Girardville, PA

Girardville is a small, close-knit borough set in the rolling hills of Schuylkill County, right in the heart of Pennsylvania's coal region. Home to around 1,100 residents, it offers a quiet, neighborly setting with very affordable housing. Local kids attend the nearby North Schuylkill School District, and the town's biggest yearly highlight is its famous St. Patrick's Day parade, a decades-old tradition that brings festive crowds and pipe bands to Main Street every March.

ATTRShuvaev / CC BY-SA 4.0

The town traces its history back to Philadelphia merchant Stephen Girard, who bought local land in 1830 before the area boomed during the 19th-century anthracite mining rush. That heritage remains visible in the steep hillside streets and landmark buildings like the historic Hibernian House. Today, Girardville is a down-to-earth community with deep family roots, scenic mountain views, and a relaxed, small-town pace.