About Pike County
Pike County is located in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, forming part of the Pocono Mountains region and sharing its eastern border with both New Jersey and New York. Established on March 26, 1814, from parts of Wayne County, Pike County was named after General Zebulon Pike, the explorer for whom Pike Countys Peak in Colorado is also named. Pike County Seat is Milford, a historic county situated along the Delaware River.
Pike County includes approximately 547 square miles and has experienced significant population growth over recent decades, with current population estimates exceeding 55,000 residents. Pike County is characterized by its natural beauty, including portions of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, numerous lakes such as Lake Wallenpaupack (partially), and extensive forested areas. Pike County is home to Grey Towers National Historic Site, the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the U.S.
Forest Service and twice Governor of Pennsylvania. Pike County Courthouse is located at 506 Broad Street in Milford. Pike Recorder of Deeds of Deeds maintains property records at the same courthouse location.
Pike County Assessment Office, responsible for property valuations, operates from 506 Broad Street as well. The Prothonotary's Office handles court filings and certain civil records. Pike County has transformed from a primarily agricultural and tourism-based economy to a bedroom community for workers commuting to New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, while still maintaining its recreational appeal with ski resorts, hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities drawing visitors year-round.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Pike County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Pike County, particularly in the unincorporated areas. The office handles a variety of duties, including patrolling rural regions, serving legal documents, and managing Pike County jail. Notable programs include community policing initiatives and partnerships with local schools to enhance safety and security.
Police Departments
Pike County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Pike County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Milford County Police Department and the Matamoras Police Department. Each agency operates within its jurisdiction, with the Sheriff's Office covering unincorporated areas and the municipal departments focusing on their respective towns. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure full law enforcement coverage throughout Pike County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Pike County Sheriff's Office, located at 506 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337, is the primary law enforcement agency for Pike County's courts and provides security, serves warrants, and transports prisoners. Pike County does not operate a traditional county jail; inmates are typically housed at Pike County Correctional Facility or transferred to other facilities through contractual arrangements.
- Mugshots and booking photos may be available through direct requests to the arresting agency, though Pennsylvania does not maintain a centralized public mugshot database.
- The Delaware River provides a unique jurisdictional boundary, and coordination with New Jersey and New York law enforcement agencies is common for cross-border incidents.
Municipal police departments in Pike County include the Milford County Police Department, Matamoras County Police Department, and Delaware Township Police Department, among others, with Pennsylvania State Police providing coverage for areas without local departments. Pennsylvania State Police Troop R serves Pike County with barracks in several locations. Arrest records and criminal history information in Pike County are subject to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S.
§ 67.101 et seq, though certain exemptions apply to ongoing investigations and protected personal information. Some information may be accessible through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's public access portal for court cases.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Pike County includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system, which provides information on criminal history statewide. The Pennsylvania State Police offers additional resources for Pike County residents seeking detailed criminal records.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Pike County are maintained by Pike County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the respective law enforcement agency or through the Pennsylvania State Police under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Arrest records typically contain the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and case status.
Jail & Inmate Records
Pike County Correctional Facility is the main detention center in Pike County, where individuals arrested in Pike County are booked and held. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through Pike County's official website, allowing residents to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring appointments and adherence to a strict schedule.
- The bond and bail process follows Pennsylvania state guidelines, allowing for release upon payment of a set amount or through a bail bondsman.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Pike County are taken and retained by Pike County Correctional Facility during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or Pike County's official website. Pennsylvania does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for expungement under certain circumstances.
Courts & Case Records
Pike County's court system operates under the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The Court of Common Pleas of Pike County, located at 506 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337, serves as Pike County's trial court of general jurisdiction, handling civil cases, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, and orphans' court proceedings. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Pike County has Magisterial District Courts that handle preliminary hearings, summary offenses, minor civil matters under $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and issue warrants.
- Searching the portal is free, though certified copies of documents require fees and must be requested from the Prothonotary's Office or Clerk of Courts.
- Fees for certified copies typically range from $6 to $10 per document, with additional per-page charges.
These district courts are located throughout Pike County to provide local access. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides online access to docket sheets and case information through its web portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, which covers both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases in Pike County. The Prothonotary handles civil case filings, while the Clerk of Courts manages criminal case records.
Pennsylvania's public access policy, codified in the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, governs what court records are publicly accessible, with certain confidential matters such as adoption records, juvenile cases, and sealed documents excluded from public view. Pike County Orphans' Court Division handles estates, wills, guardianships, and trusts.
Property & Public Records
Pike Recorder of Deeds of Deeds, located at 506 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337, maintains all land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, rights-of-way, and other instruments affecting real property in Pike County. The office can be contacted for The Recorder's Office provides public access to historical and current land records, with some documents dating back to Pike County's founding in 1814.
- While basic searching is typically free, there may be fees for printing or downloading official documents.
- Pike County Assessment Office, also at 506 Broad Street (phone: 570-296-3435), maintains property tax assessment records, parcel maps, and property characteristics data.
- Their online GIS system provides interactive mapping and property information including assessed values, sale histories, and tax information.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Recorder's office for a fee of approximately $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
Vital Records
Vital records for Pike County, Pennsylvania, are maintained at both Pike County and state levels. Birth and death certificates occurring in Pike County can be obtained from Pike County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court office, located at 506 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337 Birth certificates are restricted to the individual (if of age), parents listed on the certificate, or legal representatives, while death certificates are more broadly accessible.
- The fee for certified copies is typically $20 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time for in-person requests is usually immediate to a few days, while mail requests may take two to three weeks.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Pike County Register of Wills office; couples must apply in person with proper identification and pay the fee (approximately $50).
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek at www.health.pa.gov for state-held records, with additional processing fees.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Pike County involves multiple jurisdictions and agencies. For local business operations, entrepreneurs should contact Pike County Planning Department at 506 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337 (phone: 570-296-3529) for information on zoning compliance, land use permits, and development requirements. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) are recorded with Pike County Prothonotary's Office at the courthouse.
- This database is free and provides information on business status, registration date, registered agent, and principal address.
- Pike County Chamber of Commerce, serving the broader Pocono Mountains region, provides business resources and networking opportunities; their website is pikecountychamber.com.
The primary resource for business entity information in Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, which maintains a searchable online database at www.corporations.pa.gov where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, real estate agents, and healthcare providers are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, accessible at www.dos.pa.gov/occupations. Sales tax licenses are obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Building permits in Pike County are handled by Pike County Building Inspection Office, and requirements vary by county. Certain municipalities within Pike County may have additional local business privilege taxes or licensing requirements.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Pike County, Pennsylvania, are administered by Pike County Bureau of Elections, located at 506 Broad Street, Milford, PA 18337. The Elections Office can be contacted through the office’s website, and information is available at Pike County website pikepa.org under the Elections section.
- In the November 2024 general election, Pike County saw voter turnout of approximately 70-75% of registered voters, consistent with high-turnout presidential elections in Pike County.
- Pike County provides a ballot drop box at the courthouse for secure submission.
Voter registration in Pike County can be completed online through the Pennsylvania Department of State's online voter registration portal at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx, or by submitting a paper application available at the Elections Office, driver license centers, and various public agencies. The voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania is 15 days before any election. Pennsylvania offers same-day registration during early voting periods as of recent legislative changes, though voters should verify current procedures.
To find your polling place in Pike County, voters can use the polling place lookup tool at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov or contact the Elections Office directly. Pike County election records that are public include voter registration lists (available for purchase for legitimate purposes under 25 P.S. § 2621), campaign finance reports filed with Pike County for local candidates, candidate petition filings, and official election results broken down by precinct.
Pennsylvania's Election Code, 25 P.S. § 2601 et seq, governs public access to election materials. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race, one U.S.
Senate seat, all U.S. House seats including Pike County's representative, and state legislative races. Pennsylvania offers no-excuse mail-in voting; any registered voter can request a mail-in or absentee ballot through the online portal at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov, by submitting a paper application to the Elections Office, or in person.
Mail-in ballot applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Tuesday before Election Day, and completed ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day. The Elections Office conducts pre-election logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment, and Pennsylvania law allows for poll watchers and pre-canvass observation, supporting election transparency.
Economy & Demographics
Pike County's economy has undergone significant transformation over the past several decades, evolving from traditional industries of agriculture, timber, and seasonal tourism to a more diverse economy heavily influenced by its proximity to the New York metropolitan area. A substantial portion of Pike County's workforce commutes to jobs in New Jersey and New York, making Pike County a classic bedroom community. The median household income in Pike County is approximately $70,000 to $75,000, above the Pennsylvania state average, reflecting the influence of higher-earning commuters.
Tourism and recreation remain vital economic sectors, with Pike County's natural attractions including portions of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, ski resorts, golf courses, fishing, hunting, and water sports on numerous lakes drawing seasonal visitors. Major employers include Pocono Medical Center (part of Lehigh Valley Health Network), school districts, retail establishments, and hospitality businesses. The construction industry has been active due to residential development, though growth has moderated from peak periods.
Small businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, and service providers, form the backbone of the local economy. Pike County has relatively low industrial activity compared to other Pennsylvania counties. The unemployment rate typically tracks close to or slightly below state averages.
Economic development efforts focus on balancing growth with preservation of Pike County's natural character and quality of life. Pike County Economic Development office works to attract appropriate businesses while maintaining environmental standards. Real estate development and property management represent significant economic activity given Pike County's appeal to second-home buyers and retirees.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Online with GIS | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Request Required | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online Voter Tools | Overall Score: 7/10, Pike County provides good online access to court and property records through state and county portals, though arrest logs and vital records require direct contact.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Pike County
Explore public records for 14 cities and communities in Pike County, Pennsylvania.