Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ · Metro Area

873,603Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 4 counties (3 central, 1 outlying), part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg, PA-NJ combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $84,587
Median home value: $300,800
Land area: 1,453 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Lehigh County, PA	Central	378,792	$80,079	$300,400
Northampton County, PA	Central	318,580	$89,184	$308,600
Warren County, NJ	Central	110,849	$100,869	$346,500
Carbon County, PA	Outlying	65,382	$67,554	$211,400

Largest cities and towns

173 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Allentown, PA	City	125,976	$55,494
Bethlehem, PA	City	77,956	$68,879
Lower Macungie, PA	—	32,727	$125,230
Easton, PA	City	29,739	$69,348
Whitehall, PA	—	29,317	$75,658
Upper Macungie, PA	—	27,850	$120,798
Bethlehem (Township), PA	—	26,237	$119,050
Palmer, PA	—	22,424	$116,014
South Whitehall, PA	—	21,390	$102,872
Upper Saucon, PA	—	17,484	$145,764
Fullerton, PA	CDP	16,724	$69,317
Hanover, PA	—	16,584	$61,293
Forks, PA	—	16,382	$110,190
North Whitehall, PA	—	15,822	$110,361
Phillipsburg, NJ	Town	15,299	$68,324
Salisbury, PA	—	13,677	$101,299
Emmaus, PA	Borough	11,889	$83,917
Lower Saucon, PA	—	11,089	$124,892
Lehigh, PA	—	10,780	$89,741
Northampton, PA	Borough	10,400	$90,762
Penn Forest, PA	—	10,157	$67,045
Hackettstown, NJ	Town	10,140	$93,083
Moore, PA	—	9,364	$102,789
Lopatcong, NJ	—	9,321	$91,114
Bushkill, PA	—	8,623	$120,522

Also in the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg, PA-NJ combined area

East Stroudsburg, PA · micro · 167,515

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Unemployment

5.4%

College Educated

33.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$84,587

Mean Household Income

$111,676

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.5%

Female

50.5%

Population Split

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German21.4%

Irish11.9%

Italian10.7%

English6.5%

Polish4.2%

Mexican1.4%

French1.1%

Scottish1.0%

African0.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

11.0%Foreign Born

89.0%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized57.8%

Non-Citizen42.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later35.4%

Before 201064.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

361,874

Median Rent

$1,365/mo

Median Home Value

$300,800

Median Year Built

1970

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

198,584

College Enrollment

21.4%

High School

22.4%

College Educated

33.5%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

27.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

74.2%

Public Transit

1.2%

Work From Home

13.7%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.5%

18-34 Years

21.4%

35-64 Years

38.8%

65+ Years

19.3%

Population Composition

Under 1820.5%

18-3421.4%

35-6438.8%

65+19.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.1%

Single Parent

6.0%

Living Alone

26.9%

Avg Size

2.50

Household Types

Married Couples49.1%

Single Parent6.0%

Living Alone26.9%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$44,264

SNAP Usage

12.5%

Health Insurance

94.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.3%

$25k - $50k16.7%

$50k - $100k28.5%

$100k+42.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

13.0%

Retail Trade

11.5%

Education & Health Care

26.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.5%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.6%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

100.0

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

139.0

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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