Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2023 Population

866,764

0.417% 1-year growth

2023 Median Age

41.4

0.485% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

10.3%

1.25% 1-year decrease

2023 Median Household Income

$82,602

5.1% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$277,800

7.67% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

428,874

0.492% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ had a population of 867k people with a median age of 41.4 and a median household income of $82,602. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew from 863,166 to 866,764, a 0.417% increase and its median household income grew from $78,597 to $82,602, a 5.1% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are White (Non-Hispanic) (69.2%), Two+ (Hispanic) (7.31%), Other (Hispanic) (6.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.35%), and White (Hispanic) (4.66%).

None of the households in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 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.

95.7% of the residents in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are Lehigh University (2,096 degrees awarded in 2023), Northampton County Area Community College (1,190 degrees), and DeSales University (927 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was $277,800, and the homeownership rate was 69.5%.

Most people in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was 2 cars per household.

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ borders East Stroudsburg, PA, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, Pottsville, PA, Reading, PA, and Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA.

About the photo: Tannery, Moravian Historical Buildings, Bethlehem, PA

Photo by Todd Heft

United States New Jersey Pennsylvania

Population & Diversity

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is home to a population of 867k people, from which 95.7% are citizens. As of 2023, 10.4% of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ residents were born outside of the country (89.8k people).

In 2023, there were 9.46 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (600k people) in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ than any other race or ethnicity. There were 63.4k Two+ (Hispanic) and 53.8k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.7%

2023 Citizenship

95.7%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 95.7% of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was 95.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

White (Non-Hispanic)
600k ± 1.02k
Two+ (Hispanic)
63.4k ± 3.12k
Other (Hispanic)
53.8k ± 2.95k

19.1%

Hispanic Population

166k people

19.1% of the people in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are hispanic (166k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Most Common Origin

India
372,751 ± 20,351 people
Dominican Republic
295,221 ± 18,341 people
Mexico
156,017 ± 13,456 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania and New Jersey was India, the natal country of 372,751 Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 295,221 and Mexico with 156,017.

Foreign-Born Population

10.4%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

89.8k people

10%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

86.7k people

As of 2023, 10.4% of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ residents (89.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was 10%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
15,916 ± 920
Gulf War (2001-)
7,187 ± 755
Gulf War (1990s)
5,451 ± 538

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.21 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ employs 429k people. The largest industries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are Health Care & Social Assistance (70,949 people), Manufacturing (56,376 people), and Retail Trade (47,609 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($92,143), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($86,250), and Public Administration ($72,867).

Males in Pennsylvania have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,610. The income inequality in Pennsylvania (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

429k

2023 Value

± 5,359

0.492%

1 Year growth

± 1.75%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew at a rate of 0.492%, from 427k employees to 429k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (46,303 people), Management Occupations (44,276 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (38,094 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (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

429k

2023 Value

± 5,359

0.492%

1 Year growth

± 1.75%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew at a rate of 0.492%, from 427k employees to 429k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, are Health Care & Social Assistance (70,949 people), Manufacturing (56,376 people), and Retail Trade (47,609 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, though some of these residents may live in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$57,586

Median earning men ± $1,044

$40,504

Median earning women ± $546

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Information ($84,537), Public Administration ($84,346), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,297).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($57,824), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,685), and Manufacturing ($53,747).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,394
Other Services (except Public Administration)
1,140
Construction
1,091
Retail Trade

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

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$4.75M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$2.87M
Manufacturing
$1.86M
Wholesale Trade

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in New Jersey and Pennsylvania went to Kamala Harris with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.7%), followed by Jill Stein (0.651%).

John Fetterman, Dave McCormick, Cory Booker, and Andy Kim are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 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

Voting results are not available for Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ. Showing the available data for New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (49.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (48.7%)
Republican Party
Jill Stein (0.651%)
Green Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania and New Jersey

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

John Fetterman

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Dave McCormick

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Cory Booker

Senator from New Jersey

Assumed office on October 31, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Jeffrey Chiesa, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Frank Lautenberg.

Andy Kim

Senator from New Jersey

Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed George Helmy, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of Bob Menendez.

John Fetterman, Dave McCormick, Cory Booker, and Andy Kim are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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 and New Jersey 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 2023, universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ awarded 9,811 degrees. The student population of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 16,779 male students and 25,092 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are White (6,047 and 64.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,487 and 15.9%), Black or African American (596 and 6.37%), and Unknown (548 and 5.86%).

The largest universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ by number of degrees awarded are Lehigh University (2,096 and 21.4%), Northampton County Area Community College (1,190 and 12.1%), and DeSales University (927 and 9.45%).

The most popular majors in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are General Business Administration & Management (530 and 5.4%), Registered Nursing (498 and 5.08%), and General Psychology (350 and 3.57%).

The median tuition costs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are $50,069 for private four year colleges, and $14,624 and $24,562 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, the percentage of applicants admitted was 46.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 41,871 (40.1% men and 59.9% 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 2023 there were 41,871 students enrolled in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, 40.1% men and 59.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 21,780 records, of which 60.1% were women and 39.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
279 degrees awarded
General Finance
256 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
251 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was Registered Nursing with 279 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Lehigh University
2,096 degrees awarded
Northampton County Area Community College
1,190 degrees awarded
DeSales University
927 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lehigh University with 2,096 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 3,626 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, which is 0.586 times less than the 6,185 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,047 degrees mean that there were 4.07 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,487 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 ($50,069) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, less-than 2-year ($2,445) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($2,734) 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 and New Jersey.

Measure

In 2022, 0.906% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.906% 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 and New Jersey.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (5.42M), Bachelors Degree (3.75M), and Some college (3.13M).

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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was $277,800 in 2023, which is 0.916 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $258,000 to $277,800, a 7.67% increase. The homeownership rate in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 69.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ have an average commute time of 27.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $82,602. In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was Hunterdon County, NJ with a value of $139,453, followed by Somerset County, NJ and Morris County, NJ, with respective values of $135,960 and $134,929.

Housing

Property

$277,800

Median Property Value 2023

±$2,079

$234,260

Median Property Taxes

±$3,274

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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

69.5%

Homeownership

2023

61.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 69.5% of the housing units in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 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)

In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was Hunterdon County, NJ with a value of $139,453, followed by Somerset County, NJ and Morris County, NJ, with respective values of $135,960 and $134,929.

The following map shows all of the counties in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 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.

$82,602

Median Household Income

± $1,256

337k

Number of Households

± 4,393

In 2023, the median household income of the 337k households in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew to $82,602 from the previous year's value of $78,597.

The following chart displays the households in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

0.466

2022 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.467

2021 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.489

2022 Wage GINI in New Jersey

0.49

2021 Wage GINI in New Jersey

In 2022, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.123% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more 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.

In the same year, the income inequality in New Jersey was 0.489 and income inequality had a 0.278% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New Jersey was higher than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed less evenly in New Jersey in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (76%)
Worked At Home (11.9%)
Carpooled (7.12%)

In 2023, 76% of workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.9%) and those who carpooled to work (7.12%).

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

27.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ have a longer commute time (27.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 3.98% of the workforce in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (86.5k out of 842k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is White, followed by Hispanic 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.

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.

Health

94.8% of the population of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has health coverage, with 53% on employee plans, 16.2% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 10.3% on non-group plans, and 0.623% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see 1216 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.491% decrease from the previous year (1222 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1410 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 397 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in New Jersey see 1181 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.854% increase from the previous year (1171 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1168 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 370 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,216 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Pennsylvania

1,181 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in New Jersey

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see an average of 1,216 patients per year. This represents a 0.491% decrease from the previous year (1,222 patients).

Primary care physicians in New Jersey see an average of 1,181 patients per year. This represents a 0.854% increase from the previous year (1,171 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.5% under 18 years, 19.9% between 18 and 34 years, 39.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.25%

Uninsured

53%

Employer Coverage

16.2%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

10.3%

Non-Group

0.623%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ declined by 1.86% from 5.35% to 5.25%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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