The population of Carbondale is approximately 10,664 .  Carbondale covers 8.389 sq. kilometers, so it is considered a fairly small Pennsylvania coal town. Yet, a very popular college course is now entitled "Carbondale: The Biography of a Coal Town". Why? Because Carbondale's history and economy, to a great extent, mirror the history and economy of Pennsylvania.

Carbondale, located in Lackawanna County, in northeast PA, is part of the Scranton - Wilkes-Barre -Hazleton metropolitan area. However, Carbondale is older then Scranton or Wilkes-Barre. One story relates its name originated from an obscure Hudson Mining memo referring to the "dale where carbon was found."  Another, says that the town was named by Washington Irving, a famous author, and Philip Hone, founder of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Originally known as "Ragged Island", and later as Barrendale, Carbondale's name is a combination of "Carbon" , for coal, and "dale" meaning valley.

America's first underground anthracite mine, was started in Carbondale after the end of the war of 1812. Heavy restrictions were placed on coal imports from England at the time.

Centered in a geologically special area of only 500 square miles in northeastern Pennsylvania, Carbondale was not sitting on coal as history had known it. Carbondale was built on "black diamonds" or, as the world would come to call it - anthracite coal. The Industrial Revolution in the 9th century was built on the backs of Pennsylvanian men and boys who, despite the danger and the hardship, mined and loaded millions of tons of anthracite. Anthracite fueled nineteenth and early twentieth-century America and gave rise to this new nation's capitalism.

There are many cultural offerings in Carbondale. Don't miss the nearby Mauch Chunk Opera House, the Hazard House Gallery, and the Maria Feliz Gallery and Sculpture Garden. Recreation, in the area - as well as in the nearby Poconos mountains, includes Mountain Biking & Hiking, Downhill & Crosscountry Skiing, Golf, Fishing, and Swimming and Boating.