ZIP Code 17961 Housing Market

📝 Local Market Notes

The housing market in ZIP code 17961, located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, exhibits a distinct pattern of accelerated appreciation recently. Over the past five years, the Home Price Index (HPI) has risen from 180.36 in 2021 to 262.42 in 2025, representing a cumulative increase of approximately 45.5%. This trajectory highlights a period of significant value growth, particularly between 2024 and 2025, where the index jumped from 258.51 to 262.42. While the recent year-over-year growth of 1.51% appears moderate, it follows a sharp surge from 2023 to 2024, suggesting that the market has stabilized at a higher price point after a rapid expansion phase. Currently, ZIP 17961 is underperforming relative to both its parent county and the broader state. The county’s year-over-year appreciation stands at 5.86%, while the state average is 3.89%. This divergence indicates that while the wider region continues to see robust demand, the specific sub-market within 17961 has cooled or is experiencing slower inventory turnover. Nearby ZIP 17972 shows a negative trend of -5.84%, whereas ZIP 17922 maintains a higher HPI of 332.3 without recent YoY data, suggesting a fragmented local market where 17961 sits in the mid-range. As a sub-market, 17961 aligns with the affordable, owner-occupied character of Schuylkill County. The county’s median home value of $153,000 and median household income of $68,313 suggest an entry-level to mid-tier housing environment, reinforced by a 76.1% owner-occupancy rate. However, the ZIP’s HPI of 262.4 indicates that current prices have outpaced the county median significantly, implying that the specific inventory in 17961 may be more desirable or updated than the county average. For prospective buyers, the current 7.40% mortgage rate combined with the slower 1.51% price growth in this ZIP offers a more favorable entry point compared to the faster-moving county market. Residents should note that while prices have risen sharply, the recent slowdown in YoY growth suggests a potential plateau in immediate appreciation relative to surrounding areas.

Based on FHFA House Price Index data.