Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2024 Population

873,603

2024 Poverty Rate

10.2%

0.73% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$84,587

2.4% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$300,800

8.28% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

435,224

1.48% 1-year growth

About

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.

95.3% 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 (2,159 degrees awarded in 2024), Northampton County Area Community College (1,330 degrees), and Lehigh Carbon Community College (961 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was $300,800, and the homeownership rate was 69.7%.

Most people in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.5 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 874k people, from which 95.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 11% of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ residents were born outside of the country (95.9k people).

In 2024, there were 8.77 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (593k people) in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ than any other race or ethnicity. There were 67.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 67k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.3%

2024 Citizenship

95.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.3% of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, 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)
593k ± 984
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
67.6k ± 3.27k
Other (Hispanic)
67k ± 3.21k

19.9%

Hispanic Population

174k people

19.9% of the people in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are hispanic (174k people).

The following chart shows the 8 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 New Jersey.

Most Common Origin

India
381,490 ± 15,034 people
Dominican Republic
313,523 ± 13,650 people
Mexico
165,598 ± 9,954 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New Jersey was India, the natal country of 381,490 New Jersey residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 313,523 and Mexico with 165,598.

Foreign-Born Population

11%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

95.9k people

10.4%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

89.8k people

As of 2024, 11% of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ residents (95.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was 10.4%, 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
15,532 ± 827
Gulf War (2001-)
7,280 ± 761
Gulf War (1990s)
5,745 ± 604

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.13 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.

Health

94.6% of the population of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has health coverage, with 52.6% on employee plans, 16.2% on Medicaid, 14.9% on Medicare, 10.3% on non-group plans, and 0.582% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in New Jersey see 1,279 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,279 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1157 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 320 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,279 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in New Jersey

Primary care physicians in New Jersey see an average of 1,279 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,279 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.2% under 18 years, 20.1% between 18 and 34 years, 38.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.43%

Uninsured

52.6%

Employer Coverage

16.2%

Medicaid

14.9%

Medicare

10.3%

Non-Group

0.582%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew by 3.53% from 5.25% to 5.43%.

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.

Economy

The economy of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ employs 435k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ were Health Care & Social Assistance (72,077 people), Manufacturing (56,552 people), and Retail Trade (49,988 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($105,632), Utilities ($100,556), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,902).

Employment

Occupations

435k

2024 Value

± 5,441

1.48%

1 Year growth

± 1.74%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew at a rate of 1.48%, from 429k employees to 435k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (46,806 people), Management Occupations (44,449 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (38,221 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 New Jersey.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in 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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

435k

2024 Value

± 5,441

1.48%

1 Year growth

± 1.74%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew at a rate of 1.48%, from 429k employees to 435k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, are Health Care & Social Assistance (72,077 people), Manufacturing (56,552 people), and Retail Trade (49,988 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

$58,694

Median earning men ± $1,179

$41,799

Median earning women ± $722

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($88,926), Public Administration ($84,241), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($79,619).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,779), Public Administration ($55,754), and Manufacturing ($54,769).

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.

The visualization shows the 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 and New Jersey is currently represented by 28 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/cory-booker-new-jersey-senate-election-098436 |title=Booker Wins New Jersey Senate Seat |work=Politico |access-date=May 21, 2020 }}

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ awarded 9,929 degrees. The student population of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 15,606 male students and 23,940 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are White (6,044 and 63.6%), Hispanic or Latino (1,560 and 16.4%), Black or African American (662 and 6.97%), and Unknown (479 and 5.04%).

The largest universities in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ by number of degrees awarded are Lehigh University (2,159 and 21.7%), Northampton County Area Community College (1,330 and 13.4%), and Lehigh Carbon Community College (961 and 9.68%).

The most popular majors in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ are General Business Administration & Management (545 and 5.49%), Registered Nursing (474 and 4.77%), and General Psychology (391 and 3.94%).

The median tuition costs are $51,569 for private four year colleges, and $14,624 and $24,808 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, the percentage of applicants admitted was 45.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 39,546 (39.5% men and 60.5% 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 2024 there were 39,546 students enrolled in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, 39.5% men and 60.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 21,343 records, of which 60.1% were women and 39.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Finance
289 degrees awarded
General Psychology
280 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
243 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was General Finance with 289 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
2,159 degrees awarded
Northampton County Area Community College
1,330 degrees awarded
Lehigh Carbon Community College
961 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lehigh University with 2,159 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 3,785 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, which is 0.616 times less than the 6,144 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,044 degrees mean that there were 3.87 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,560 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 ($51,569) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, less-than 2-year ($2,445) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,840) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ was $300,800 in 2024, which is 0.904 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $277,800 to $300,800, a 8.28% increase. The homeownership rate in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 69.7%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ have an average commute time of 27.5 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.

Housing

Property

$300,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$3,657

$236,772

Median Property Taxes

±$3,231

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

69.7%

Homeownership

2024

62%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 69.7% 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 69.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

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

$84,587

Median Household Income

± $1,380

340k

Number of Households

± 4,733

In 2024, the median household income of the 340k households in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ grew to $84,587 from the previous year's value of $82,602.

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 New Jersey.

0.476

2024 Wage GINI in New Jersey

0.478

2023 Wage GINI in New Jersey

In 2024, the income inequality in New Jersey was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.436% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for New Jersey was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in New Jersey in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (74.2%)
Worked At Home (13.7%)
Carpooled (7.22%)

In 2024, 74.2% of workers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.7%) and those who carpooled to work (7.22%).

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

27.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ have a longer commute time (27.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4% 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

10.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (86.5k out of 849k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 55 - 64.

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.