Allentown is situated in eastern Pennsylvania at 40°36′20′′N 75°26′0′′W, approximately 48 miles north of Philadelphia and 78 miles west of New York City. The United States Census Bureau estimates the city’s total area to be 18.0 square miles. It contains 17.8 square miles of land and 0.2 square miles of water (1.1%). The Lehigh River forms the city’s primary waterway, while Jordan Creek and Little Lehigh Creek join within the city limits and empty into the Lehigh River. Lake Muhlenberg in Cedar Creek Parkway and ponds in Trexler Park provide additional water features within the urban environment.
Allentown is located in an area rich in limestone deposits, from which the city’s historic cement industry developed. The surrounding agricultural landscape belongs to the Pennsylvania Dutch region, known for its fertile farmlands and rich mineral deposits. The city serves as the largest of three adjacent cities in the Lehigh Valley region, including Bethlehem and Easton in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The Population of Allentown, PA
As of the 2020 census of the United States, Allentown had a population of 125,845. 54.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino, 30.2% was non-Hispanic White, 10.5% was non-Hispanic Black, 2.0% was Asian, 0.8% was Native American or Pacific Islander, and 2.3% was mixed or other.
As of recent estimates, there were approximately 49,000 households, with the average household size of 2.5 people. The city has experienced significant demographic changes over the past three decades, with the Hispanic population growing from an estimated 12 percent in 1990 to over 50 percent today, making Allentown one of the most diverse cities in Pennsylvania.
In the city, the median age is 32.4 years, making it relatively young compared to many Pennsylvania cities. The population includes significant representation across all age groups, with families comprising a large portion of households. The average household income is $68,251, while the median household income is $53,403.
Allentown serves as the county seat of Lehigh County and is Pennsylvania’s third-largest city after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It is also the most populous city in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which had a population of 861,899 as of 2020, making it the 68th-most populous metropolitan area in the United States.
The city’s strategic location between major metropolitan markets has contributed to its role as an economic and cultural hub for the region, while its diverse population reflects broader migration and immigration patterns affecting northeastern Pennsylvania cities.
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