The Cost of Standing Still: School Budget and Jim Thorpe’s Fight for a Sustainable Future

Beyond beauty an area provides, people most often move to areas that are affordable, where there are good schools for their kids, good business opportunities to make a living, and things to do.

We all want our children to have opportunity and happy lives. For me, and I suspect of most others, I would like my children stay close to home that I can enjoy as much time with them, and maybe grandchildren, as possible.

Yet, Jim Thorpe has growing problem that doesn’t get a lot of attention.

A recent budget presentation by the Jim Thorpe Area School District revealed a projected $3.9 million shortfall for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, marking the fourth consecutive year the district has faced multi-million-dollar budget deficits.

In 2022–2023, the board declined a proposed tax increase that would have generated $1.2 million to help close a $5.3 million deficit. Instead, the district implemented cuts to transportation, facilities, and staff. In 2023–2024, a $3.1 million deficit prompted additional reductions, including the elimination of 14 full-time positions and multiple bus routes. For 2024–2025, despite another substantial shortfall, the board once again opted against raising property taxes.

Current projections indicate that the district’s reserve fund balance could fall to just $20,312 by the 2026–2027 fiscal year if no new revenue sources are identified, raising concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of the district.

An analysis of the most recent census data and educational statistics provides helpful insight into the demographics of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, particularly concerning the age distribution of residents, trends in the local school district, and the movement patterns of younger individuals out of the borough.

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Age Demographics

As of 2023, Jim Thorpe has a population of approximately 4,534 residents with a median age of 49.9 years. This median age is notably higher than both the Pennsylvania state median of 40.9 years and the national median of 38.9 years, indicating an older population in the borough. 

The elevated median age indicates that a significant portion of Jim Thorpe’s population consists of middle-aged and older adults. This trend may be driven by younger residents relocating to other areas in search of greater employment and educational opportunities, coupled with a decline in younger families moving into the area. Meanwhile, older individuals, including retirees, have remained in Jim Thorpe for its beauty and family history, while relying on its relative affordability and familiarity.

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School District Enrollment Trends 

The Jim Thorpe Area School District currently enrolls approximately 1,766 students across its three schools, reflecting a gradual decline in enrollment over recent years. For comparison, the district reported 1,843 students during the 2020–2021 academic year.

This downward trend likely reflects broader demographic shifts, including a declining birth rate and the outmigration of younger families. In response, the district is closely monitoring enrollment data to guide long-term planning and resource allocation. One of the more pressing challenges has been the community’s resistance to tax increases, even as the district faces significant, recurring budget shortfalls. As a result, the school board has opted to implement staffing reductions and program cuts rather than pursue additional funding through tax measures.

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Migration Patterns of Younger Residents

Data on geographical mobility reveals that only 8.5% of Jim Thorpe residents moved from a different residence within the past year, which is lower than the state average of 11.1%.  This low mobility rate, combined with the higher median age, suggests that younger individuals may be relocating elsewhere, potentially in pursuit of employment, education, and/or better opportunities.

Anecdotal evidence from community discussions supports this observation, with some residents noting that younger people often leave Jim Thorpe and do not return, citing limited local opportunities and amenities for younger demographics. 

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The Silver Tsunami

The notably aging population of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, with a median age nearly a decade above the state and national averages reflects a broader demographic trend that’s part of what economists and planners call the “Silver Tsunami”, the large-scale aging and eventual passing of the baby boomer generation.

One of the most immediate concerns is the impact on the housing market which saw significant growth during the last four years. For instance, the average sales price in Carbon County, which includes Jim Thorpe, increased from approximately $175,041 in 2020 to $240,326 by mid-2023. As older residents vacate or pass on, their homes, many of which are small, older, and some poorly maintained, may flood the market at a price and pace that exceeds demand, particularly if younger families are not moving in at the same rate.

This could lead to blight, an overabundance of aging housing stock, and a mismatch between available homes and what younger buyers want or can afford.

Additionally, with school enrollment already declining and mobility among younger residents relatively low, the borough could face ongoing reductions in services, tax revenue, and volunteer participation, all of which are often sustained by long-time residents. Planning for this shift is essential, as the community needs to consider attracting younger residents and re-configuring infrastructure to meet changing population needs.

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The Tourism “Problem”

Jim Thorpe is currently experiencing a renaissance in the tourism industry. But a lack of effective planning and crowd management has led to overcrowding and congestion that is now being mischaracterized as “overtourism” by many who don’t see solutions beyond reducing the amount of people coming here.

This viewpoint is at direct odds with our significantly aging population and the shrinking interest of our children to grow and raise their own families here.

For Jim Thorpe to be more attractive to the type of investment that we need now and will need even more to avoid the issues that will be introduced by the Silver Tsunami, we need planning put in place that improves those things which attract people to live, invest, and to raise families here: regional beauty, good schools for kids, business opportunities to make a living, and things to do.

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Solutions for Consideration

Preserving Regional Beauty

Jim Thorpe’s charm lies in its historic character and natural setting, but our sidewalks are deteriorating, and many buildings suffer from years of deferred maintenance. Rather than relying on punitive enforcement, we should pursue proactive, community-focused solutions: grant programs, low-interest financing, and incentive-based approaches that help property owners make needed repairs and restore their buildings. Investment in the revitalization and beautification of our streets and structures will create a more scenic, welcoming environment for both current residents and future generations.

Strengthening Our Schools

Now more than ever, investing in our schools is critical to the long-term vitality of our community. Attracting and retaining strong educators, expanding services, and improving academic and extracurricular offerings will help reverse declining enrollment and draw young families back to the area. Rather than using population decline as justification for reduced funding, we should treat it as a challenge to be met, a call to reinvest in our youth and public education system to secure a more vibrant future.

Supporting Smart Business Growth

Our downtown holds enormous potential, but it needs better planning that fosters long-term business development and a more welcoming environment for locals and visitors alike. By supporting entrepreneurship, streamlining permitting, and looking to creative ways to offer new spaces for retail, food, and cultural venues, we can create real opportunity for residents to live, work, and grow here. This includes ensuring that young people who want to stay and start businesses in Jim Thorpe have the resources, support, and infrastructure to do so.

Creating More Things To Do

What some view as “overtourism” is often the result of poor planning and limited infrastructure, not too much interest in our town, but too few outlets to accommodate it. Overcrowding and congestion are real challenges, but they can be addressed by strategic expansion of commercial opportunities and public amenities. For example, we should consider negotiating with the County to reduce the number of street vendors in Hazard Square, which currently contributes to congestion and detracts from patronage of local brick-and-mortar businesses.

Instead, we can encourage visitors to disperse more evenly throughout town by creating new areas within or adjacent to the walkable district for shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This would increase investment in underutilized buildings, improve quality of life for residents, and enhance the visitor experience, all without exacerbating parking and traffic issues tied to drive-to businesses.

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Moving Forward with Purpose

These are just a few ideas, but the core message is this: we must be forward-thinking, not reactive. Jim Thorpe faces real challenges, but also remarkable opportunities. If we plan with intention, invest wisely, and work together, we can secure Jim Thorpe’s future as the jewel of Carbon County and a model of sustainable small-town success.