Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley is a geographic and metropolitan region in eastern Pennsylvania, formed by the Lehigh River. It lies within Lehigh and Northampton counties and is part of the larger Great Appalachian Valley. Bounded by Blue Mountain to the north and South Mountain to the south, the valley stretches about 40 miles long and 20 miles wide. Its largest city is Allentown, Pennsylvania's third-largest city and the county seat of Lehigh County.

As of 2023, the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton metropolitan area, which includes the Lehigh Valley, ranks as Pennsylvania's third-most populous metropolitan area and the nation's 66th-largest metropolitan area. The region has seen significant growth, especially among young adults, and has become a key part of Pennsylvania's labor workforce. Major highways like Interstate 78 and Interstate 476 connect its main cities.

Historically, the Lehigh Valley was a global leader in steel and heavy manufacturing, especially through Bethlehem Steel. However, since the early 1980s, the region faced economic challenges as manufacturing declined. In recent years, it has transformed into a national center for the U.S. logistics industry, particularly in warehousing and intermodal transport. By 2023, the Lehigh Valley's gross domestic product reached $55.7 billion, with manufacturing still playing a major role.

The region's main airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport, served nearly 931,000 passengers in 2023 and set a new record for cargo handling. Located in the center of the U.S. Northeast megalopolis, the Lehigh Valley offers easy access to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia, as well as close proximity to large populations across the United States and Canada. This strategic location has helped the area grow as a leader in light manufacturing and commercial distribution.

Throughout its history, the Lehigh Valley has been home to several notable Americans who have made important contributions in many fields, including business, government, the arts, and sports, including Olympic-level athletics.

History

See also: History of Pennsylvania

Colonial era

Further information: Walking Purchase

The Lehigh Valley was settled in the 1700s by many German immigrants who were escaping war and religious persecution. Before they arrived, the area was home to Lenape Indian tribes who hunted, fished, and collected jasper there. The region became part of Bucks County in 1682. A building called Shelter House in Emmaus, built in 1734, is the oldest standing structure in the Lehigh Valley and one of the oldest in Pennsylvania.

In 1737, family members of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, obtained much of the Lehigh Valley in an agreement known as the Walking Purchase. The Lenape Indians resisted this by attacking settlers in the 1750s and 1760s but were eventually moved away by the mid-1760s. In 1752, the area became part of Northampton County, and later Lehigh County was created from Northampton County in 1812.

American Revolutionary War

Further information: Liberty Bell and Pennsylvania in the American Revolution

The Lehigh Valley played a key role during the American Revolution. Allentown and nearby areas were among the first to resist British colonial rule. By June 1774, local patriots were meeting to plan their resistance. On December 21, 1774, Allentown formed a Committee of Observation to organize against British control.

Easton, in the Lehigh Valley, was one of only three places, along with Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey, where the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in public for the very first time on July 8, 1776.

After winning the Battle of Trenton, General Washington and his soldiers passed through the Lehigh Valley. They stopped in Allentown to rest and water their horses. Allentown also helped the Revolution by hiding the Liberty Bell to keep it safe from the British.

American Civil War

Further information: 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and Pennsylvania in the American Civil War

The Lehigh Valley was also important during the Civil War. When war broke out, Allentown quickly sent soldiers to defend Washington, D.C.. These soldiers became part of the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, which fought in many important battles and helped the Union win the war.

A monument to honor those from the Lehigh Valley who served and died for the Union was placed in Allentown in 1899 and is still there today.

Industrial Revolution

Further information: Industrial Revolution in the United States

The opening of the Lehigh Canal in 1827 helped change Allentown and the Lehigh Valley from a quiet farm area into a busy industrial center. The area grew a lot during the 1800s and early 1900s, becoming a major place for making things.

The Lehigh Valley got its name from the Lehigh River, which flows through it. The area’s wealth came from anthracite coal, wood, and iron, which could be moved easily thanks to the canal and railroads.

The canal worked until the Great Depression, helping move goods along the Delaware River and to other places.

Bethlehem Steel's downfall

Main article: Bethlehem Steel

In the 1900s, Bethlehem Steel grew to become one of the biggest steel makers in the United States. Its steel was used in famous buildings like the Empire State Building and important bridges.

But by 1982, Bethlehem Steel began losing money due to competition from other countries and higher costs. The company had to cut back, leading to many job losses in the Lehigh Valley. The company kept going at a smaller scale but finally stopped making steel in Bethlehem in 1995. It filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and was dissolved in 2003.

21st century

In 2023, a report named the Lehigh Valley one of the best places in the United States to retire. The same year, it was also listed as one of the nation’s hottest places for buying a home.

Geography

See also: Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania), Lehigh River, and South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)

The Lehigh Valley is part of a big area called the Great Appalachian Valley. This area is made of special rock called limestone and runs along the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains. The Lehigh Valley gets its name from the Lehigh River, which runs through it. The river flows between two mountain ridges: Blue Mountain to the north and South Mountain to the south. This valley is the lower part of the area where the Lehigh River collects water.

Cities and location

The Lehigh Valley has three main cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. It is located between two big cities, about 90 miles west of New York City and 60 miles north of Philadelphia. The area shares borders with several places, including Carbon County, the Delaware River, and parts of New Jersey and other nearby counties.

Metropolitan and Combined Statistical Areas

The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area is a large group of nearby places that work together. It includes Carbon County in the Coal Region, Lehigh and Northampton counties in the Lehigh Valley, and Warren County in the Skylands region of northwest New Jersey. In 2023, about 873,555 people lived there, making it the 67th-biggest group of nearby places in the country.

In July 2023, this area joined a bigger group called the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg, PA-NJ Combined Statistical Area. This bigger group also includes Monroe County in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 counting of people, about 1,030,216 people lived in this bigger group, making it the 59th-biggest in the nation.

Climate

See also: Climate of Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Lehigh Valley experiences four different seasons. Summers are usually hot and humid, while winters are cold. Spring and fall are brief and mild. The area has a humid continental climate and its hardiness zone ranges from 5b in higher places in northern Carbon County to 6b in Lehigh, Northampton, and southern Warren Counties. For Lehigh Valley International Airport and lower areas, the hardiness zone is 7a.

Demographics

The Lehigh Valley is home to 861,889 people, according to the 2020 U.S. census. This makes it the third-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania and the 68th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

In 2018, a survey found that most people in the Lehigh Valley are White American. Smaller groups include Black or African American, Asian American, and Hispanics and Latinos, who are growing quickly. Many people move to the Lehigh Valley from places like New Jersey and New York because it has a lower cost of living and good job opportunities.

The region's median household income grew from $57,288 to $81,709 between 2015 and 2024. The population is expected to rise by 227,000 people by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.

Economy

Further information: Economy of Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Lehigh Valley has a long history of making things, especially big metal products, during the 1800s and 1900s. But starting in the 1980s, making things was harder because other countries made things cheaper. One big company, Bethlehem Steel, which made a lot of steel, stopped working in the early 1980s and finally closed in 2003.

Since then, the Lehigh Valley has changed and grown in new ways. Today, people there work in many different jobs, not just making things. The area is known for doing well even after losing many factories. Since 2014, a magazine has called the Lehigh Valley one of the best places in the country for growing businesses. In 2023, it was called the best place for mid-sized markets.

As of 2020, the main jobs in the Lehigh Valley are in finance, making things, health care, schools, and business services. Other important jobs are in transportation, stores, and restaurants. In 2023, the Lehigh Valley’s total amount of money from all its work was $55.7 billion. Over 365,900 people live there and work there, and over 1.7 million people live close enough to visit or work there.

Bethlehem Steel

Main article: Bethlehem Steel

The Lehigh Valley has always been good at making strong materials like steel, cement, silk, and clothes. Bethlehem Steel, started in 1899 in Bethlehem, was very important for the Lehigh Valley’s work for almost 100 years. At its best, Bethlehem Steel was one of the biggest steel makers in the world. Its steel helped build famous buildings and bridges like the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and many others. During World War II, Bethlehem Steel helped make materials for the country.

But in the late 1900s, other countries started making steel better and cheaper. In 1982, Bethlehem Steel said it would stop most of its work. In 2001, it could not pay its debts and closed in 2003. Many other big factories in the Lehigh Valley also closed or got smaller, which made it hard for the area.

In the 2000s, the Lehigh Valley started growing new kinds of work, like helping people with money, health care, science, and technology. The area also became a good place for big companies to keep their things because it is close to many big cities and has lower costs than other places on the East Coast. Recently, some factories have started opening again because people want things made in the U.S. and it costs more to ship things from far away. Companies from China and Germany have opened big factories in the Lehigh Valley, creating many new jobs.

Largest employers

As of 2024, the five biggest private companies in the Lehigh Valley are: 1.) Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown; 2.) St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Fountain Hill; 3.) Amazon with a very big building in Palmer Township; 4.) Mack Trucks with its main office in Macungie; and 5.) Air Products with its world office in Trexlertown.

Business and economic environment

The Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest-growing places to work in Pennsylvania and the United States. In 2023, its total money from work was $55.7 billion, which grew four percent from 2022. This growth came from strong work in making things, money help, health care, and business services. In March 2024, it was named the best mid-sized market in America for helping businesses grow.

The Lehigh Valley is in the middle of many big cities on the East Coast. It is close to New York City and Philadelphia. It is also a day’s drive to over a third of the U.S. and over half of Canada. The area has a lower cost of living, cheaper houses, lower taxes, and more workers than many other places on the East Coast. These things, plus help for new businesses and friendly rules, make it a good place for companies to start or grow.

Because of this, the Lehigh Valley has attracted many big companies and new businesses from places like New York and New Jersey. This has created thousands of new jobs and brought lots of new money to the area. Amazon has praised the Lehigh Valley for helping businesses and building good places for them to work. Allegiant Air, a budget airline, opened a new base at Lehigh Valley International Airport in February 2020 because of the area’s growth, lower costs, and being close to many places to visit.

Other big companies in the Lehigh Valley include Broadcom Corporation, Avantor Performance Materials, Air Products, Crayola, Buckeye Partners, HeidelbergCement, Just Born, Mack Trucks, Martin Guitar, Olympus Corporation, OraSure Technologies, PPL Corporation, Wind Creek Bethlehem, Dun & Bradstreet, and Victaulic.

In 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Lehigh Valley was called the second-best place for its size to help businesses grow in the nation and the best in the East Coast. In 2015, Fortune said it was one of the top 10 best places in the U.S. to start money and computer work, including call centers and IT help. Allentown, the biggest city in the Lehigh Valley, was called a “national success story” in April 2016 for rebuilding its downtown and creating over $1 billion in new projects between 2015 and 2019.

The Lehigh Valley is a top place on the East Coast for storing and sending things. It is sometimes called the nation’s “second Inland Empire” for freight. Big companies that keep things in warehouses and distribution centers in the Lehigh Valley include Amazon, B. Braun, Boston Beer Company, BMW, Bridgestone, FedEx SmartPost, FedEx Ground, Home Depot, J. C. Penney, Nestlé Purina, ShopRite, Stitch Fix, The Coca-Cola Company, Ocean Spray, Phillips Pet Food and Supplies, True Value, Uline, and Zulily. Most of these places are along U.S. Route 22, Interstate 78, and Interstate 476, which make it easy to get to many big markets on the East Coast and beyond.

In September 2018, FedEx Ground built its biggest distribution center in the country near Lehigh Valley International Airport for $335 million. This center can handle up to 45,000 packages an hour and employs over 2,000 people. By 2030, it will be 1,100,000 square feet and employ over 3,000 people.

The Boston Beer Company runs its biggest U.S. brewery in Breinigsville in the Lehigh Valley, making over two-thirds of all Samuel Adams beer in the world. The company keeps improving and growing this place because it helps the company a lot. Ocean Spray, a popular juice company, makes 40 percent of its drinks at its plant in Breinigsville. Because Pennsylvania does not tax cigars and the Lehigh Valley is close to big markets, it is home to some of the nation’s biggest cigar sellers and stores.

Retail shopping

The biggest shopping area in the Lehigh Valley is along PA Route 145/MacArthur Road, just north of Allentown in Whitehall Township. This area has Lehigh Valley Mall and Whitehall Plaza.

Other malls in the Lehigh Valley include Palmer Park Mall in Easton and South Mall in Salisbury Township. In October 2006, Promenade Saucon Valley opened off Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township. Promenade is smaller than Lehigh Valley Mall but has fancier stores. In 2011, The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem opened in Bethlehem, becoming the Lehigh Valley’s first outlet mall. The Westgate Mall in Bethlehem became The Westgate shopping center.

Media

Main article: Media in the Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley is part of the Philadelphia television market, which is the nation's fourth-largest television market. It also receives TV stations from New York City and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. Local TV stations include WBPH-TV, a Christian station based in Bethlehem, WFMZ-TV, an independent station in Allentown, and WLVT-TV, a PBS station also based in Allentown.

The area has over 35 radio stations in both English and Spanish. These stations offer many types of programming, such as all-news, sports radio, talk radio, and NPR. Music formats include Top 40, hip hop, country, oldies, polka, soft rock, classic rock, and campus radio.

Local daily newspapers are The Morning Call and The Express-Times, both operating since the mid-1800s. There is also NJ.com, which shares news from Lehigh Valley and New Jersey newspapers.

Two magazines focus on the region: Lehigh Valley Style, based in Easton, and Lehigh Valley Magazine, the area's oldest lifestyle magazine, based in Harrisburg.

Main article: List of films shot in the Lehigh Valley

Several movies have been filmed in the Lehigh Valley. These include M. Night Shyamalan's Glass, the indie film Getting Grace starring Daniel Roebuck, and Taylor A. Purdee's folk rock musical Killian & the Comeback Kids, among others.

Education

The Lehigh Valley is home to several colleges and universities. There are seven main schools, including Cedar Crest College in Allentown, DeSales University in Center Valley, and Lafayette College in Easton. Other schools include Lehigh University, Moravian University, Muhlenberg College, and Penn State Lehigh Valley.

The area also has two community colleges: Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College. These schools have campuses in different towns across the Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley has many high schools, both public and private. Some of the larger ones include Allen High School and Bethlehem Catholic High School. These schools take part in sports competitions, with the biggest schools playing in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and smaller schools competing in the Colonial League.

Sports

See also: Sports in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Football

College football

See also: Lafayette Leopards football, Lehigh Mountain Hawks football, Muhlenberg Mules, and The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)

The Lehigh Valley is home to one of the oldest college football rivalries in the United States. Lafayette College in Easton and Lehigh University in Bethlehem have played each other many times since 1884. Two other colleges, Moravian University and Muhlenberg College, also have strong football teams.

National Football League

From 1996 to 2012, the Lehigh Valley hosted training for the Philadelphia Eagles football team each summer at Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

Gymnastics

Main article: Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center

The Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center in Allentown has trained many top gymnasts who have competed for the United States in the Olympics.

High school athletics

See also: Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and The Streak (Easton High School Wrestling)

Many high schools in the Lehigh Valley compete in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, known for its strong sports programs. Teams in football, basketball, field hockey, and wrestling often rank among the best in the country.

Professional baseball

In 2008, Coca-Cola Park opened in Allentown. It is home to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, a baseball team connected to the Philadelphia Phillies. The stadium’s first game was played in March 2008.

Professional ice hockey

In 2014, the PPL Center opened in Allentown. It is the home arena for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team and is used for many other events.

Roller derby

Lehigh Valley Roller Derby is a league based in Bethlehem. Its teams compete against others around the world.

Running events

The Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon is held each September. It includes a full marathon and shorter races. Lehigh University also hosts the Paul Short Run each year, which attracts thousands of runners. The Emmaus 5K race happens in October and is part of a Halloween parade.

Track cycling

Main article: Valley Preferred Cycling Center

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breinigsville is a track for cycling races. It has hosted competitions for both professional and amateur cyclists, including events sponsored by international groups.

Culture

See also: Culture of Allentown, Pennsylvania and List of films shot in the Lehigh Valley

The Allentown Art Museum in Center City Allentown is the biggest museum in the Lehigh Valley, with more than 11,000 pieces of art. Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center and Lafayette College's Williams Center for the Arts put on many plays, concerts, and shows each year. The Allentown Symphony Orchestra, led by Diane Wittry since 1995, plays music at Allentown's historic Miller Symphony Hall. The Banana Factory in South Bethlehem has art studios and galleries that anyone can visit.

Recreation

Amusement park

Main article: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

The Lehigh Valley is home to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, a fun place with rides and water activities in South Whitehall Township. Dorney Park is famous for its exciting roller coasters and water rides.

Casino

Main article: Wind Creek Bethlehem

In 2009, a big place for games and fun called Sands Casino Resort opened in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It was later sold and renamed Wind Creek Bethlehem in 2018. It is one of the few places in Pennsylvania where people can play games.

Festivals

See also: Great Allentown Fair, Mayfair Festival of the Arts, and Musikfest

The Lehigh Valley holds many fun festivals each year. The Great Allentown Fair, started in 1852, happens every late August to early September in Allentown. Musikfest, a big music event, takes place in Bethlehem each August. There are also festivals for cars, music, and art.

Golf and skiing

See also: Saucon Valley Country Club

The area has many places to play golf, including Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township. There are also many other golf courses around the valley.

Ice sports and skiing

See also: Bear Creek Mountain Resort

Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie is the main place for skiing. There are also three places in the Lehigh Valley for ice skating, hockey, and more. Bethlehem even has a big outdoor ice rink in winter.

Parks and zoo

See also: Lehigh Parkway, Lehigh Valley Zoo, and Trexler Nature Preserve

The Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville is a small zoo that is open all year. The valley also has many public parks, like the big Lehigh Parkway along the Lehigh River in Allentown and the Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville.

Transportation

See also: Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport, and Braden Airpark

The Lehigh Valley's main airport is Lehigh Valley International Airport, located about 7 miles from Allentown. This airport handles many travelers each year. There is also a smaller airport called Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport for private planes.

See also: LANta and Trans-Bridge Lines

The Lehigh Valley has bus services run by LANta. In nearby New Jersey, NJ Transit provides bus service. There are also many buses that go to big cities like New York City and Philadelphia.

See also: Lehigh Line (Norfolk Southern) and Lehigh Valley Railroad

The Lehigh Valley has many trains that carry goods, with Norfolk Southern Railway being the biggest company.

Passenger train service is available in nearby towns, and there are plans to bring it back to the Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley can be reached using several big highways:

• Interstate 476 goes from the south to the north.
• Interstate 78 runs east to west through the southern part of the Valley.
• Pennsylvania Route 33 goes north to south.
• U.S. Route 22 runs through the middle of the Valley.

Other important roads include Cedar Crest Boulevard, Lehigh Street, Pennsylvania Route 145, and Tilghman Street.

Telecommunications

Main article: Area codes 610, 484, and 835

The Lehigh Valley used to have only one area code, 215, starting in 1947. As more people moved there, a new area code, 610, was added in 1994. Later, in 1999, another area code, 484, was added too. Most recently, area code 835 started being used on September 2, 2022.

Wine

The Lehigh Valley AVA became an official American Viticultural Area in March 2008. It includes 230 acres of vineyards with many types of grapes, such as Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid varieties[/w/5]. One vineyard, Blue Mountain Vineyards in New Tripoli, covers more than 50 acres and has received awards from around the world. About 15 to 20% of all wine made in Pennsylvania comes from grapes grown in the Lehigh Valley AVA.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from the Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley has been home to many famous people over the years. Some well-known individuals include Mario Andretti, a former race car driver, and Michael Andretti, a racing team owner. Saquon Barkley is a professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles. Other notable figures include Sabrina Carpenter, a singer and actress, and Dwayne Johnson, known as "The Rock," who is an actor and former wrestler. The area has also produced successful athletes like Olympic gymnast Kristen Maloney and track cyclist Marty Nothstein, as well as authors and entertainers who have made their mark in various fields.