Coolbaugh Township is a sprawling, diverse municipality located in northern Monroe County, Pennsylvania, known for its wooded landscapes, lakeside communities, and proximity to major Pocono attractions. It’s one of the largest and most populous townships in the county, offering a mix of residential neighborhoods, recreational areas, and military infrastructure.
🗺️ Geographic & Civic Overview
Incorporated: 1794
Area: ~88 square miles (227 km²), with ~2% water coverage
Elevation: ~1,739 feet (530 m) — one of the higher elevations in Monroe County
Population: 20,805 (2020 Census)
School District: Pocono Mountain School District
🏞️ Communities & Features
Tobyhanna: A major unincorporated community within the township, often confused with Tobyhanna Township (which is separate)
Arrowhead Lake & Pocono Lake: Popular residential and vacation areas with strong short-term rental activity
Gouldsboro: Partially within township boundaries
Tobyhanna State Park: Offers hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing in a pristine forest setting
Tobyhanna Army Depot: A key employer and federal facility, also designated a Superfund site due to past contamination concerns
🏘️ Demographics & Culture
Diverse Population: Includes significant African American and Hispanic communities
Median Age: ~37.4 years
Household Size: Average of 2.95 people
Short-Term Rentals: Over 800 licensed STRs; permitted in residential zones with inspections, but not allowed in commercial or industrial zones
🛣️ Infrastructure & Governance
Roads: ~70 miles of township-maintained roads
Government: Managed by a five-member Board of Supervisors
Recent Projects: Route 196 safety improvements and STR regulation updates
🌄 Regional Identity
Coolbaugh Township is a dynamic blend of Appalachian forest heritage, military-industrial history, and modern recreational living. Its high elevation and proximity to lakes and parks make it a magnet for both full-time residents and seasonal visitors. The township’s evolving demographic and land-use patterns reflect broader shifts in Monroe County’s identity—from rural retreat to suburbanized Pocono hub.
Short Term Rental Information
Coolbaugh Township is a popular STR location as the township allows for short-term rentals in residential zoning areas with necessary permits and inspections. There are more than 800 Short-term Rental Licenses issued in the township. STR is not allowed in Commercial or Industrial zoned areas. Arrowhead Lake, Pocono Lake and other communities indicate that the practice is allowed, see Coolbaugh Township’s Short-term Rental Rules for more details. See short term rental rules and regulations below or apply here.
Sheriff’s Sale OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE By virtue of a Writ of Execution issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 6492 CIVIL 2023 I, Nick Cirranello, Sheriff of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will expose the following described real estate to be sold at a public online auction conducted by Bid4Assets, 8757 Georgia Ave., Suite 520, Silver Springs, MD 20910 on: Thursday, June 27, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M.
Sheriff’s Sale OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE By virtue of a Writ of Execution issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 8236 CIVIL 2023 I, Nick Cirranello, Sheriff of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will expose the following described real estate to be sold at a public online auction conducted by Bid4Assets, 8757 Georgia Ave., Suite 520, Silver Springs, MD 20910 on: Thursday, June 27, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M.
Sheriff’s Sale OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE By virtue of a Writ of Execution issued out of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 005043 CIVIL 2023 I, Nick Cirranello, Sheriff of Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will expose the following described real estate to be sold at a public online auction conducted by Bid4Assets, 8757 Georgia Ave., Suite 520, Silver Springs, MD 20910 on: Thursday, June 27, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M.
ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Ulysses Lawrence McIntyre Sr. a/k/a Ulysses L. McIntyre Jr., lateof Coolbaugh, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.
COOLBAUGH TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say three people were arrested Wednesday and are investigating a report of shots fired outside an Airbnb in the Poconos.
Pocono Mountain Regional Police said in a release the three people arrested are 26-year-old Yervison Yohan Zapata-Zul, 23-year-old Luis Viera-Aguilar, and 26-year-old Hendrick Morales, all from Venezuela.
COOLBAUGH TWP., MONROE COUNTY(WBRE/WYOU) — Police say they are investigating a report of shots fired outside an Airbnb in the Poconos.
Chief Wagner with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police told 28/22 News for the past 24 to 48 hours police have been getting calls of suspicious activity around the area of Warwick Circle and Coach Road in Coolbaugh Township.
Wednesday morning, an incident took place at a home being rented out via Airbnb known as a “party house”, Chief Wagner stated.
Description The Pocono Mountain Regional Police are investigating a report of shots fired and a related motor vehicle crash in the area of Warwick Circle, Pocono Farms East. Multiple police units are on-scene. The scene and community are stable and there is currently no known danger to the public. The investigation is on-going. PMRPD is being assisted by multiple agencies.
A shots fired investigation is underway in Monroe County, according to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.
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On Monday, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department said it was dispatched to a suspicious male on Route 196 and Renaissance Lane in Coolbaugh Township. The call indicated there was a Hispanic male running through private property and then onto State Route 196 with no shoes and appeared in distress.
NOTICE The Township of Coolbaugh is currently considering purchasing a John Deere 544 P-Tier Wheel Loader to transport yard waste and recycled material. This loader will be stored and utilized at the Township's recycling center, located at 549 Laurel Drive, Tobyhanna, PA, 18466. The Township is applying for a PA DEP Act 101, Section 902 Recycling Grant to fund the purchase of this equipment.
ESTATE NOTICE RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS H. GASIEWSKI, late of Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania (Died May 7, 2023). Notice is hereby given that Letters Testementary on the above estate have been granted to Timothy Gasiewski. All persons indebted to said estate are required to make payment and those having claims to present the same without delay to the Executor named above or to James P. Gregorowicz, Esquire, Attorney for the Estate, SNB Plaza, Suite 405, 108 North Washington Avenue,Scranton, PA 18503. Publication Dates L00000000
ESTATE NOTICE Estate of Ulysses Lawrence McIntyre Sr. a/k/a Ulysses L. McIntyre Jr., lateof Coolbaugh, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, deceased.
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE Zoning Hearing Board of Coolbaugh Township will conduct a Public Hearing at the Coolbaugh Township Municipal Building located at 5520 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 6:30PM to hear the following application: An application for a variance from the dimensional standards of the Coolbaugh Township Zoning Code, Chapter 400.14(C), Attachment 2, filed by Michael and Lucy Wagoner the owners of the subject property.
ESTATE NOTICE RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS H. GASIEWSKI, late of Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania (Died May 7, 2023). Notice is hereby given that Letters Testementary on the above estate have been granted to Timothy Gasiewski. All persons indebted to said estate are required to make payment and those having claims to present the same without delay to the Executor named above or to James P. Gregorowicz, Esquire, Attorney for the Estate, SNB Plaza, Suite 405, 108 North Washington Avenue,Scranton, PA 18503. Publication Dates L00000000
Road and bridge projects totaling more than $143 million are underway or set to start this year in Monroe County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation .
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Healing through music. The State Department of Drug and Alcohol Secretary Dr. Latika Davis Jones paid a visit to Pyramid Healthcare’s Stroudsburg Outpatient Center, to participate in a music therapy session.
Taking steps toward recovery through music.
The stop is a part of a statewide tour to learn and gather feedback from addiction treatment specialists, to find out how to better combat the opioid and overdose epidemic across the commonwealth.
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Healing through music. The State Department of Drug and Alcohol Secretary Dr. Latika Davis Jones paid a visit to Pyramid Healthcare's Stroudsburg Outpatient Center, to participate in a music therapy session.
Taking steps toward recovery through music.
The stop is a part of a statewide tour to learn and gather feedback from addiction treatment specialists, to find out how to better combat the opioid and overdose epidemic across the commonwealth.
NOTICE The Township of Coolbaugh is currently considering purchasing a John Deere 544 P-Tier Wheel Loader to transport yard waste and recycled material. This loader will be stored and utilized at the Township's recycling center, located at 549 Laurel Drive, Tobyhanna, PA, 18466. The Township is applying for a PA DEP Act 101, Section 902 Recycling Grant to fund the purchase of this equipment.