Lehigh County, PA

County

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2021 Population

372,492

1.4% 1-year growth

US Senator

Bob Casey Jr.

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Fetterman

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

38.8

0.513% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

12.1%

4.24% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$69,440

4.87% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$224,700

4.32% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

181,326

1.38% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Lehigh County, PA had a population of 372k people with a median age of 38.8 and a median household income of $69,440. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Lehigh County, PA grew from 367,338 to 372,492, a 1.4% increase and its median household income grew from $66,214 to $69,440, a 4.87% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lehigh County, PA are White (Non-Hispanic) (61.9%), White (Hispanic) (11.4%), Two+ (Hispanic) (6.83%), Other (Hispanic) (6.31%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.77%).

None of the households in Lehigh County, PA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94% of the residents in Lehigh County, PA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lehigh County, PA are DeSales University (983 degrees awarded in 2021), Lehigh Carbon Community College (948 degrees), and Muhlenberg College (662 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Lehigh County, PA was $224,700, and the homeownership rate was 64.7%.

Most people in Lehigh County, PA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Lehigh County, PA was 2 cars per household.

Lehigh County, PA borders Berks County, PA, Bucks County, PA, Carbon County, PA, Montgomery County, PA, Northampton County, PA, and Schuylkill County, PA.

About the photo: Lehigh river

Photo by Jeff Cushner

United States Pennsylvania Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Population & Diversity

Lehigh County, PA is home to a population of 372k people, from which 94% are citizens. As of 2021, 12.6% of Lehigh County, PA residents were born outside of the country (46.8k people).

In 2021, there were 5.42 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (231k people) in Lehigh County, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 42.5k White (Hispanic) and 25.5k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94%

2021 Citizenship

94.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94% of Lehigh County, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Lehigh County, PA was 94.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lehigh County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lehigh County, PA

White (Non-Hispanic)
231k ± 505
White (Hispanic)
42.5k ± 2.1k
Two+ (Hispanic)
25.5k ± 2.16k

26.3%

Hispanic Population

98.1k people

26.3% of the people in Lehigh County, PA are hispanic (98.1k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Lehigh County, PA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

India
98,153 ± 7,663 people
Dominican Republic
81,192 ± 6,974 people
China
66,978 ± 6,337 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 98,153 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 81,192 and China with 66,978.

Foreign-Born Population

12.6%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

46.8k people

11.9%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

43.8k people

As of 2021, 12.6% of Lehigh County, PA residents (46.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lehigh County, PA was 11.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lehigh County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,687 ± 576
Gulf War (1990s)
2,400 ± 423
Gulf War (2001-)
2,266 ± 469

Lehigh County, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.79 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Lehigh County, PA employs 181k people. The largest industries in Lehigh County, PA are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,659 people), Manufacturing (24,891 people), and Retail Trade (20,424 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($78,244), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($63,231), and Public Administration ($62,584).

Males in Pennsylvania have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $57,734. The income inequality in Pennsylvania (measured using the Gini index) is 0.467, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

181k

2021 Value

± 3,470

1.38%

1 Year growth

± 2.64%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Lehigh County, PA grew at a rate of 1.38%, from 179k employees to 181k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lehigh County, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (20,044 people), Management Occupations (18,465 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (17,599 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lehigh County, PA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

181k

2021 Value

± 3,470

1.38%

1 Year growth

± 2.64%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Lehigh County, PA grew at a rate of 1.38%, from 179k employees to 181k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lehigh County, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (30,659 people), Manufacturing (24,891 people), and Retail Trade (20,424 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lehigh County, PA, though some of these residents may live in Lehigh County, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,734

Median earning men ± $1,576

$33,723

Median earning women ± $915

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($73,317), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($62,644), and Information ($61,667).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($52,037), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,072), and Wholesale Trade ($43,849).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Pennsylvania. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Pennsylvania.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

4,177
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,876
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
1,858
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$5.68M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$4.43M
Manufacturing
$2.2M
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $110B, followed by Mixed freight ($76.1B) and Electronics ($43.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$722B

2020 Value in Pennsylvania

$1.46T

Projected 2050 Value in Pennsylvania

103% growth

In 2020, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $722B. This is expected to increase 103% to $1.46T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

New Jersey
$73.7B
New York
$72.6B
Ohio
$36B

In 2020, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Jersey with $73.7B, followed by New York with $72.6B and Ohio and $36B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Lehigh County, PA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 53.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (45.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.17%).

Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (53.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (45.6%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.17%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Lehigh County, PA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Bob Casey Jr.

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

John Fetterman

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Pennsylvania over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Pennsylvania have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Lehigh County, PA awarded 4,193 degrees. The student population of Lehigh County, PA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 4,681 male students and 10,030 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lehigh County, PA are White (2,629 and 63.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (737 and 17.7%), Black or African American (319 and 7.67%), and Unknown (228 and 5.48%).

The largest universities in Lehigh County, PA by number of degrees awarded are DeSales University (983 and 23.4%), Lehigh Carbon Community College (948 and 22.6%), and Muhlenberg College (662 and 15.8%).

The most popular majors in Lehigh County, PA are General Business Administration & Management (403 and 9.61%), Registered Nursing (282 and 6.73%), and Medical Assistant (236 and 5.63%).

The median tuition cost in Lehigh County, PA for private four year colleges is $41,991.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Lehigh County, PA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 72.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 14,711 (31.8% men and 68.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 14,711 students enrolled in Lehigh County, PA, 31.8% men and 68.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,825 records, of which 67.3% were women and 32.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
175 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
163 degrees awarded
General Psychology
118 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Lehigh County, PA was General Business Administration & Management with 175 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Lehigh County, PA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

DeSales University
983 degrees awarded
Lehigh Carbon Community College
948 degrees awarded
Muhlenberg College
662 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was DeSales University with 983 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,265 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lehigh County, PA, which is 0.432 times less than the 2,928 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,629 degrees mean that there were 3.57 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 737 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($41,991) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,710) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Measure

In 2021, 0.711% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.725% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (3.52M), Bachelors Degree (1.95M), and Some college (1.84M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Lehigh County, PA was $224,700 in 2021, which is 0.918 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $215,400 to $224,700, a 4.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Lehigh County, PA is 64.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Lehigh County, PA have an average commute time of 24.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lehigh County, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Lehigh County, PA is $69,440. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Lehigh County, PA was Census Tract 62.04 with a value of $143,920, followed by Census Tract 69.03 and Census Tract 63.04, with respective values of $132,404 and $131,821.

In 2022, 15.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lehigh County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.642%.

Housing

Property

$224,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,222

$91,733

Median Property Taxes

±$1,963

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lehigh County, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lehigh County, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

64.7%

Homeownership

2021

60.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 64.7% of the housing units in Lehigh County, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 64.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lehigh County, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 62.04
Census Tract 69.03
Census Tract 63.04

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Lehigh County, PA was Census Tract 62.04 with a value of $143,920, followed by Census Tract 69.03 and Census Tract 63.04, with respective values of $132,404 and $131,821.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Lehigh County, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$69,440

Median Household Income

± $1,581

142k

Number of Households

± 2,884

In 2021, the median household income of the 142k households in Lehigh County, PA grew to $69,440 from the previous year's value of $66,214.

The following chart displays the households in Lehigh County, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lehigh County, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.467

2021 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2021, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.147% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77.2%)
Carpooled (9.01%)
Worked At Home (8.76%)

In 2021, 77.2% of workers in Lehigh County, PA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.01%) and those who worked at home (8.76%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lehigh County, PA have a shorter commute time (24.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.97% of the workforce in Lehigh County, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lehigh County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lehigh County, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lehigh County, PA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lehigh County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.642%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

12.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lehigh County, PA (44k out of 363k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lehigh County, PA is Hispanic, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 18.6% of the children was living in poverty in Lehigh County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 231 in Lehigh County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 51 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

93.6% of the population of Lehigh County, PA has health coverage, with 51.6% on employee plans, 19.1% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 9.11% on non-group plans, and 0.761% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Lehigh County, PA see 962 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.53% decrease from the previous year (987 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1141 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 485 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

962 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lehigh County, PA

Primary care physicians in Lehigh County, PA see an average of 962 patients per year. This represents a 2.53% decrease from the previous year (987 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lehigh County, PA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.5% under 18 years, 20.7% between 18 and 34 years, 38.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.4%

Uninsured

51.6%

Employer Coverage

19.1%

Medicaid

13%

Medicare

9.11%

Non-Group

0.761%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lehigh County, PA grew by 3.56% from 6.18% to 6.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lehigh County, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 44.4 in Lehigh County, PA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lehigh County, PA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.4% in Lehigh County, PA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lehigh County, PA.

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