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Allentown, PA

Frequently asked questions

Allentown, PA

Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the third-most populous city in Pennsylvania with a population of 125,845 as of the 2020 census and the most populous city in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which had a population of 861,899 and was the 68th-most populous metropolitan area in the nation as of 2020.

Founded in 1762, Allentown is located on the Lehigh River, a 109-mile-long (175 km) tributary of the Delaware River. It is the largest of three adjacent cities, including Bethlehem and Easton in Lehigh and Northampton counties, in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Allentown is located 48 miles (77 km) north of Philadelphia and 78 miles (126 km) west of New York City.

Allentown's geographic boundaries include a total area of 18.0 square miles (46.6 km²). Of this, 17.8 square miles (46.1 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) is water, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Bodies of water include Jordan Creek and its tributary, Little Lehigh Creek, which join within the city limits and empty into the Lehigh River. Other bodies of water in Allentown include Lake Muhlenberg in Cedar Creek Parkway and a pond in Trexler Park.

Allentown is located in the Lehigh Valley, an eastern Pennsylvania geographic valley located between two Appalachian mountain ridges, Blue Mountain, which varies from 1,000 feet (300 m) to 1,600 feet (490 m) in height about 17 miles (27 km) north of the city, and South Mountain, a ridge of 500 feet (150 m) to 1,000 feet (300 m) in height that borders Allentown's southern edge. It includes both Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The Lehigh Valley's adjacent counties include Carbon and Monroe counties to its north, Bucks County to its southeast, Montgomery County to its south, Berks and Schuylkill counties to its west, and Warren County, New Jersey to its east.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, located on Cedar Crest Boulevard and part of Lehigh Valley Health Network, is Allentown and Lehigh Valley's largest hospital and the third-largest hospital in Pennsylvania with 877 beds and 46 operating rooms. It is also a Level 1 trauma center. St. Luke's University Health Network, Sacred Heart Hospital, and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network also provide hospital and rehabilitation services. In 2010, Allentown State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Allentown, was closed as part of a statewide closing of psychiatric hospitals by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Health and wellness are paramount in Allentown, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Lehigh Valley Health Network is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Allentown Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Steel Fitness Premier, Orangetheory Gym, and Valley Wellness Center. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Allentown, such as the Main Trexler Park Loop and Rose Gardens Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Allentown, PA are PPL Center, America On Wheels Museum, Allentown Art Museum, and Da Vinci Science Center.

Population: 124,880 (2023). ZIP codes: 18101, 18102, 18103, 18104, 18105, 18106, 18109, 18175, and 18195. Area codes: 610, 484. Elevation: 338 ft (103 m). Area: 18.12 square miles (46.92 km²).

FAQs

How expensive is Allentown, PA?

Allentown is ranked 59 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Allentown is 106.2% of the national average. The median household income in Allentown is $47,703, which is 29% less than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $28,506, which is 27% less than that of the state. The average rent in Allentown (located in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton -NJ Metro) metro area for a 2-bed home is $1,818, which is 23% more than the average rent across the US. The median home price in Allentown is $299,900 with a median price per sqft of $160.

Is Allentown, PA a good place to live?

Allentown is a city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the eastern United States. It’s part of the Lehigh Valley, a geographic area known for its fertile soil, rolling hills, and meandering Lehigh River. The region also has two other large cities, Bethlehem and Easton. Allentown is a dynamic and welcoming city that offers its residents a high quality of life. With its rich history, thriving arts scene, and diverse economy, Allentown has a balanced list of advantages as a place to live in Pennsylvania.

Why is Allentown, PA so famous?

Allentown holds historical significance as the location where the Liberty Bell, then known as the State House Bell, was successfully hidden for nine months by American patriots to avoid its capture by the British Army after the fall of Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. After George Washington's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine in Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia was left defenseless, and American patriots began preparing for what they saw as an imminent British attack on the city. Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council ordered that 11 bells, including the State House Bell, now known as the Liberty Bell, and ten other bells from Philadelphia's Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, be taken down and moved out of Philadelphia to protect them from the British Army, which would melt the bells down to cast into munitions.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Allentown

Lehigh Valley Health Network 

Allentown Parks and Recreation Department

Steel Fitness Premier

Orangetheory Gym 

Valley Wellness Center

Main Trexler Park Loop 

Rose Gardens Loop

PPL Center

America On Wheels Museum

Allentown Art Museum

Da Vinci Science Center

Flyhomes

EZ Home Search

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