Located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Hazle Township is a suburban buffer area surrounding the city of and the borough of West Hazleton. Native Americans used Hazle Township as a trading route and it grew to be a lucrative logging outpost. In the mid-nineteenth century, coal replaced lumber as the major industry, sparking rapid development. Over time, the region became a formidable industrial region.
The township's population has declined slightly since its high point in the early 20th century. Nearly fifteen thousand people lived in the township in 1940, but by the 1960s, the population was already declining. The decline in coal production led to many mines closing and people looking for work elsewhere. However, the city's population is still higher than the national average. There are a number of notable historical events that have affected the town's decline in the last century.
The township is home to under ten thousand residents, spread across several distinct neighborhoods. While there are differences between the residential neighborhoods in Hazle Township, they all share a common trait: security and safety. Pennsylvania State Police serve the area as well as the Hazleton Area School District, which has 10 elementary schools and the Hazle Academy of Science. The city is served by Lehigh Valley Health Network, which has a Hazleton-based hospital and several satellite clinics. There are several Geisinger clinics throughout the area.