Allentown, PA

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Population

120,128

0.421% growth

Median Age

31.8


Median Household Income

$38,522

3.4% growth

Poverty Rate

27.3%


Number of Employees

50,125

0.441% growth

Median Property Value

$124,000

1.67% decline

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Allentown, PA had a population of 120k people with a median age of 31.8 and a median household income of $38,522. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Allentown, PA grew from 119,624 to 120,128, a 0.421% increase and its median household income grew from $37,256 to $38,522, a 3.4% increase.

The population of Allentown, PA is 50.6% Hispanic or Latino, 34.4% White Alone, and 10.4% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Allentown, PA speak a non-English language, and 91.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Allentown, PA are Muhlenberg College (755 degrees awarded in 2017), Cedar Crest College (498 degrees), and Welder Training and Testing Institute (52 degrees).

The median property value in Allentown, PA is $124,000, and the homeownership rate is 43.4%. Most people in Allentown, PA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Allentown, PA is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Allie_Caulfield

United StatesPennsylvaniaLehigh County, PAAllentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJOutside Allentown & Bethlehem Cities)Emmaus Borough PUMA, PAAllentown City PUMA, PA

Economy

The economy of Allentown, PA employs 50.1k people. The largest industries in Allentown, PA are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,917 people), Manufacturing (7,271 people), and Retail Trade (6,143 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,438), Utilities ($62,308), and Public Administration ($47,604).

Median household income in Allentown, PA is $38,522. Males in Allentown, PA have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,502. The income inequality in Allentown, PA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.469, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$38,522

2017 value

± $1,781

3.4%

1 Year Growth

± 5.41%

Households in Allentown, PA have a median annual income of $38,522, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $37,256 in 2016, which represents a 3.4% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Allentown, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$67,039

Average Male Salary

± $1,040

$49,502

Average Female Salary

± $757

In 2017, full-time male employees in Pennsylvania made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $61,450 ± $4,076

  2. White

    $51,412 ± $642

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $38,644 ± $21,965

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Pennsylvania workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.2 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.469

2017 Wage GINI

0.469

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.469 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.19% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 23.01

  2. Census Tract 22.01

  3. Census Tract 23.02

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Allentown, PA was Census Tract 23.01 with a value of $74,481, followed by Census Tract 22.01 and Census Tract 23.02, with respective values of $64,076 and $57,788.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

27.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Allentown, PA (31.3k out of 115k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 6 - 11.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. Hispanic

    20,983 ± 1,080

  2. White

    16,493 ± 999

  3. Other

    7,562 ± 699

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Allentown, PA is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

50.1k

2017 Value

± 1,633

0.441%

1 Year growth

± 4.63%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Allentown, PA grew at a rate of 0.441%, from 49.9k employees to 50.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Allentown, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,112 people), Material Moving Occupations (5,302 people), and Production Occupations (5,096 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Allentown, PA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Allentown, PA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,112 people), Material Moving Occupations (5,302 people), and Production Occupations (5,096 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Allentown, PA has an unusually high number of residents working as Material Moving Occupations (4.04 times higher than expected), Healthcare Support Occupations (2.08 times), and Production Occupations (1.75 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Allentown, PA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($59,435), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($55,700), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($52,665).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

50.1k

2017 Value

± 1,633

0.441%

1 Year growth

± 4.63%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Allentown, PA grew at a rate of 0.441%, from 49.9k employees to 50.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Allentown, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,917 people), Manufacturing (7,271 people), and Retail Trade (6,143 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Allentown, PA, though some of these residents may live in Allentown, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Allentown, PA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,917 people), Manufacturing (7,271 people), and Retail Trade (6,143 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Allentown, PA has an unusually high number of Transportation & Warehousing (2.05 times higher than expected), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.86 times), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.62 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Allentown, PA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,438), Utilities ($62,308), and Public Administration ($47,604).

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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

  1. Mixed freight

    $88.5B

  2. Coal-n.e.c.

    $57.4B

  3. Pharmaceuticals

    $55.2B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $88.5B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($57.4B) and Pharmaceuticals ($55.2B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania state.

$671B

2020 Value

$954B

Projected 2045 Value

42.2% growth

In 2020, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $671B. This is expected to increase 42.2% to $954B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. New York

    $65.4B

  2. New Jersey

    $62.6B

  3. Ohio

    $35.6B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $65.4B, followed by New Jersey with $62.6B and Ohio and $35.6B.

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

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Health

86.4% of the population of Allentown, PA has health coverage, with 34.7% on employee plans, 34.9% on Medicaid, 8.63% on Medicare, 7.58% on non-group plans, and 0.672% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the place of Allentown, PA was $9,258 in 2014. This is a 4.29% increase from the previous year ($8,877).

Primary care physicians in Allentown, PA see 1232 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.326% increase from the previous year (1228 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1481 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 559 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16%). Additionally, Clearfield County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,232 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Pennsylvania see an average of 1,232 patients per year. This represents a 0.326% increase from the previous year (1,228 patients).

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

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$9,258

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,634

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,407

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,243

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Pennsylvania (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.29%, from $8,877 to $9,258.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

13.6%

Uninsured

34.7%

Employer Coverage

34.9%

Medicaid

8.63%

Medicare

7.58%

Non-Group

0.672%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Allentown, PA declined by 9.5% from 15% to 13.6%.

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

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Fayette County

    16% prevalence

  2. Mifflin County

    13.4% prevalence

  3. Venango County

    13.2% prevalence

Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania, at 16%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Allentown, PA is home to a population of 120k people, from which 91.1% are citizens. As of 2017, 17.4% of Allentown, PA residents were born outside of the country (20.9k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Allentown, PA is composed of 60.8k Hispanic or Latino residents (50.6%), 41.3k White Alone residents (34.4%), 12.5k Black or African American Alone residents (10.4%), 2.57k Two or More Races residents (2.14%), 2.54k Asian Alone residents (2.11%), 229 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.191%), 209 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.174%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

Age

Age by Nativity

29

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.7

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.4

In 2017, the median age of all people in Allentown, PA was 31.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 29, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Allentown, PA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Allentown, PA residents was 32.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

17.4%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

20.9k people

16.3%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

19.5k people

As of 2017, 17.4% of Allentown, PA residents (20.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Allentown, PA was 16.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. India

    81,562 ± 6,989 people

  2. China

    63,036 ± 6,149 people

  3. Mexico

    54,918 ± 5,741 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 81,562 Pennsylvania residents, followed by China with 63,036 and Mexico with 54,918.

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Citizenship

91.1%

2017 Citizenship

92%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 91.1% of Allentown, PA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Allentown, PA was 92%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. Hispanic or Latino

    60.8k ± 2.95k

  2. White Alone

    41.3k ± 1.09k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    12.5k ± 927

In 2017, there were 1.47 times more Hispanic or Latino residents (60.8k people) in Allentown, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 41.3k White Alone and 12.5k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Allentown, PA as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    1,284 ± 174

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    578 ± 176

  3. Korea

    501 ± 149

Allentown, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.22 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Allentown, PA awarded 1,332 degrees. The student population of Allentown, PA is skewed towards women, with 1,232 male students and 2,899 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Allentown, PA are White (931 and 71%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (121 and 9.23%), Unknown (121 and 9.23%), and Black or African American (71 and 5.42%).

The largest universities in Allentown, PA by number of degrees awarded are Muhlenberg College (755 and 56.7%), Cedar Crest College (498 and 37.4%), and Welder Training and Testing Institute (52 and 3.9%).

The most popular majors in Allentown, PA are General Business Administration & Management (145 and 10.9%), Registered Nursing (108 and 8.11%), and General Psychology (105 and 7.88%).

The median tuition costs in Allentown, PA are $43,794 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    124 degrees awarded

  2. Registered Nursing

    108 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    105 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Allentown, PA was General Business Administration & Management with 124 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Muhlenberg College

    755 degrees awarded

  2. Cedar Crest College

    498 degrees awarded

  3. Welder Training and Testing Institute

    52 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$43,794

Median Private

In 2017, the Allentown, PA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Muhlenberg College with 755 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

363

Degrees Awarded to Men

969

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 363 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Allentown, PA, which is 0.375 times less than the 969 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Allentown, PA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    931 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    121 degrees awarded

  3. Unknown

    121 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Allentown, PA were to White students. These 931 degrees mean that there were 7.69 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 121 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Allentown, PA was $124,000 in 2017, which is 0.54 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $126,100 to $124,000, a 1.67% decrease. The homeownership rate in Allentown, PA is 43.4%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Allentown, PA have an average commute time of 22.6 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Allentown, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$124,000

2017 Median

± $3,036

$126,100

2016 Median

± $3,219

In 2017, the median property value in Allentown, PA declined from to $124,000 from the previous year's value of $126,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Allentown, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Allentown, PA the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Household Income

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

$38,522

Median Household Income

± $1,781

41.9k

Number of Households

± 1,331

In 2017, the median household income of the 41.9k households in Allentown, PA grew to $38,522 from the previous year's value of $37,256.

The following chart displays the households in Allentown, 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 $60k - $75k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Allentown, PA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Allentown, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

43.4%

2017 Homeownership

45%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 43.4% of the housing units in Allentown, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 45%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Allentown, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

22.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Allentown, PA have a shorter commute time (22.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.71% of the workforce in Allentown, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    67.4%

  2. Carpooled

    17%

  3. Walked

    5.51%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Allentown, PA was Drove Alone (67.4%), followed by those who Carpooled (17%) and those who Walked (5.51%).

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.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Allentown, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Allentown, PA have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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