Who We Are

The Lehigh Valley is a fast-growing region in eastern Pennsylvania that covers 726 square miles in Lehigh and Northampton counties. The two-county area consists of the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, 27 boroughs and 32 townships. Almost 695,000 people call the region home, but that number is growing steadily. 

Nestled between some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, the Lehigh Valley features a rich variety of landscapes, including the Blue Mountain to the north, the Delaware River to the east and the South Mountain. The majority of the populated areas are increasing in density. This runs parallel with an increase in diversity, not only of the type of people who live, work, and visit here, but in the growing opportunities – and challenges – that impact our quality of life.

According to an LVPC demographic and economic analysis, Lehigh and Northampton counties will add nearly 100,000 people by 2050, fueled by migration, employment opportunities and a quality of life that’s made it a place where people and businesses want to be. During that time, the Region will become more diverse as Hispanics that now make up 21% of the population will become 33% by 2050, while the Lehigh Valley adds an average of 3,308 more people a year, or a percentage increase of 14.4%.

Employment will also grow even faster than the population, adding more than 74,108 new jobs by 2050, with healthcare, manufacturing and transportation/warehousing leading the way. However, the “Baby Boomer” generation exiting the job market will likely mean a struggle for businesses filling jobs in the Region in the long-term.

The full Population & Employment Forecast is below: