Editing Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

{{Short description|County in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{distinguish|Lehigh Valley}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Lehigh County
 | state                = Pennsylvania
 | ex image             = 2011 - Old Lehigh County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image size        = 275px
 | ex image cap         = [[Old Lehigh County Courthouse]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], built between 1814 and 1819
 | flag                 = Flag of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.png
 | flag size            = 100px
 | seal                 = Seal of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.png
 | founded date         = March 6
 | founded year         = 1812
 | seat wl              = Allentown
 | largest city wl      = Allentown
 | named for            = [[Lehigh River]]
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 348
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 345
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 3.1 
 | area percentage      = 0.9%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 374,557
 | density_sq_mi        = 1046
 | web                  = https://www.lehighcounty.org/
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | district             = 7th
}}

'''Lehigh County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|h|aɪ}}; [[Pennsylvania Dutch language|Pennsylvania Dutch]]: ''Lechaa Kaundi'') is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county's population was 374,557.<ref name="auto2">[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lehighcountypennsylvania Lehigh County] at U.S. Census Quick Facts</ref> Its county seat is [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], the state's third-largest city after [[Philadelphia]] and [[Pittsburgh]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> 

Along with [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]] to its east, the two counties combine to form the [[Lehigh Valley]] region of eastern Pennsylvania, the [[Pennsylvania metropolitan areas|third-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania]] with a population of 861,889 as of 2020. Lehigh County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Pennsylvania and the more highly populated of the two counties.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2021/08/the-lehigh-valley-is-growing-census-numbers-show-these-communities-got-the-biggest-boost.html "The Lehigh Valley is growing, census numbers show,"] Lehigh Valley Live, August 23, 2021</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kraus|first1=Scott|title=Migration driving Lehigh Valley's recent population growth|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-immigration-20160402-story.html|access-date=May 17, 2017|work=The Morning Call|date=April 2, 2016}}</ref> Both counties are part of the Philadelphia television market, the [[List of television stations in North America by media market|fourth-largest]] television market in the nation.

The county is named for the [[Lehigh River]], a {{convert|109|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} tributary of the [[Delaware River]], which flows through Lehigh County. During the [[Industrial Revolution in the United States|Industrial Revolution]], the Lehigh River served a vital role in the nation's development by offering one of the first transportation and trading routes for [[mining]] products, including [[anthracite]], [[iron]], [[manganese]], [[limestone]], and ultimately manufactured [[steel|steel products]].

Lehigh County falls geographically between two Pennsylvania [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian]] mountain ridges, [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] to the county's north and [[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] to its south. Lehigh County borders [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] to its south, [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]] to its southeast, Northampton County to its east, [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]] to its north, [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]] to its northwest, and [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]] to its southwest. 

The county is located {{convert|64|mi|km}} northwest of Philadelphia and {{convert|93|mi|km}} west of [[New York City]].

==History==
[[File:Shelter House Emmaus PA 2.JPG|thumb|[[Shelter House]] in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]], constructed in 1734 by [[Pennsylvania Dutch|Pennsylvania German]] settlers, is believed to be the oldest continuously occupied building structure in both Lehigh County and the [[Lehigh Valley]] and among the oldest still-standing building structures in [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="auto">[https://shelterhouseemmaus.org/about/ Shelter House official website], ''Shelterhouseemmaus.org'', retrieved May 4, 2022</ref><ref name="auto1">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20211018165141/http://lehighvalleymarketplace.com/emmaus/ "Emmaus"]}} at Lehigh Valley Marketplace</ref>]]
[[File:2021 - Monument - Looking West - Allentown PA.jpg|thumb|The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, erected in 1899 at 7th and [[Hamilton Street|Hamilton]] streets in [[Center City Allentown]], honors men from Allentown and its suburbs killed in their volunteer service in the [[47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]] and other [[Union Army]] units during the [[American Civil War]].]]
===Settlement and founding===
Lehigh County was first settled around 1730 and was formed in 1812 when [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]] was divided into two counties. The county is named after the [[Lehigh River]], a {{convert|109|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} river that runs through the county and whose name is derived from the [[Lenape|Lenape Indian]] term Lechauweki or Lechauwekink, meaning "where there are forks."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Roberts |first=Charles R. |title=Place Names of Lehigh County and Their Origin |journal=Proceedings: Lehigh County Historical Society |year=1936 |publisher=Lehigh County Historical Society}}</ref> [[Shelter House]], constructed in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] in 1734 by [[Pennsylvania Dutch|Pennsylvania German]] settlers, is the oldest continuously occupied structure in both Lehigh County and [[Lehigh Valley]] and among the oldest still-standing building structures in the U.S. state of [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>

===American Revolution===
{{See also|Liberty Bell}}
{{Further|Pennsylvania in the American Revolution}}
Some of the first resistance to [[British colonization of the Americas|British colonialism]], which led ultimately to the [[American Revolutionary War]], began in present-day Lehigh County. On December 21, 1774, [[Patriot (American Revolution)|patriots]] in the area formed one of the [[Thirteen Colonies|colonies]]' first [[Committee of safety (American Revolution)|Committee of Observations]]. Following the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], patriot militas pressured [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Tories]] out of Allentown and the surrounding area, and the [[Crown colony|colonial government]] in the area began to break down.

After [[George Washington|Washington]] and the [[Continental Army]] were defeated at the [[Battle of Brandywine]] on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of [[Philadelphia]] was left defenseless and [[Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council]] ordered that eleven Philadelphia bells, including the [[Liberty Bell]] (then known as the State House Bell), be taken down and moved to present day Allentown (then called Northampton Towne) and hidden in the basement of [[High German Evangelical Reformed Church|Zion Reformed Church]] on present day West [[Hamilton Street]] to protect them from being melted down by the [[British Army during the American Revolutionary War|British Army]] for use as munitions.

===Industrial Revolution===
The opening of the [[Lehigh Canal]] beginning in 1827 transformed [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] and Lehigh County from a rural agricultural area dominated by [[German language|German]]-speaking people into an urbanized industrialized area and expanded the city's commercial and industrial capacity greatly. With this, Lehigh County underwent significant [[Industrialisation|industrialization]], ultimately becoming a major 20th century center for heavy industry and manufacturing and one of several hubs for the [[Industrial Revolution in the United States|Industrial Revolution]].

===American Civil War===
{{See also|47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment|Pennsylvania in the American Civil War}}
Following the [[Union Army]]'s defeat at the [[Battle of Fort Sumter]] and [[President Lincoln's 75,000 volunteers|Lincoln's April 15, 1861, proclamation]] calling for state militia to provide 75,000 volunteer troops to defend the nation's capital of [[Washington, D.C.]], Allentown deployed the Allen Infantry, also known as the Allen Guards and composed of volunteers from Allentown and its surrounding suburbs. The unit mustered in for duty on April 18, 1861. As the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] progressed, multiple Union Army units were drawn from Lehigh County, including roughly seventy percent of the [[47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]].

On October 19, 1899, a monument in honor of the Lehigh County men killed in their volunteer service to preservation of the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]], the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was erected at Seventh and [[Hamilton Street|Hamilton]] streets in [[Center City Allentown]], where it still stands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/eagles-to-be-returned-to-the-top-of-soldiers-and-sailors-monument-in-allentown/article_26137534-e351-11eb-93fd-f36f1258f5b5.html|title=Eagles to be returned to the top of Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Allentown|first=Jaccii|last=Farris|website=Wfmz.com|access-date=September 11, 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:2017 - Hamilton Street Christmas Skyline - Allentown PA.jpg|thumb|The city skyline of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], Lehigh County's largest city, at Christmas 2017]]
[[File:Allentown viewed from Egypt.jpg|thumb|[[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]], part of the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian Mountain]] range in Lehigh County, with [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] in the foreground in December 2010]]
[[Image:Watercourse.jpg|thumb|[[Lehigh River]], a {{convert|109|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[tributary]] of the [[Delaware River]], in Lehigh County near [[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]] in June 2007]]
Lehigh County has a total area of {{convert|348|sqmi}}, {{convert|345|sqmi}} of which is land and {{convert|3.1|sqmi}} (0.9%) of which is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 9, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>
===Topography===
{{See also|Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)}}
Lehigh County borders two [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian]] mountain ridges. To the north, the county borders [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]], which has an altitude of {{convert|1300|to|1604|ft}}. To the south, it is bordered by [[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]], which has an altitude of {{convert|700|to|1100|ft}} and cuts through the southern portions of both Lehigh and Northampton counties. The Lehigh County's highest point is near [[Germansville, Pennsylvania|Germansville]] at [[Bake Oven Knob]], a mass of [[Tuscarora Sandstone|Tuscarora]] [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomeratic]] rocks that rise about {{convert|100|ft}} above the main Blue Mountain ridge in northwestern [[Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Heidelberg Township]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Miller |first=Benjamin LeRoy |title=Lehigh County Pennsylvania: Geology and Geography | year=1941 |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania}}</ref>

Lehigh County is part of the [[Delaware River]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]]. Most of the county is drained by the [[Lehigh River]] and its tributaries, though the [[Schuylkill River]] also drains regions in the county's south through [[Perkiomen Creek]] and in the county's northwest through [[Maiden Creek]].

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]] (north)
*[[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]] (northeast)
*[[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]] (southeast)
*[[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] (south) 
*[[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]] (west)
*[[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]] (northwest)

===Climate===
{{See also|Climate of Allentown, Pennsylvania}}
Lehigh County's climate falls in the [[humid continental climate]] zone. The variety is hot-summer (''Dfa'') except in the county's higher elevation areas, where it is warm-summer (''Dfb''). Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Precipitation is almost uniformly distributed throughout the year.

In [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], January lows average {{convert|-6|C}} and highs average {{convert|1.3|C}}. The lowest officially recorded temperature was {{convert|-26.7|C}} in 1912. July lows average {{convert|17.6|C}} and highs average {{convert|29.2|C}} with an average relative humidity of 82%. The highest temperature on record was {{convert|40.6|C}} in 1966. Early fall and mid-winter are generally driest with October being the driest month with only 74.7&nbsp;mm of average precipitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/normrain.html |title=Normal Monthly Precipitation, Inches |access-date=November 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919144341/http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/normrain.html |archive-date=September 19, 2006 }}</ref>

Snowfall is variable with some winters bringing light snow and others bringing numerous significant snowstorms. Average snowfall is {{convert|82.3|cm|in}} per year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/snowfall.html |title=Snowfall – Average Total In Inches |access-date=November 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619061102/http://www.governor.nh.gov/media/news/2011/061511-hb218.htm |archive-date=June 19, 2011 }}</ref> with the months of January and February receiving the most now with just over {{convert|22.86|cm|in}} in each of these months. Rainfall is generally spread throughout the year with eight to twelve wet days per month,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/daysrain.html |title=Average Days of Precipitation, .01&nbsp;cm or more |access-date=November 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103025303/http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/daysrain.html |archive-date=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> at an average annual rate of {{convert|110.54|cm|in}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/normrain.html |title=Average Monthly Precipitation |access-date=November 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919144341/http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/normrain.html |archive-date=September 19, 2006}}</ref> The [[hardiness zone]] in the majority of the county has increased from 6b to 7a. 6b still exists in some northern and higher areas.<ref>[https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/]</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Allentown, Pennsylvania ([[Lehigh Valley International Airport]]) 1991-2020 normals (Records x-2021)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 72
|Feb record high F = 81
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 100
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 93
|Nov record high F = 81
|Dec record high F = 72
|year record high F = 105
|Jan high F = 38.4
|Feb high F = 41.6
|Mar high F = 50.8
|Apr high F = 63.4
|May high F = 73.5
|Jun high F = 81.9
|Jul high F = 86.4
|Aug high F = 84.3
|Sep high F = 77.4
|Oct high F = 65.5
|Nov high F = 53.8
|Dec high F = 43.1
|year high F= 63.3
|Jan mean F = 30.1
|Feb mean F = 32.4
|Mar mean F = 40.7
|Apr mean F = 51.8
|May mean F = 62.0
|Jun mean F = 70.9
|Jul mean F = 75.6
|Aug mean F = 73.6
|Sep mean F = 66.3
|Oct mean F = 54.6
|Nov mean F = 43.9
|Dec mean F = 35.0
|year mean F= 53.1
|Jan low F = 21.8
|Feb low F = 23.2
|Mar low F = 30.5
|Apr low F = 40.3
|May low F = 50.6
|Jun low F = 59.9
|Jul low F = 64.7
|Aug low F = 62.8
|Sep low F = 55.2
|Oct low F = 43.8
|Nov low F = 34.1
|Dec low F = 26.8
|year low F= 42.8
|Jan record low F = -15
|Feb record low F = -12
|Mar record low F = -5
|Apr record low F = 12
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 39
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 41
|Sep record low F = 30
|Oct record low F = 21
|Nov record low F = 3
|Dec record low F = -8
|year record low F= -15
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.30
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.77
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.63
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.67
|May precipitation inch = 3.65
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.40
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.30
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.56
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.84
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.14
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.24
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.86
|year precipitation inch= 47.36
|Jan snow inch = 9.8
|Feb snow inch = 10.8
|Mar snow inch = 6.3
|Apr snow inch = 0.5
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 0.9
|Dec snow inch = 4.6
|year snow inch= 33.1
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 10
|Mar precipitation days = 11
|Apr precipitation days = 12
|May precipitation days = 12
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 11
|Aug precipitation days = 10
|Sep precipitation days = 10
|Oct precipitation days = 10
|Nov precipitation days = 9
|Dec precipitation days = 12
|year precipitation days= 129
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5
|Feb snow days = 4
|Mar snow days = 3
|Apr snow days = 0
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 1
|Dec snow days = 3
|year snow days = 16
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
  |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=phi
  |title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
  |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
  |access-date = May 11, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 18895
|1830= 22256
|1840= 25787
|1850= 32479
|1860= 43753
|1870= 56796
|1880= 65969
|1890= 76631
|1900= 93893
|1910= 118832
|1920= 148101
|1930= 172893
|1940= 177533
|1950= 198207
|1960= 227536
|1970= 255304
|1980= 272349
|1990= 291130
|2000= 312090
|2010= 349497
|2020= 374557
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/pa190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 24, 1995|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42077.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 17, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606194907/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42077.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Lehigh County, Pennsylvania – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lehigh County, Pennsylvania |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US42077&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lehigh County, Pennsylvania |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US42077&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lehigh County, Pennsylvania |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US42077&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|259,811
|250,245
|style='background: #ffffe6; |227,994
|83.25%
|71.60%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |60.87%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|9,798
|17,230
|style='background: #ffffe6; |22,950
|3.14%
|4.93%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.13%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|317
|442
|style='background: #ffffe6; |337
|0.10%
|0.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|6,488
|10,090
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13,725
|2.08%
|2.89%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.66%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|82
|65
|style='background: #ffffe6; |91
|0.03%
|0.02%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|331
|555
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,779
|0.11%
|0.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.47%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|3,382
|5,255
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10,700
|1.08%
|1.50%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.86%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|31,881
|65,615
|style='background: #ffffe6; |96,981
|10.22%
|18.77%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25.89%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''312,090'''
|'''349,497'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''374,557'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county's population was 374,557.<ref name="auto2"/> The county's population growth of 7.2% since 2010 is among the fastest in the state.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2021/08/the-lehigh-valley-is-growing-census-numbers-show-these-communities-got-the-biggest-boost.html "The Lehigh Valley is growing, census numbers show"] Lehigh Valley Live, August 23, 2021</ref> The racial makeup of the county, as of the 2020 census, was 60.8% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 26% [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]], 6.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 3.66% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 3.33% from [[Race (United States Census)|other or mixed races]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], and 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]].<ref>{{Cite web|title =P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Lehigh%20County,%20Pennsylvania&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=Data.census.gov}}</ref>

==Politics and government==
As of March 4, 2024, there were 243,427 registered voters in Lehigh County:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/currentvotestats.xls |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/2021%20Primary%20VR%20Stats.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|format=PDF|title=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 2021 Voter Registration Statistics - Official Primary Voting Analysis|date=May 18, 2021|website=Dos.pa.gov|access-date=November 7, 2022}}</ref>

*[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]: 111,646 (45.86%)
*[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]: 84,937 (34.89%)
* No affiliation: 38,901 (15.98)
* Other parties: 7,943 (3.27%)

Lehigh County leans Democratic, but is still politically competitive. Lehigh County and neighboring [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]] are part of [[Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district|Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional district]]. The 7th Congressional district is a contentious swing district with neither Republicans nor Democrats winning the district consistently. Voters elected Republican [[Charlie Dent]] in 2004, 2006, and 2008 and, previously, Republican [[Pat Toomey]] in 1998, 2000, and 2002. In 2004, the county narrowly voted for [[John Kerry]] over [[George W. Bush]] for [[President of the United States|President]]. In 2008, all statewide Democratic candidates won the county with significant leads and, [[2008 United States presidential election|in the presidential election]], [[Barack Obama]] won the county, 57.1% to 41.5%, over [[John McCain]]. In the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]], Obama again carried the county but by a narrower margin, 53.17% to 45.52%.<ref>{{cite news | title = Election Results 2008: President Map | newspaper = [[New York Times]] | date = November 21, 2008 | url =http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/map.html | access-date = November 23, 2008}}</ref>
{{PresHead|place=Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|91,207|96,317|2,844|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|84,418|98,498|2,739|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|73,690|81,324|7,719|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|66,874|78,283|2,067|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|63,382|87,089|2,002|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|70,160|73,940|991|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|55,492|56,667|4,148|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|45,103|48,568|12,439|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|42,631|46,711|25,494|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|56,363|42,801|943|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|61,799|41,089|649|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|50,782|34,827|10,376|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|46,895|46,620|1,793|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|58,023|33,325|1,654|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|47,255|44,033|4,120|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|32,245|60,377|471|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|54,278|39,640|249|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|50,564|29,067|251|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|45,143|33,033|303|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|32,202|26,826|994|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|31,584|29,134|315|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|29,584|33,007|359|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|25,841|35,325|1,455|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|21,169|21,939|1,985|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|40,291|13,463|434|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|20,826|10,415|4,043|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|18,032|10,863|1,415|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|10,588|11,920|1,194|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,722|10,834|8,755|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|11,593|11,285|879|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|11,826|10,138|394|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|9,775|10,438|304|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|9,507|9,369|567|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|7,089|9,699|231|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|6,977|8,927|190|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|6,357|8,095|88|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|6,144|8,292|23|Pennsylvania}}
|}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/pennsylvania-senate-results}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Democratic|87,147|94,875|5,562|Pennsylvania}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}
===State House of Representatives===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! District<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=Lehigh|title=Find Your Legislator|publisher=Legislativate Data Processing Center|website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.|language=en|access-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> !! Representative !! Party
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 22|22]] || [[Joshua Siegel (politician)|Joshua Siegel]] || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 131|131]] || [[Milou Mackenzie]] || [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 132|132]] || [[Michael Schlossberg|Michael H. Schlossberg]] || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 133|133]] || [[Jeanne McNeill]] || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 134|134]] || [[Peter Schweyer]] || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 183|183]] || [[Zach Mako]] || [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 187|187]] || [[Gary Day (politician)|Gary Day]] || [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|}

===State Senate===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! District<ref name=":0" /> !! Representative !! Party
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 14|14]] || [[Nick Miller (politician)|Nick Miller]] || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 16|16]] || [[Jarrett Coleman]] || [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 18|18]] || [[Lisa Boscola]] || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|}

===U.S. House of Representatives===
* [[Ryan Mackenzie]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district]]

==Education==
[[File:Baum School of Art, Allentown PA.jpg|right|thumb|[[Baum School of Art]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] in January 2009]]
[[File:Cedar Crest College (6).JPG|thumb|[[Cedar Crest College]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] in March 2014]]
[[File:Muhlenberg College 04.JPG|thumb|[[Muhlenberg College]] in Allentown in March 2014]]
[[File:William Allen High School, Allentown PA.jpg|thumb|[[William Allen High School|Allen High School]], one of Allentown's two large public high schools, in July 2008]]
[[File:Salisbury High School, LehighCo PA.JPG|thumb|[[Salisbury High School (Pennsylvania)|Salisbury High School]] in [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]] in June 2015]]
===Four-year colleges and universities===
*[[Cedar Crest College]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]
*[[DeSales University]] in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]
*[[Muhlenberg College]] in Allentown
*[[Penn State Lehigh Valley]] in Center Valley

===Two-year colleges and technical institutes===
*[[Baum School of Art]] in Allentown
*[[Lehigh Carbon Community College]] in [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]] (main campus), and Donley Center in Allentown (satellite campus)
*[[Lincoln Tech]] in Allentown

===Public school districts===
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42077_lehigh/DC20SD_C42077.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lehigh County, PA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-07-23}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42077_lehigh/DC20SD_C42077_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
*[[Allentown School District]]
**[[William Allen High School]] in Allentown
**[[Louis E. Dieruff High School]] in Allentown
**Francis D. Raub Middle School in Allentown
**Harrison-Morton Middle School in Allentown
**South Mountain Middle School in Allentown
**Trexler Middle School in Allentown
*[[Bethlehem Area School District]]
*[[Catasauqua Area School District]]
**[[Catasauqua High School]] in [[Northampton, Pennsylvania|Northampton]]
**Catasauqua Middle School in [[Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|Catasauqua]]
*[[East Penn School District]]
**[[Emmaus High School]] in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]
**Eyer Middle School in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]
**Lower Macungie Middle School in Macungie
*[[Northern Lehigh School District]]
**[[Northern Lehigh High School]] in [[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]]
**Northern Lehigh Middle School in Slatington
*[[Northwestern Lehigh School District]]
**Northwestern Lehigh High School in [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]]
**Northwestern Lehigh Middle School in New Tripoli
*[[Parkland School District]]
**[[Parkland High School (Pennsylvania)|Parkland High School]] in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]]
**Orefield Middle School in [[Orefield, Pennsylvania|Orefield]]
**Springhouse Middle School in Allentown
*[[Salisbury Township School District]]
**[[Salisbury High School (Pennsylvania)|Salisbury High School]] in [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]]
**Salisbury Middle School in Allentown 
*[[Southern Lehigh School District]]
**[[Southern Lehigh High School]] in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]
**Southern Lehigh Middle School in Center Valley
*[[Whitehall-Coplay School District]]
**[[Whitehall High School (Pennsylvania)|Whitehall High School]] in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]]
**Whitehall-Coplay Middle School in Whitehall Township

===Public charter schools===
*[[Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School]] in Allentown 
*[[Roberto Clemente Charter School]] in Allentown 
*Seven Generations Charter School in Emmaus

===Private high schools===
*[[Allentown Central Catholic High School]] in Allentown
*[[Salem Christian School]] in Macungie

===Vocational high school===
*[[Lehigh Career and Technical Institute]] in Schnecksville

===Public libraries===
*[[Allentown Public Library]] in Allentown

==Transportation and infrastructure==
===Air===
{{See also|Lehigh Valley International Airport|Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport}}
[[File:ABE terminal (2).JPG|thumb|[[Lehigh Valley International Airport]], [[Pennsylvania]]'s fourth-busiest airport, in [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]] in Lehigh County]]
Lehigh County's primary commercial airport is [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] {{Airport codes|ABE|KABE}}, located in [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]] in the county. The county is also served by [[Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport]], a two-runway general aviation facility located off [[Lehigh Street]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] used predominantly by private aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lvia.org/info_booth/news_room/030206.html |title=Queen City Airport Designated General Aviation Airport of the Year by the Federal Administration Eastern Region |access-date=June 22, 2007 |publisher=Lehigh Valley International Airport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612123440/http://www.lvia.org/info_booth/news_room/030206.html |archive-date=June 12, 2007 }}</ref>

===Bus===
{{See also|LANta}}
Public bus service in Lehigh County is available through [[LANta]]. Several private bus lines, including [[Trans-Bridge Lines]], provide bus service from Allentown to [[New York City]]'s [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]], [[Philadelphia]]'s [[Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal|Greyhound Terminal]] and [[30th Street Station]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]]'s [[Atlantic City Bus Terminal|Bus Terminal]], and other regional locations.

===Major highways===
[[File:2022-09-23 11 09 58 View east along Interstate 78 and south along Pennsylvania State Route 309 from the overpass for Rock Road in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|The merger of [[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|I-78]] East and [[Pennsylvania Route 309|PA Route 309]] South in Lehigh County in September 2022]] 
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*{{jct|state=PA|I|78}}
*{{jct|state=PA|I|476|PANE}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US|22}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US|222}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|29}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|100}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|143}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|145}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|222}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|309}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|329}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|378}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|863}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|873}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|987}}
*[[Cedar Crest Boulevard]]
*[[Lehigh Street]]
*[[State Route 1002 (Lehigh County, Pennsylvania)|Tilghman Street]]
{{div col end}}

==Media==
{{Main|Media in the Lehigh Valley}}
{{See also|List of films shot in the Lehigh Valley}}
===Newspapers===
''[[The Morning Call]]'' (in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]), ''[[The Express-Times]]'' (in [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]]), and ''[[Times News (Pennsylvania)|The Times News]]'' (in [[Lehighton, Pennsylvania|Lehighton]]) each cover Lehigh County.

===Radio===
Lehigh County-area radio stations include [[WAEB (AM)|WAEB-AM]] in Allentown ([[talk radio|talk and news]]), [[WAEB-FM|B104]] in Allentown ([[contemporary hit radio|contemporary hits]]), [[WZZO]] in Bethlehem ([[classic rock]]), [[WHOL]] in Allentown ([[rhythmic contemporary]]), and others. Some major [[Media in New York City#Radio|New York City]] stations and every major [[Media of Philadelphia|Philadelphia]] station are received in the county.

===Television===
Lehigh County is part of the [[Philadelphia]] broadcast media market, the nation's [[List of United States television markets|fourth-largest media market]]. Numerous [[New York City]] radio and television stations are also carried in the county. Three television stations are based in the county, [[WBPH-TV|WBPH-TV Channel 60]], [[WLVT-TV|WLVT Channel 39]] (the [[Lehigh Valley]]'s [[PBS]] affiliate), and [[WFMZ-TV|WFMZ Channel 69]] (an independent television station).

The four major Philadelphia-based network stations serving Lehigh County are [[KYW-TV]] (the [[CBS]] affiliate), [[WCAU]] (the [[NBC]] affiliate), [[WPVI-TV|WPVI]] (the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate), and [[WTXF-TV|WTXF]] (the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate). The four major [[New York City]]-based network stations serving Lehigh County are [[WABC-TV|WABC]] (the ABC affiliate), [[WCBS-TV]] (the CBS affiliate), [[WNBC]] (the NBC affiliate), and [[WNYW]] (the Fox affiliate). The four major [[Wyoming Valley|Scranton-Wilkes-Barre]]-based network stations serving Lehigh County are [[WNEP-TV]] (the ABC affiliate), [[WBRE-TV]] (the NBC affiliate), [[WYOU]] (the CBS affiliate), and [[WOLF-TV]] (the Fox affiliate).

===Telecommunications===
{{Main|Area codes 610, 484, and 835}}
From 1947 until 1994, Lehigh County was served exclusively by the [[Area codes 215, 267, and 445|215]] [[Telephone numbering plan|area code]]. With the county's growing population, [[Area codes 610, 484, and 835|area code 610]] was also allocated to the county in 1994. Today, Lehigh County is covered largely by the 610 area code. An [[Overlay plan|overlay area code]], 484, was added to the 610 service area in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nationalnanpa.com/area_code_maps/display.html?pa |title=NANP-Overlay of 610 (Pennsylvania) Numbering Plan Area (NPA) with 484 NPA|website=Nanpa.com }}&nbsp;{{small|(359&nbsp;KB)}}</ref> A plan to introduce area code 835 as an additional overlay was rescinded in 2001. It has since been reintroduced and will begin use once 610 and 484 extensions are exhausted, possibly as early as September 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.puc.pa.gov/press-release/2022/puc-reminds-eastern-and-southeastern-pa-residents-of-upcoming-activation-of-835-area-code |title=PUC reminds eastern and southern pa residents of uocoming activation of '835' area code|website=Puc.pa.gov }}&nbsp;{{small|(20.8&nbsp;KB)}}</ref>
{{Allentown Radio}}
{{Philly TV}}

==Recreation==
{{see also|Culture of Allentown, Pennsylvania}}
[[File:Dorney Park Steel Force Thunderhawk.jpg|thumb|[[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]]'s [[Steel Force]] and [[Thunderhawk (Dorney Park)|Thunderhawk]] roller coasters in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]; Steel Force is the eighth-tallest steel roller coaster in the world with a first drop of {{convert|205|ft|m}} and a top speed of {{convert|75|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdb.com/id276.htm |title=Rollercoaster Database: Steel Force (Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom)|website=Rcdb.com |access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Cokepark allentown.jpg|thumb|[[Coca-Cola Park]] in Allentown, home of the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]], the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] affiliate of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]]]
[[Image:Lehigh Parkway.JPG|thumb|[[Little Lehigh Creek]] in Allentown's [[Lehigh Parkway]] in September 2012]]
[[File:XMAS AT LEHIGH COUNTY ZOO.jpg|thumb|Christmas lights at [[Lehigh Valley Zoo]] in [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]] in December 2020]]
===Amusement parks===
{{main|Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom}}
[[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]], one of the largest amusement and water parks on the U.S. East Coast, is located in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]] in the county. It is open May through the end of October.

===Fairs and festivals===
{{See also|Great Allentown Fair|Mayfair Festival of the Arts}}
The [[Great Allentown Fair]], one of the nation's largest and longest ongoing city fairs, is held annually at [[Allentown Fairgrounds]] on North 17th Street in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] the end of August and beginning of September. [[Mayfair Festival of the Arts]], an arts and festival fair, is held annually in May on the campus of [[Cedar Crest College]] in Allentown.

===Golf===
{{See also|Saucon Valley Country Club}}
Lehigh County is home to multiple golf courses, including Brookside Country Club in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]], Lehigh Country Club on [[Cedar Crest Boulevard]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], Olde Homestead Golf Club in [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]], [[Saucon Valley Country Club]] in [[Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Saucon Township]], Shepherd Hills Golf Club in [[Wescosville, Pennsylvania|Wescosville]], and Wedgewood Golf Course in [[Coopersburg, Pennsylvania|Coopersburg]].

===Museums and history===
The county has several museums, including [[Allentown Art Museum]], [[America on Wheels]], [[Da Vinci Science Center]], [[George Taylor House (Catasauqua, Pennsylvania)|George Taylor House]], [[Lehigh County Historical Society]] at [[Trout Hall]], [[Museum of Indian Culture]], [[The 1803 House]], and others.

===Parks and zoo===
{{See also|List of city parks and recreation facilities of Allentown, Pennsylvania}}
Lehigh County also has {{convert|25|acre|m2}} of public parks, including:

*[[Lehigh Parkway]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], is a {{convert|999|acre|km2}} city-owned park along [[Little Lehigh Creek]]. 
*[[Lock Ridge Park]] in [[Alburtis, Pennsylvania|Alburtis]], is a {{convert|59.2|acre|km2}} county-owned park along [[Swabia Creek]] that includes the [[Thomas Iron Company|Lock Ridge Furnace Museum]]. 
*[[Trexler Nature Preserve]] in [[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall Township]], is a {{convert|1108|acre|km2}} county-owned park along [[Jordan Creek (Pennsylvania)|Jordan Creek]], which includes the [[Lehigh Valley Zoo]].
*[[Whitehall Parkway]] in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]], is a {{convert|110|acre|km2}} township-owned park connected to the {{convert|9|mi|km}} [[Ironton Rail Trail]].

==Communities==
[[Image:2007 - Nineteenth Street Theatre District.jpg|thumb|Young people gather on 19th Street in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]'s West End in July 2007]]
[[File:Emmaus Theater 4th Street Lehigh Co PA.JPG|thumb|The historic Emmaus Theatre on South Fourth Street in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] in October 2012]]
[[File:Bear-creek-lodge.JPG|thumb|[[Bear Creek Mountain Resort]] in [[Longswamp Township, Pennsylvania|Longswamp Township]] in January 2012]]
[[File:George_Taylor_House.jpg|thumb|The [[George Taylor House (Catasauqua, Pennsylvania)|George Taylor House]] in [[Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|Catasauqua]], the former home of [[George Taylor (Pennsylvania politician)|George Taylor]], a [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father of the United States]] who signed the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]]] 
[[Image:Lynn Township farm.jpg|thumb|A farm in [[Lynn Township, Pennsylvania|Lynn Township]] in the northwest corner of Lehigh County in February 2008]]
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: [[List of cities in Pennsylvania|cities]], [[List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania|boroughs]], [[List of townships in Pennsylvania|townships]], and, in only one case, [[List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania#Towns|towns]]. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Lehigh County:

===Cities===
{{See also|List of Allentown neighborhoods}}
*[[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] (county seat)
*[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]] (mostly in [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]])

===Boroughs===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Alburtis, Pennsylvania|Alburtis]]
*[[Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|Catasauqua]]
*[[Coopersburg, Pennsylvania|Coopersburg]]
*[[Coplay, Pennsylvania|Coplay]]
*[[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]
*[[Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania|Fountain Hill]]
*[[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]
*[[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]]
*[[Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Heidelberg Township]]
*[[Lower Macungie Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Macungie Township]]
*[[Lower Milford Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Milford Township]]
*[[Lowhill Township, Pennsylvania|Lowhill Township]]
*[[Lynn Township, Pennsylvania|Lynn Township]]
*[[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall Township]]
*[[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]]
*[[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]]
*[[Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Macungie Township]]
*[[Upper Milford Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Milford Township]]
*[[Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Saucon Township]]
*[[Washington Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Washington Township]]
*[[Weisenberg Township, Pennsylvania|Weisenberg Township]]
*[[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
[[Census-designated place]]s are geographical areas designated by the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Ancient Oaks, Pennsylvania|Ancient Oaks]]
*[[Breinigsville, Pennsylvania|Breinigsville]]
*[[Cementon, Pennsylvania|Cementon]]
*[[Cetronia, Pennsylvania|Cetronia]]
*[[DeSales University, Pennsylvania|DeSales University]]
*[[Dorneyville, Pennsylvania|Dorneyville]]
*[[Egypt, Pennsylvania|Egypt]]
*[[Fullerton, Pennsylvania|Fullerton]]
*[[Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania|Hokendauqua]]
*[[Laurys Station, Pennsylvania|Laurys Station]]
*[[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]]
*[[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]]
*[[Slatedale, Pennsylvania|Slatedale]]
*[[Stiles, Pennsylvania|Stiles]]
*[[Trexlertown, Pennsylvania|Trexlertown]]
*[[Wescosville, Pennsylvania|Wescosville]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Balliettsville, Pennsylvania|Balliettsville]]
* [[Best Station, Pennsylvania|Best Station]]
* [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]
* [[Colesville, Pennsylvania|Colesville]]
* [[Eagle Point, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Eagle Point]]
* [[East Texas, Pennsylvania|East Texas]]
* [[Emerald, Pennsylvania|Emerald]]
* [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]]
* [[Friedensville, Pennsylvania|Friedensville]]
* [[Gauff Hill, Pennsylvania|Gauff Hill]]
* [[Germansville, Pennsylvania|Germansville]]
* [[Hensingersville, Pennsylvania|Hensingersville]]
* [[Hosensack, Pennsylvania|Hosensack]]
* [[Ironton, Pennsylvania|Ironton]]
* [[Jacksonville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Jacksonville]]
* [[Kuhnsville, Pennsylvania|Kuhnsville]]
* [[Lanark, Pennsylvania|Lanark]]
* [[Limeport, Pennsylvania|Limeport]]
* [[Locust Valley, Pennsylvania|Locust Valley]]
* [[Lynnport, Pennsylvania|Lynnport]]
* [[Mickleys, Pennsylvania|Mickleys]]
* [[Neffs, Pennsylvania|Neffs]]
* [[New Smithville, Pennsylvania|New Smithville]]
* [[Old Zionsville, Pennsylvania|Old Zionsville]]
* [[Orefield, Pennsylvania|Orefield]]
* [[Pleasant Corners, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Pleasant Corners]]
* [[Powder Valley, Pennsylvania|Powder Valley]]
* [[Scherersville, Pennsylvania|Scherersville]]
* [[Schoenersville, Pennsylvania|Schoenersville]]
* [[Shimerville, Pennsylvania|Shimerville]]
* [[Sigmund, Pennsylvania|Sigmund]]
* [[Summit Lawn, Pennsylvania|Summit Lawn]]
* [[Vera Cruz, Pennsylvania|Vera Cruz]]
* [[Walbert, Pennsylvania|Walbert]]
* [[Wanamakers, Pennsylvania|Wanamakers]]
* [[Werleys Corner, Pennsylvania|Werleys Corner]]
* [[West Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|West Catasauqua]]
* [[Zionsville, Pennsylvania|Zionsville]]
{{div col end}}

===Population ranking===
Lehigh County's largest cities, townships, boroughs, and other communities, based on the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2010.html |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |title=2010 U.S. Census website |access-date=July 10, 2016 }}</ref>

'''†''' ''county seat''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Rank
!City/Town/etc.
!Municipal type
!Population (2020 Census)

|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 1
| '''†''' '''[[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]'''
| City
| 125,845
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 2
| '''[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]''' (mostly in [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]])
| City
| 74,982

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 4
| '''[[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]'''
| Borough
| 11,652
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 5
| '''[[Ancient Oaks, Pennsylvania|Ancient Oaks]]'''
| CDP
| 6,995
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 6
| '''[[Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|Catasauqua]]'''
| Borough
| 6,518
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 7
| '''[[Wescosville, Pennsylvania|Wescosville]]'''
| CDP
| 6,039
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 8
| '''[[Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania|Fountain Hill]]'''
| Borough
| 4,878
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 9
| '''[[Dorneyville, Pennsylvania|Dorneyville]]'''
| CDP
| 4,406
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 10
| '''[[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]]'''
| Borough
| 4,232
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 11
| '''[[Breinigsville, Pennsylvania|Breinigsville]]'''
| CDP
| 4,138
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 13
| '''[[Coplay, Pennsylvania|Coplay]]'''
| Borough
| 3,192
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 14
| '''[[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]'''
| Borough
| 3,074
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 15
| '''[[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]]'''
| CDP
| 2,935
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 17
| '''[[Coopersburg, Pennsylvania|Coopersburg]]'''
| Borough
| 2,386
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 18
| '''[[Alburtis, Pennsylvania|Alburtis]]'''
| Borough
| 2,361
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 19
| '''[[Cetronia, Pennsylvania|Cetronia]]'''
| CDP
| 2,115
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 20
| '''[[Trexlertown, Pennsylvania|Trexlertown]]'''
| CDP
| 1,988
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 22
| '''[[Laurys Station, Pennsylvania|Laurys Station]]'''
| CDP
| 1,243
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 24
| '''[[DeSales University, Pennsylvania|DeSales University]]'''
| CDP
| 953
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 25
| '''[[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]]'''
| CDP
| 898
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 26
| '''[[Slatedale, Pennsylvania|Slatedale]]'''
| CDP
| 455
|}

==Notable people==
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Since its founding in 1812, Lehigh County has been the birthplace or home to several notable Americans, including:

*[[Chuck Bednarik]], former professional football player, [[Philadelphia Eagles]], and 1967 [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee
*[[Stephen Vincent Benét]], former novelist
*[[Michaela Conlin]], stage and television actress, ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]''
*[[Todd Howard]], video game designer, director, and executive producer of [[Bethesda Softworks]]
*[[Lee Iacocca]], former president and chief executive officer of [[Chrysler]] 
*[[Keith Jarrett]], jazz musician
*[[Michael Johns (policy analyst)|Michael Johns]], healthcare executive and former [[White House]] presidential speechwriter
*[[Billy Kidman]], former professional wrestler
*[[Carson Kressley]], [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]]-winning fashion designer, [[Bravo (U.S. TV network)|Bravo]]'s ''[[Queer Eye (2003 TV series)|Queer Eye]]''
*[[Rose Lambert]], former American missionary who witnessed the 1909 [[Adana massacre]] of [[Armenians]] 
*[[Varvara Lepchenko]], professional tennis player
*[[Lil Peep]], former American [[emo rap]]per, singer, and songwriter 
*[[Matt Millen]], former professional football player, [[Oakland Raiders]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], and [[Washington Redskins]], and former president and general manager, [[Detroit Lions]]
*[[Andre Reed]], former professional football player, [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[Washington Redskins]], and 2014 [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee
*[[John O. Sheatz]], former Pennsylvania state representative, state senator, and state treasurer from 1908 to 1911
*[[Amanda Seyfried]], actress, ''[[Veronica Mars]]'', ''[[Big Love]]'', ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'', and ''[[Les Misérables (2012 film)|Les Misérables]]''
*[[Curt Simmons]], former professional baseball player, [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|California Angels]], [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], and [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
*[[Eric Steckel]], blues singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer
*[[Dana Snyder]], film and television actor, ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''
*[[Christine Taylor]], actress and wife of actor [[Ben Stiller]]
*[[Lauren Weisberger]], author, ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (novel)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Lehigh County}}
*[https://www.lehighcounty.org/ Lehigh County website]
*[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/ Lehigh County news] at Lehigh Valley Live
*[https://www.mcall.com/all-community-faug18-htmlstory.html "Famous People from the Lehigh Valley]," ''The Morning Call'', August 18, 2006

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Lehigh County
|North = [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]]
|Northeast = [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]]
|East = [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]]
|Southeast = [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]]
|South = [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]]
|Southwest = [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]]
|West = [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]]
|Northwest = [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill County]]
|image =  
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Articles relating to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
|list=
{{Lehigh County, Pennsylvania}}
{{Allentown, PA}}
{{Lehigh Valley}}
{{Pennsylvania}}
}}
{{authority control}}

{{coord|40.61|-75.59|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-PA_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Lehigh County, Pennsylvania| ]]
[[Category:1812 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Lehigh Valley]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1812]]