics

At the 2020 census, Plymouth had a population of 5,763.

2010 demographics

At the 2010 census, Plymouth had a population of 5,951. The reported racial and ethnic origin of the population was 90.6% White, 4.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% from other races, 2.0% reporting two or more races, and 3.3% Hispanic or Latino.

2000 demographics

As of the census of 2000, Plymouth had a population of 6,507. The reported racial and ethnic origin of the population was 98.4% White, 0.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population. The median income for a household in the borough was $27,379.

Notable people