View source for Lehigh Valley

{{About|the Eastern Pennsylvania region|the county|Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|other uses|Lehigh Valley (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox valley
| name                    = Lehigh Valley
| other_name              = 
| photo                   = Greatvalley-map.png
| photo_size              = 
| photo_caption           = The [[Great Appalachian Valley]] with the '''Lehigh Valley''' (5) south of the [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]] between [[Kittatinny Valley]] (4) to the north and [[Lebanon Valley]] (6) to the south
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| type2=shape|id2=Q494117|title2=Lehigh County|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-width2=0.5|fill2=#808080|fill-opacity2=0.4
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| type4=shape|id4=Q502468|title4=Warren County, NJ|stroke-color4=#808080|stroke-width4=0.5|fill4=#808080|fill-opacity4=0.4
| type5=shape|id5=Q495588|title5=Monroe County|stroke-color5=#156000|stroke-width5=0.5|fill5=#156000|fill-opacity5=0.4
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| type9=shape|id9=Q1132229|title9=City of East Stroudsburg|stroke-color9=#BD00C8|stroke-width9=0.5|fill9=#BD00C8|fill-opacity9=0.4
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| map_alt                  = Map of Allentown–Bethlehem–East Stroudsburg, PA–NJ Area
| map_caption              = Interactive Map of Allentown–Bethlehem–<br>East Stroudsburg, PA–NJ [[Combined statistical area|CSA]]
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{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{{leftlegend|#808080|Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJ [[Metropolitan Statistical Area|MSA]]}}
{{leftlegend|#0003FF|[[Allentown, Pennsylvania|City of Allentown]]}}
{{leftlegend|#080080|[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|City of Bethlehem]]}}
{{leftlegend|#FF0000|[[Easton, Pennsylvania|City of Easton]]}}
{{leftlegend|#156000|[[East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania|East Stroudsburg]] [[Metropolitan statistical area|MSA]]}}
{{leftlegend|#BD00C8|[[East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania|City of East Stroudsburg]]}}
{{Col-end}}
| label                   = 
| label_position          = none
| coordinates             = 
| coordinates_ref         = 
| location                = [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]]<br>[[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]]
| elevation               = 
| direction               = 
| length                  = 
| width                   = 
| boundaries              = [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]] [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] (north)<br>[[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] (south) <br>[[Delaware River]] (east)<br>[[Lebanon Valley]] (west)
| towns                   = [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]]
}}
{{Coord|40|42|N|75|30|W|region:US-PA_scale:1000000|display=title}}

The '''Lehigh Valley''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|h|aɪ}}) is a [[geography|geographic]] and [[urban area|metropolitan]] region formed by the [[Lehigh River]] in [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]] and [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton]] counties in eastern [[Pennsylvania]]. It is a component valley of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]] bounded to its north by [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]], to its south by [[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]], to its west by [[Lebanon Valley]], and to its east by the [[Delaware River]] and [[Warren County, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Halma |first1=Robert |last2=Oplinger |first2=Carl S. |title=The Lehigh Valley – A Natural and Environmental History |date=2001 |publisher=[[Penn State University Press]] |isbn=978-0-271-02093-8 |pages=1–2 |url={{GBurl|nN52cjdfGDcC|p=1}}}}</ref> The Lehigh Valley is about {{convert|40|mile}} long and {{convert|20|mile}} wide.<ref name="LVPC">{{cite web |author=Lehigh Valley Planning Commission |title=A Comprehensive Plan for Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania – The Lehigh Valley ... 1980 |url=https://lvpc.org/pdf/2017/FUTURELV/LVCompPlan_1980adpt1964.pdf |publisher=Lehigh Valley Planning Commission |date=May 15, 1964}}</ref> The Lehigh Valley's largest city is [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], the third-largest city in Pennsylvania and the [[county seat]] of Lehigh County, with a population of 125,845 residents as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/allentowncitypennsylvania/PST045216|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Allentown city, Pennsylvania|website=Census Bureau QuickFacts}}</ref>

The Allentown–[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]–[[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] metropolitan area, which includes the Lehigh Valley, is Pennsylvania's [[Pennsylvania metropolitan areas|third-most populous metropolitan area]] after those of [[Delaware Valley|Philadelphia]] and [[Greater Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]], and the nation's [[Metropolitan statistical area|66th-largest metropolitan area]] with a population of 886,418 as of 2023. Lehigh County is among Pennsylvania's fastest-growing counties, and the Lehigh Valley leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, which constitutes a significant portion of the labor [[workforce]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Census 2020: Lehigh Valley ranks among PA's Fastest Growing Regions|url=https://lehighvalley.org/census-2020-lehigh-valley-ranks-pa-fastest-growing-regions/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Lehigh Valley, PA|language=en-US |last1=Mertz |first1=Nicole Radzievich }}</ref> The region's core population centers are located in southern and central Lehigh and Northampton counties along [[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 78]], [[Interstate 476]], [[Pennsylvania Route 309]], and [[U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 22]].

The Lehigh Valley has historically been a global leader in [[steel]] and other heavy [[manufacturing]] industries, which represented a considerable portion of its employment and economic production for most of the 20th century. Beginning in the early 1980s, however, the region's heavy manufacturing sector experienced a rapid downfall, highlighted by the downsizing, bankruptcy, and ultimate closure of [[Bethlehem Steel]], the world's second-largest steel manufacturer for most of the 20th century, and other Lehigh Valley–based manufacturing companies. Throughout the late 20th century, the Lehigh Valley's economy struggled considerably, and it was often cited as one of the most prominent examples of the impact of [[deindustrialization|deindustrial]] economic decline in the nation's [[Rust Belt]] during the late 20th century.<ref>[https://psmag.com/economics/rust-belt-allure-bethlehem-pennsylvania-67738/ "Rust Belt Allure of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania"], ''[[Pacific Standard]]'', October 6, 2013</ref>

In the early 21st century, the Lehigh Valley's economy began rebounding, and it emerged as a national center for the U.S. [[logistics]] industry, especially in [[warehousing]] and [[intermodal freight transport|intermodal transport]].<ref name=LehighValleyLogisticsPowerhouse1>{{cite web|url=https://www.inboundlogistics.com/articles/logistics-hotspots-nine-that-shine/|title=Eastern Pennsylvania: Epicenter of Growth|date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Inbound Logistics|access-date=January 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name=LehighValleyLogisticsPowerhouse2>{{cite web|url=https://lehighvalley.org/logistics-ecommerce/|author=Nicole Radzievich Mertz|title=Lehigh Valley Flexes its Logistics Muscle as E-Commerce's Star Rises During COVID|work=Lehigh Valley, PA |publisher=lehighvalley.org|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=January 4, 2023}}</ref> As of 2023, the Lehigh Valley's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) was ${{nts|55.7}} billion, led by its manufacturing sector, which comprised $9 billion, or 16 percent.<ref>[https://lvb.com/lehigh-valley-gdp-grows-to-record-55-7-billion/ "Lehigh Valley GDP grows to record $55.7 billion", ''Lehigh Valley Business'', December 10, 2024, retrieved January 3, 2024</ref> In March 2024, the Lehigh Valley was named the nation's top mid-sized market for economic development by ''[[Site Selection]]'' magazine based on its number of projects that met criteria for job creation, investment, and size over the previous year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lehighvalley.org/news/news-releases/2024-year-in-review-lehigh-valley-gdp-grows-to-nearly-56b-as-quality-of-life-is-lauded-and-incomes-rise/ | title=2024 Year-in-Review: Lehigh Valley GDP Grows to Nearly $56B, as Quality of Life is Lauded and Incomes Rise }}</ref>

The region's primary commercial airport is [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] in [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]], which in 2023 was utilized by 930,946 passengers and trafficked over 275,000 pounds of cargo, an all-time cargo record for the airport.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/2024/01/lehigh-valley-air-travel-matches-nearly-20-year-high-with-record-cargo-flights.html "Lehigh Valley air travel matches nearly 20-year high, with record cargo flights"], Lehigh Valley Live, January 24, 2024</ref>

The Lehigh Valley is located in the center of the [[Northeast megalopolis|U.S. Northeast megalopolis]], providing ease of access and close proximity to many of the nation's largest population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including [[New York City]], the [[List of United States cities by population|nation's largest city]], which is {{convert|80|mi}} to its east, and [[Philadelphia]], the nation's sixth-most populous city, which is {{convert|50|mi}} to its southeast. The region is located geographically within a one-day drive to over a third of the U.S. population and over half of [[Canada]]'s population, which has been a factor in its 21st century emergence as a North American leader in [[light manufacturing]] and [[Distribution (marketing)|commercial distribution]].

Since its settlement in the 18th century, the Lehigh Valley has been the birthplace or home to [[List of people from the Lehigh Valley|several notable Americans]] who have proven influential across a broad range of fields, including academia, art and music, business, government and politics, the military, professional and [[Olympic Games|Olympic]]-level athletics, and other fields.

==History==
{{See also|History of Pennsylvania}}

===Colonial era===
{{Further|Walking Purchase}}
[[File:Shelter House Emmaus PA 2.JPG|thumb|Constructed by [[Pennsylvania Dutch|Pennsylvania German]] settlers in 1734, [[Shelter House]] in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] is the Lehigh Valley's oldest continuously occupied building structure and one of the oldest in the state.]]
[[File:2021 - Monument - Looking West - Allentown PA.jpg|thumb|The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, erected in 1899 at 7th and [[Hamilton Street|Hamilton]] streets in [[Center City Allentown]], honors men from Allentown and its suburbs killed in their volunteer service in the [[47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]] and other [[Union army]] units during the [[American Civil War]].]]
The Lehigh Valley was settled over the first half of the 18th century largely by [[Germans|German]] immigrants fleeing war and [[religious persecution]]. Prior to their arrival, the region was inhabited by [[Lenape]] Indian tribes, who hunted, fished, and quarried [[jasper]] in the region. The region was initially established in 1682 as part of [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]]. [[Shelter House]] in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]], constructed in 1734 by [[Pennsylvania Dutch|Pennsylvania German]] settlers, is the oldest still-standing building structure in the Lehigh Valley and believed to be one of the oldest in the state.<ref>[https://shelterhouseemmaus.org/about/ Shelter House official website], retrieved May 4, 2022</ref>

In 1737, sons of [[Province of Pennsylvania|provincial Pennsylvania]] founder [[William Penn]] acquired much of the Lehigh Valley in the [[Walking Purchase]] during the [[Thirteen Colonies|colonial period]]. Lenape Indians subsequently retaliated with [[Northampton massacre|raids against European settlers]] in the region throughout the 1750s and early 1760s, but were moved out of the region by the mid-1760s. In 1752, the region became part of [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]], and [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] was later separated from Northampton County and formally established in 1812.<ref>[http://www.lehighvalleyhistory.com/ Lehigh Valley History], retrieved May 3, 2022</ref>

=== American Revolutionary War ===
{{Further|Liberty Bell|Pennsylvania in the American Revolution}}

Allentown and its surrounding communities played an important and historic role in the emergence of the [[American Revolution]]. Some of the first resistance to [[British colonization of the Americas|British colonialism]] began in Allentown and its surrounding [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] communities in the Lehigh Valley. As early as June 21, 1774, [[Patriot (American Revolution)|patriot forces]] in Allentown began meeting to formulate resistance plans to British colonial governance. On December 21, 1774, a [[Committee of safety (American Revolution)|Committee of Observation]] was formally established by Allentown-area patriot militias.<ref name="Revolution roused Valley">[https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2001-07-03-3375849-story.html "Revolution roused Valley"], ''The Morning Call'', July 3, 2001</ref> Following the signing of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], the [[Colonial government in the Thirteen Colonies|Colonial British government]] in Allentown began dissolving and these patriot militias seized control, pressuring [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Tories]] out of the region.<ref>[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/research-guides/revolutionary-war-militia-overview/northampton-county-revolutionary-war-militia "Northampton County Revolutionary War militia," Pennsylvania state archives</ref>

In recognition of the strong pro-revolutionary sentiment in the region, [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] was one of only three designated locations, along with Philadelphia and [[Trenton, New Jersey]], where the Declaration was read aloud in public for the first time on July 8, 1776 at noon.<ref>[https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=86216 "The Declaration of Independence in Easton"], The Historical Database]</ref>

Following their victory at the [[Battle of Trenton]] several months later, [[George Washington|Washington]] and his [[Continental Army]] staff traveled through the present-day Lehigh Valley, proceeding up [[Lehigh Street]], which was then called Water Street. Washington and his staff stopped at the foot of Lehigh Street at a large spring on what is the present-day Wire Mill Arboretum in Allentown. They rested there, watered their horses, and then proceeded to their post of duty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lehighvalleyhistory.com/allentown-city|title=Allentown City – Lehigh Valley History|website=lehighvalleyhistory.com|access-date=October 23, 2017}}</ref> Allentown supported the Revolution, establishing the first hospitals for the treatment of wounded Continental Army troops at various city locations, including at the current location of the [[Farr Building]] at 739 [[Hamilton Street]].<ref>[https://www.mcall.com/2002/04/24/plaque-marks-site-of-a-hospital-long-gone-wounded-continental-soldiers-used-to-stay-at-allentown-log-house/ "Plaque marks site of a hospital long gone," ''The Morning Call'', October 4, 2021</ref>

As the Revolutionary War progressed, Washington and his commanders also established two [[prisoner of war|POW]] camps in Allentown, one at 8th and Hamilton streets and another on Gordon Street, to house captured [[Hessian (soldier)|Hessian]] mercenaries.<ref name="wfmz.com">[https://www.wfmz.com/features/historys-headlines/historys-headlines-allentowns-pow-camps/article_0926649c-1604-5c9f-8126-38a813e96a10.html "History's headlines: Allentown's POW camps,"] WFMZ, September 1, 2015</ref> In addition to visiting Allentown after his victory at the Battle of Trenton, Washington returned to the city and region several additional times during and following the Revolution.<ref name="ReferenceA">[https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/george-washington-slept-here-really/article_ceb321c1-7093-515a-bf6f-ae7b871a32ed.html "George Washington slept here, really,"] WFMZ, February 21, 2012</ref>

Allentown also played a historical role in protecting the [[Liberty Bell]] from British capture following the [[Philadelphia campaign|fall of Philadelphia]] to the [[British Army during the American Revolutionary War|British Army]] on September 26, 1777, concealing the Liberty Bell for nine months from September 1777 to June 1778 under floor boards in Allentown's [[High German Evangelical Reformed Church|Zion Reformed Church]]. After Washington and the Continental Army's defeat at the [[Battle of Brandywine]] on September 11, 1777, the revolutionary capital of Philadelphia was left defenseless and [[Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council]], anticipating Philadelphia's fall, ordered that eleven Philadelphia bells, including the Liberty Bell, then known as the State House Bell, be taken down and moved to present-day Allentown, which was then called Northampton Towne. In Allentown, the Liberty Bell and other bells were hidden under floorboards at [[High German Evangelical Reformed Church|Zion Reformed Church]] on West Hamilton Street to protect them from being seized and melted down by the British Army for use as munitions.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===American Civil War===
{{Further|47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment|Pennsylvania in the American Civil War}}
The region again proved influential in the [[American Civil War]]. Following the [[Union army]]'s defeat at the [[Battle of Fort Sumter]] and [[Abraham Lincoln]]'s [[Proclamation 80|proclamation]] on April 15, 1861 calling for state militia to provide 75,000 volunteers to defend the national capital in [[Washington, D.C.]], Allentown immediately deployed its Allen Infantry, which defended Washington, D.C. from [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] attack following [[Fort Sumter]]'s fall. Also known as the Allen Guards, the Allen Infantry mustered in for duty on April 18, 1861. During the late summer and early fall of 1861, members of this unit and other volunteers from within and beyond the Lehigh Valley came together to form the [[47th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]], which was established on August 5 and later proved influential in expanding the Union army's reach into the [[Deep South]], permitting it to launch successful attacks against [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] positions in the [[Battle of St. Johns Bluff]] in 1862 and throughout the [[Red River campaign]] in the [[Trans-Mississippi theater of the American Civil War|Trans-Mississippi theater]] and [[Philip Sheridan|Sheridan]]'s [[Valley campaigns of 1864|Shenadoah Valley campaign]] across Virginia in 1864. These victories helped to tip the Civil War in the Union's favor.<ref name="47th Pennsylvania Volunteers">[https://47thpennsylvaniavolunteers.com/about/ "Snyder, Laurie. ''47th Pennsylvania Volunteers: One Civil War Regiment's Story'', 2014."]</ref>

On October 19, 1899, a monument in honor of the Lehigh Valley men killed in their volunteer service to the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]]'s preservation, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, was erected at Seventh and [[Hamilton Street|Hamilton]] streets in [[Center City Allentown]], where it still stands.<ref>[https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/eagles-to-be-returned-to-the-top-of-soldiers-and-sailors-monument-in-allentown/article_26137534-e351-11eb-93fd-f36f1258f5b5.html "Eagles to be returned to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Allentown,"], WFMZ, July 12, 2021</ref>

===Industrial Revolution===
{{Further|Industrial Revolution in the United States}}
[[File:Bethlehem Steel.jpg|thumb|[[Bethlehem Steel]] in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], was the world's second-largest [[steel]] manufacturer for most of the 20th century, and played an influential role in building many of the nation's most prominent buildings, bridges, ships and military equipment that contributed to the rise of America's defense strength.]]
The opening of the [[Lehigh Canal]] in 1827 contributed significantly to transforming Allentown and the Lehigh Valley from a rural agricultural area dominated by [[German language|German]]-speaking people into one of the nation's first urbanized industrialized areas. The Lehigh Valley underwent significant [[Industrialisation|industrialization]] throughout the 19th and most of the 20th centuries and was a major manufacturing hub in the [[Industrial Revolution in the United States|American Industrial Revolution]].

The Lehigh Valley is named for the [[Lehigh River]], which runs through the region. It owes much of its development and history to [[anthracite|anthracite coal]], [[lumber|timber]], and [[ore]] that was only commercially possible with the development of the Lehigh Canal and the Lehigh Valley's extensive railway infrastructure that permitted these minerals and later the region's manufactured steel to be transported for sale in major national and overseas markets.

The Lehigh Canal operated into the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], feeding ports up and down the [[Delaware River]], the [[Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division)|Pennsylvania Canal]], and transoceanic demand, and was integral to the industrialization of the greater [[Delaware Valley]] region.  [[Morris Canal]], the {{convert|22|-|23|mi}} [[anthracite|anthracite coal]] feeder of [[Delaware and Raritan Canal]]. and locks at [[New Hope, Pennsylvania|New Hope]] on the [[Delaware Canal]] were built to fuel anthracite energy needs of [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], and New York City.

In 1899, [[Bethlehem Steel]] was formed in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]] in the Lehigh Valley. The company developed into the nation's second-largest manufacturer of [[steel]], and its steel was used in developing many of the nation's earliest and largest infrastructure and building projects, including the [[Empire State Building]], [[Madison Square Garden]], and [[Rockefeller Center]] in New York City, [[Merchandise Mart]] in [[Chicago]], the [[George Washington Bridge|George Washington]], [[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge|Verrazzano]], and [[Golden Gate Bridge|Golden Gate]] Bridges, and [[warship]]s and other military equipment that proved essential in American-led victories in both world wars.<ref>[https://www.tnonline.com/20200914/industrial-strength-lehigh-valley-region-played-crucial-role-in-industrial/ Industrial strength: Lehigh Valley region played crucial role in Industrial Revolution,"] ''Times News'', September 14, 2020</ref>

===Bethlehem Steel's downfall===
{{Main|Bethlehem Steel}}
During the 20th century, [[Bethlehem Steel]]'s ascent was prominently associated with the emergence of the U.S. as both a world leader in global manufacturing and as the world's largest economy, and its late 20th century downfall has often been cited as an example of one of the nation's most prominent first stumbling points in the face of growing foreign trade competition and other economic challenges that contributed to the nation's emergence of its [[Rust Belt]].

In 1982, following nearly a century of global leadership, growth, and profitability in steel manufacturing, Bethlehem Steel abruptly reported operating losses of $1.5 billion,  citing foreign competition from [[Asia]]n economies and costly U.S. governmental regulations and labor costs for the losses. The company abruptly reduced operations, resulting in considerable Lehigh Valley layoffs and a dramatic related economic downturn in the region.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2004/04/05/366339/ | work=CNN | first1=Carol J. | last1=Loomis | first2=Christopher | last2=Tkaczyk | title=The Sinking Of Bethlehem Steel A hundred years ago one of the 500's legendary names was born. Its decline and ultimate death took nearly half that long. A FORTUNE autopsy | date=2004-04-05 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529224832/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2004/04/05/366339/ | archive-date=2014-05-29 }}</ref>

Bethlehem Steel continued functioning on a vastly reduced scale for a period, but ultimately ceased steel manufacturing entirely at its primary [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]-based manufacturing plant in 1995. In 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy protection and, in 2003, the company was dissolved. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the downturn and ultimate demise of Bethlehem Steel, once one of the most iconic and prominent symbols of American global economic power and leadership, emerged as an example cited by those who believe American global economic leadership is now in either gradual or even rapid descent.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2021/10/the-day-bethlehem-steel-went-bankrupt-i-never-thought-it-would-really-happen.html "The day Bethlehem Steel went bankruptcy: 'I never thought it would really happen',"] Lehigh Valley Live, October 10, 2001</ref>

===21st century===
In 2023, ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranked the Lehigh Valley the ninth-best place in the nation to retire.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalley.org/lehigh-valley-ranked-as-one-of-the-best-places-to-retire/ "Lehigh Valley Ranked As One of the Best Places to Retire"], Lehigh Valley Economic Development, May 26, 2023</ref> Also in 2023, [[realtor.com]] ranked the Lehigh Valley "the 21st hottest housing market" in the nation.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalley.org/lehigh-valley-among-hottest-housing-markets-and-one-city-ranks-among-100-best-places-to-live/ "Lehigh Valley Among Hottest Housing Markets, and One City Ranks Among 100 Best Places to Live"], Lehigh Valley Economic Development, June 20, 2023</ref>

==Geography==
{{See also|Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Lehigh River|South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)}}
The Lehigh Valley is [[geology|geologically]] and [[geography|geographically]] part of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]], a geographic region made up of [[limestone]] that stretches along the eastern edge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The Lehigh Valley is so named because it is located geographically within an actual [[valley]] formed by the [[Lehigh River]] that lies between two mountain ridges, [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] in the Valley's north and [[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] in the Valley's south.<ref name="LVPC"/> The Lehigh Valley is the lower part of the [[drainage basin]] of the Lehigh River.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lehigh River Water Trail – Northern Section: Map & Guide |url=https://pfbc.pa.gov/watertrails/lehigh/northern/lehigh_north_guide_map.pdf |publisher=[[Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission]]|quote=At the Carbon-Lehigh-Northampton county line, the river makes a dramatic cut through the Blue Mountain. Called Lehigh Gap, it separates the upper portion of the watershed from the two-county “Lehigh Valley,” as Lehigh and Northampton counties are called.}}</ref>

== Cities and location ==
[[File:2017 - Hamilton Street Christmas Skyline - Allentown PA.jpg|thumb|The city skyline of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], the largest city in the Lehigh Valley and third-largest city in Pennsylvania at Christmas 2017]]
[[Image:easton-pburg-toll-bridge.jpg|thumb|The [[Easton–Phillipsburg Toll Bridge]] connects [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] and [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey]], in the Lehigh Valley]]
[[File:XMAS AT LEHIGH COUNTY ZOO.jpg|thumb|Christmas lights at [[Lehigh Valley Zoo]] in [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]] in December 2020]]
The Lehigh Valley has three principal cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The region is located between two of the nation's largest population centers, {{convert|90|mi}} west of [[New York City]], the nation's [[List of United States cities by population|largest]] and [[List of largest cities|world's 11th-largest]] city, and {{convert|60|mi}} north of [[Philadelphia]], the nation's [[List of United States cities by population|sixth-largest]] and [[List of largest cities|world's 68th-largest]] city.
The region borders [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]] and the [[Coal Region]] to its north, the [[Delaware River]] and [[Warren County, New Jersey]] to its east, [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks]] and [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]] Counties in suburban Philadelphia to its south, and [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks]] and [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill]] Counties to its west.

===Cities===
* [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] (125,845)
* [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]] (75,781)
* [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] (28,127)

=== Municipalities with more than 10,000 people ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem Township]] (25,861)
* [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] (11,652)
* [[Forks Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Forks Township]] (16,077)
* [[Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township (Northampton)]] (11,785)
* [[Lehigh Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh Township]] (10,773)
* [[Lower Macungie Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Macungie Township]] (32,426)
* [[Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Saucon Township]] (10,772)
* [[Northampton, Pennsylvania|Northampton]] (10,395)
* [[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall Township]] (15,655)
* [[Palmer Township, Pennsylvania|Palmer Township]] (22,317)
* [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]] (13,621)
* [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]] (19,180)
* [[Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Macungie Township]] (26,377)
* [[Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Saucon Township]] (16,973)
* [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]] (26,738)
{{div col end}}

=== Municipalities with fewer than 10,000 but more than 5,000 people ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Ancient Oaks, Pennsylvania|Ancient Oaks]]
* [[Allen Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Allen Township]]
* [[Bangor, Pennsylvania|Bangor]]
* [[Breinigsville, Pennsylvania|Breinigsville]]
* [[Bushkill Township, Pennsylvania|Bushkill Township]]
* [[Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|Catasauqua]]
* [[Chestnut Hill, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Chestnut Hill]]
* [[Hellertown, Pennsylvania|Hellertown]]
* [[Lower Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Nazareth Township]]
* [[Moore Township, Pennsylvania|Moore Township]]
* [[Nazareth, Pennsylvania|Nazareth]]
* [[Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania|Plainfield Township]]
* [[Upper Milford Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Milford Township]]
* [[Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Mount Bethel Township]]
* [[Upper Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Nazareth Township]]
* [[Washington Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Washington Township (Lehigh)]]
* [[Washington Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Washington Township (Northampton)]]
* [[Williams Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Williams Township]]
* [[Wilson, Pennsylvania|Wilson]]
{{div col end}}

=== Municipalities with fewer than 5,000 people ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Alburtis, Pennsylvania|Alburtis]]
* [[Bath, Pennsylvania|Bath]]
* [[Chapman, Pennsylvania|Chapman]]
* [[Coopersburg, Pennsylvania|Coopersburg]]
* [[Coplay, Pennsylvania|Coplay]]
* [[East Allen Township, Pennsylvania|East Allen Township]]
* [[East Bangor, Pennsylvania|East Bangor]]
* [[Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania|Fountain Hill]]
* [[Freemansburg, Pennsylvania|Freemansburg]]
* [[Glendon, Pennsylvania|Glendon]]
* [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township (Lehigh)]]
* [[Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Heidelberg Township]]
* [[Lower Milford Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Milford Township]]
* [[Lower Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Mount Bethel Township]]
* [[Lowhill Township, Pennsylvania|Lowhill Township]]
* [[Lynn Township, Pennsylvania|Lynn Township]]
* [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]
* [[North Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|North Catasauqua]]
* [[Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania|Pen Argyl]]
* [[Portland, Pennsylvania|Portland]]
* [[Roseto, Pennsylvania|Roseto]]
* [[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]]
* [[Stockertown, Pennsylvania|Stockertown]]
* [[Tatamy, Pennsylvania|Tatamy]]
* [[Walnutport, Pennsylvania|Walnutport]]
* [[Weisenberg Township, Pennsylvania|Weisenberg Township]]
* [[West Easton, Pennsylvania|West Easton]]
* [[Wind Gap, Pennsylvania|Wind Gap]]
{{div col end}}

=== Census-designated places and villages ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Ackermanville, Pennsylvania|Ackermanville]]
* [[Balliettsville, Pennsylvania|Balliettsville]]
* [[Beersville, Pennsylvania|Beersville]]
* [[Belfast, Pennsylvania|Belfast]]
* [[Berlinsville, Pennsylvania|Berlinsville]]
* [[Best Station, Pennsylvania|Best Station]]
* [[Butztown, Pennsylvania|Butztown]]
* [[Cementon, Pennsylvania|Cementon]]
* [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]
* [[Cetronia, Pennsylvania|Cetronia]]
* [[Cherryville, Pennsylvania|Cherryville]]
* [[Chickentown, Pennsylvania|Chickentown]]
* [[Christian Springs, Pennsylvania|Christian Springs]]
* [[Colesville, Pennsylvania|Colesville]]
* [[Danielsville, Pennsylvania|Danielsville]]
* [[DeSales University, Pennsylvania|DeSales University]]
* [[Dorneyville, Pennsylvania|Dorneyville]]
* [[Eagle Point, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Eagle Point]]
* [[Eastlawn Gardens, Pennsylvania|Eastlawn Gardens]]
* [[East Texas, Pennsylvania|East Texas]]
* [[Egypt, Pennsylvania|Egypt]]
* [[Emanuelsville, Pennsylvania|Emanuelsville]]
* [[Emerald, Pennsylvania|Emerald]]
* [[Flicksville, Pennsylvania|Flicksville]]
* [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]]
* [[Franks Corner, Pennsylvania|Franks Corner]]
* [[Friedensville, Pennsylvania|Friedensville]]
* [[Fullerton, Pennsylvania|Fullerton]]
* [[Gauff Hill, Pennsylvania|Gauff Hill]]
* [[Germansville, Pennsylvania|Germansville]]
* [[Hanoverville, Pennsylvania|Hanoverville]]
* [[Hensingersville, Pennsylvania|Hensingersville]]
* [[Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania|Hokendauqua]]
* [[Hollo, Pennsylvania|Hollo]]
* [[Hosensack, Pennsylvania|Hosensack]]
* [[Ironton, Pennsylvania|Ironton]]
* [[Jacksonville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Jacksonville]]
* [[Katellen, Pennsylvania|Katellen]]
* [[Klecknersville, Pennsylvania|Klecknersville]]
* [[Kuhnsville, Pennsylvania|Kuhnsville]]
* [[Lanark, Pennsylvania|Lanark]]
* [[Laurys Station, Pennsylvania|Laurys Station]]
* [[Limeport, Pennsylvania|Limeport]]
* [[Locust Valley, Pennsylvania|Locust Valley]]
* [[Lynnport, Pennsylvania|Lynnport]]
* [[Martins Creek, Pennsylvania|Martin's Creek]]
* [[Mickleys, Pennsylvania|Mickleys]]
* [[Middletown, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Middletown]]
* [[Moorestown, Pennsylvania|Moorestown]]
* [[Morgan Hill, Pennsylvania|Morgan Hill]]
* [[Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania|Mount Bethel]]
* [[Neffs, Pennsylvania|Neffs]]
* [[Newburg, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Newburg]]
* [[New Smithville, Pennsylvania|New Smithville]]
* [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]]
* [[Old Orchard, Pennsylvania|Old Orchard]]
* [[Old Zionsville, Pennsylvania|Old Zionsville]]
* [[Orefield, Pennsylvania|Orefield]]
* [[Palmer Heights, Pennsylvania|Palmer Heights]]
* [[Pleasant Corners, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Pleasant Corners]]
* [[Powder Valley, Pennsylvania|Powder Valley]]
* [[Raubsville, Pennsylvania|Raubsville]]
* [[Scherersville, Pennsylvania|Scherersville]]
* [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]]
* [[Schoenersville, Pennsylvania|Schoenersville]]
* [[Seidersville, Pennsylvania|Seidersville]]
* [[Shimerville, Pennsylvania|Shimerville]]
* [[Sigmund, Pennsylvania|Sigmund]]
* [[Slatedale, Pennsylvania|Slatedale]]
* [[Slateford, Pennsylvania|Slateford]]
* [[Stiles, Pennsylvania|Stiles]]
* [[Summit Lawn, Pennsylvania|Summit Lawn]]
* [[Trexlertown, Pennsylvania|Trexlertown]]
* [[Treichlers, Pennsylvania|Treichlers]]
* [[Vera Cruz, Pennsylvania|Vera Cruz]]
* [[Walbert, Pennsylvania|Walbert]]
* [[Wanamakers, Pennsylvania|Wanamakers]]
* [[Wassergass, Pennsylvania|Wassergass]]
* [[Werleys Corner, Pennsylvania|Werleys Corner]]
* [[Wescosville, Pennsylvania|Wescosville]]
* [[West Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|West Catasauqua]]
* [[Zionsville, Pennsylvania|Zionsville]]
* [[Zucksville, Pennsylvania|Zucksville]]
{{div col end}}

== Metropolitan and Combined Statistical Areas ==
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton,<br />PA–NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area
| type                            = [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
| image_skyline                   = {{Photomontage
|photo1a = Allentown.jpg
|photo1b = Monocacy Creek Bethlehem.jpg
|photo2b = Easton Skyline.jpg
|photo2a = Pburg-281.jpg
|size=300
|border=0
|color=
}}
| image_caption                   = Clockwise from top left: [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]], and [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey|Phillipsburg, NJ]]
| image_map                       = Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area map.png
| map_caption                     = Map of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1               = States
| subdivision_name1               = {{flag|Pennsylvania}}<br />{{flag|New Jersey}}
| subdivision_type2               = Principal cities
| subdivision_name2               = [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]<br />[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]<br />[[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]]
| subdivision_type3               = Rank
| subdivision_name3               = [[Statistical area (United States)|68th]]
| unit_pref                       = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CBABE"/>
| area_total_sq_mi                = 1453
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 
| area_water_sq_mi                = 
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_ft                    =

<!-- population -->| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 861,889<ref name=USCensus2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website|date=April 1, 2020|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>
| population_as_of                = 2020 U.S. Census
| population_density_sq_mi        = auto
| population_note                 = 
| timezone                        = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|ET]]
| utc_offset                      = −5
| timezone_DST                    = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = −4
| postal_code_type                = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code                     = 
| area_codes                       = [[Area codes 610, 484, and 835|484 and 610]]
| website                         = 
| footnotes                       = 
| official_name                   = 
}}
The '''Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area''' is a [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]] that includes [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]] in the [[Coal Region]], [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]] and [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton]] counties in the Lehigh Valley, and [[Warren County, New Jersey|Warren County]] in the [[Skylands Region|Skylands]] region of northwest [[New Jersey]].<ref name="CBABE">{{cite web |title=Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=310XX00US10900 |publisher=Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name="CRABE">{{cite web |title=Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area |url=https://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US10900-allentown-bethlehem-easton-pa-nj-metro-area/ |publisher=Census Reporter}}</ref> As of 2023 census estimates, it is the [[Metropolitan statistical area|67th-largest metropolitan area]] in the nation with a population of 873,555.<ref name="OMB2013">[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf www.whitehouse.gov]</ref>

In July 2023, the area was added to the newly created [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]-[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]-[[East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania|East Stroudsburg]] PA-NJ [[Combined statistical area|Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA).<ref>{{cite web |title=Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |website=[[White House]] |publisher=Office of Management and Budget |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref> This area also includes [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe County]] in the [[Pocono Mountains]] region of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the Allentown-Bethlehem-East Stroudsburg, PA-NJ CSA had a population of 1,030,216, the 59th-largest CSA in the nation.

== Climate ==
{{See also|Climate of Allentown, Pennsylvania}}
The Lehigh Valley has four distinct seasons, which typically include hot and humid summers, cold winters, and short and mild springs and falls. It has a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfa''/''Dfb'') and the [[hardiness zone]] ranges from 5b in higher elevation locations in northern [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]] to 6b, the principal zone in [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]], [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton]], and southern [[Warren County, New Jersey|Warren]] Counties.<ref>[https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ Planthardness.com]</ref> The 1991-2020 hardiness zone for [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] and lower elevations is 7a. 
{{Allentown, Pennsylvania weatherbox}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 231341
|1910= 289686
|1920= 346664
|1930= 391516
|1940= 396673
|1950= 437824
|1960= 545057
|1970= 594124
|1980= 635481
|1990= 686688
|2000= 740395
|2010= 821623
|estref=
|2020=861889}}
The Lehigh Valley has a total population of 861,889 residents as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]], making it the [[Pennsylvania metropolitan areas|third-largest metropolitan area]] in Pennsylvania and [[Metropolitan statistical area|68th-largest metropolitan area]] in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |author=American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_&-tree_id=308&-redoLog=true&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=31000US10900&-format=&-_lang=en |title=Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area – ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates: 2008 |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210214002/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_&-tree_id=308&-redoLog=true&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=31000US10900&-format=&-_lang=en |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A 2018 [[American Community Survey]] conducted by the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] found that 87.1% of the Lehigh Valley's population was [[White American]], 4.6% was [[Black people|Black]] or African American, 0.1% was [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]], 2.3% was Asian American, 0.1% was [[Native Hawaiian]], 0.1% were [[Pacific Islander Americans]], 4.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% belonged to two or more races. [[Hispanics]] and Latinos of any race made up 11.3% of the population and represent the Lehigh Valley's fastest-growing demographic. [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] is in the top 1% of all U.S. counties for inward migration from international locations, according to [[SelectUSA Investment Summit|Select USA]], a [[United States Department of Commerce|U.S. Department of Commerce]] program.<ref name=":3" /> The Lehigh Valley leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the 18-to-34 year old demographic, according to 2020 census data.<ref name=":3" />

The Lehigh Valley's population growth is partly a result of a growing influx of residents from [[New Jersey]] and [[New York (state)|New York]] drawn to the Lehigh Valley's lower cost of living, its employment opportunities, and its close proximity to Philadelphia and New York City, the nation's sixth and largest cities, respectively. The Valley's population is expected to increase by 227,000 people by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the state and nation.<ref name=mc71412>{{cite news|last=Kraus|first=Scott|title=No end in sight to Valley's population growth|work=The Morning Call|location=Allentown, Pennsylvania|date=July 14, 2012|url=https://www.mcall.com/2012/07/14/no-end-in-sight-to-valleys-population-growth/|access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
![[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
!2022 Estimate
!2020 Census
!Change
!Area
!Density
|-
|[[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]]
| {{change|invert=on|376317|374557}}
|{{convert|345|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{Pop density|376317|345|sqmi|km2|prec=0}}
|-
|[[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]]
| {{change|invert=on|318526|312951}}
|{{convert|370|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{Pop density|318526|370|sqmi|km2|prec=0}}
|-
|[[Warren County, New Jersey|Warren County]]
| {{change|invert=on|110926|109632}}
|{{convert|356.92|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{Pop density|110926|356.92|sqmi|km2|prec=0}}
|-
|[[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]]
| {{change|invert=on|65460|64749}}
|{{convert|381|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{Pop density|65460|381|sqmi|km2|prec=0}}
|-
|- class=sortbottom style="background:#fbfbbb"
|'''Total MSA Population'''
| {{change|invert=on|871229|861889|bgcolour=#fbfbbb}}
|{{convert|1452.92|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{Pop density|871229|1452.92|sqmi|km2|prec=0}}
|}

Median household income for the region increased from $57,288 to $81,709 between 2015 and 2024.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://lehighvalley.org/lehigh-valleys-economic-renaissance-continues-at-remarkable-pace/|title=Lehigh Valley's economic renaissance continues at remarkable pace|date=2019-07-16|website=Lehigh Valley, PA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-07}}</ref><ref name="lehighvalley.org">{{cite web | url=https://www.lehighvalley.org/get-the-data/ | title=Get the Data - Lehigh Valley, PA - Lehigh Valley Economic Development &#124; Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Pennsylvania }}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Further|Economy of Allentown, Pennsylvania}}
[[File:Bethlehem Steel (24).JPG|thumb|The now dormant but still standing steel stacks of [[Bethlehem Steel]] in Bethlehem, once the second-largest steel manufacturer in the world. The company ceased most of its operations in 1982, declared bankruptcy in 2001, and was dissolved in 2003.]] 
[[File:2007 - PPL Building.jpg|thumb|The Lehigh Valley's tallest building, the 24-story [[PPL Building]] in Allentown]]
[[File:Lehigh-Valley-Hospital.x.jpg|thumb|[[Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest]] on [[Cedar Crest Boulevard]] in Allentown, the largest current employer in the Lehigh Valley and third-largest hospital in Pennsylvania with 877 beds and 46 operating rooms]]
[[File:Lehigh Valley Mall entrance from lifestyle center.jpeg|thumb|[[Lehigh Valley Mall]] in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]], the Lehigh Valley's largest indoor shopping mall with 146 stores]]
The Lehigh Valley's economy has been known historically and globally for its leadership throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in heavy manufacturing. Beginning in the 1980s, however, the region's manufacturing sector declined rapidly as a result of foreign competition, trade practices, operational costs, regulations, and other factors. The most prominent example was the plight of [[Bethlehem Steel]], the world's second-largest manufacturer of steel for much of the 20th century. Headquartered in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], Bethlehem Steel abruptly suspended most of its operations in the early 1980s, declared bankruptcy in 2001, and was dissolved in 2003.

Since the late 20th century, the Lehigh Valley has recovered and evolved substantially from the loss of its once powerful manufacturing and steel production base with other industry sectors having emerged in the region, providing a much more diversified regional economy. The region has frequently been cited and heralded nationally as a [[rust belt]] success story for this dramatic revitalization. ''Site Selection'' magazine has named the Lehigh Valley one of the top 5 best performing mid-sized markets in the country repeatedly since at least 2014 and the top performing mid-sized market in the country as 2023.<ref name="lehighvalley.org"/>

As of 2020, the Valley's top five industries were finance, manufacturing, health care and education, professional and business services, and information. Other major industry sectors in the area include transportation, retail trade, and restaurants and hospitality. In 2023, the Lehigh Valley's total [[gross domestic product]] was $55.7 billion. The Lehigh Valley boasts a workforce of over 365,900 people residing within the region and over 1.7M people residing within a one-hour commute of the region as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lehighvalley.org/about-lehigh-valley/economy/|title=Lehigh Valley Economic Profile – LVEDC|website=Lehigh Valley, PA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref><ref name="lehighvalley.org"/>

===Bethlehem Steel===
{{Main|Bethlehem Steel}}
The Lehigh Valley is known historically for its production of [[steel]], [[Portland cement]], [[silk]], and [[clothing|apparel]]. [[Bethlehem Steel]], founded in 1899 and based in Bethlehem, was a foundation of the Lehigh Valley's economy for nearly a century from 1899 through the early 1980s. At the pinnacle of its success, Bethlehem Steel was the nation's second-largest and one of the world's largest steel manufacturers. Bethlehem Steel was instrumental in the development of many of the nation's most prominent 20th century infrastructure projects. Its steel was used to build [[28 Liberty Street]], [[Chrysler Building]], the [[Empire State Building]], [[Madison Square Garden]], [[Rockefeller Center]], and the [[Waldorf Astoria New York|Waldorf Astoria]] hotel in New York City and [[Merchandise Mart]] in [[Chicago]]. Among major bridges, the company's steel was used to construct the [[George Washington Bridge]] and [[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge]] in New York City, the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] in [[San Francisco]], and the [[Peace Bridge]] between [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] and [[Fort Erie, Ontario]]. The [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Roosevelt administration]] relied heavily on Bethlehem Steel during [[World War II]], utilizing the company to produce the steel necessary for shipbuilding, ammunition, and other military equipment that proved essential to the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]' ability to prevail in these conflicts.

In the late 20th century, however, a variety of factors, including the practices of foreign competitors, began eroding Bethlehem Steel's once historical global leadership in [[steelmaking]]. In 1982, the company announced it was discontinuing most of its operations. In 2001, the company declared bankruptcy. In 2003, it was dissolved. Throughout the late 20th century, other heavy manufacturing companies in the Lehigh Valley that once served as backbones for the region's economy suffered similarly, either downsizing significantly or dissolving, which destabilized the region considerably.

In the early 2000s, seeking to replace the heavy manufacturing companies that had been the region's foundation for decades, the Lehigh Valley began developing other economic sectors, including financial services, health care, life sciences, and technology. The Lehigh Valley also began emerging as a national warehouse and distribution hub, due in part to its proximity to many of the largest U.S. markets and relatively lower operating costs compared to other [[Northeast United States|Northeast U.S.]] regions.<ref>[http://www.lehighvalley.org/page.cfm?pag=303] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725144738/http://www.lehighvalley.org/page.cfm?pag=303|date=July 25, 2010}}</ref> More recently, a movement to reestablish manufacturing activities in the U.S., driven by customer demand for American-made products, faster product delivery, increased overseas wages, and inflated costs and extended timeframes for shipping has led to some renewed growth in the Valley's manufacturing sector.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/07/16/pennsylvanias-lehigh-valley-bounces-back-from-big-steels-departure/#3eb248be3209|title=Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley Bounces Back From Big Steel's Departure|date=July 16, 2019|work=Forbes}}</ref> Several large companies from [[China]] and [[Germany]] have invested tens of millions of dollars into developing significant operations in the Lehigh Valley, which has generated thousands of new jobs in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lvb.com/article/20141006/LVB01/310029999/USA-USA-Competitive-costs-and-consumer-awareness-spur-more-manufacturers--to-set-up-shop-in-America-?-and-the-Greater-Lehigh-Valley|title=U.S.A.! U.S.A.! Competitive costs and consumer awareness spur more manufacturers to set up shop in America — and the Greater Lehigh Valley. – LVB|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>

=== Largest employers ===
As of 2024, the Lehigh Valley's five top private sector employers are: 1.) [[Lehigh Valley Health Network]] (headquartered in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]); 2.) [[St. Luke's University Health Network|St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network]] (headquartered in [[Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania|Fountain Hill]]); 3.) [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] (with a {{cvt|1,100,000|ft|m|1}} square foot facility in [[Palmer Township, Pennsylvania|Palmer Township]]); 4.) [[Mack Trucks]] (with manufacturing headquarters in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]); and 5.) [[Air Products]] (globally headquartered in [[Trexlertown, Pennsylvania|Trexlertown]]).<ref>[https://www.lehighvalley.org/about-lehigh-valley/lehigh-valley-s-largest-private-sector-employers/ "Lehigh Valley's Largest Private-Sector Employers"], Lehigh Valley Economic Development</ref>

Other notable Lehigh Valley companies include [[C. F. Martin & Company]] in [[Nazareth, Pennsylvania|Nazareth]], which manufacturers Martin Guitars, used by some of the world's most prominent [[guitar]]ists, including [[Johnny Cash]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Hank Williams]], [[Neil Young]], [[John Lennon]], [[Willie Nelson]], [[Kurt Cobain]], [[Eric Clapton]], and others.

=== Business and economic environment ===
The Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest-growing and largest economies in Pennsylvania and the United States with a total [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] of $55.7 billion (as of 2023) that saw a four percent increase between 2022 and 2023 alone driven by strong manufacturing, financial, health care, and professional services industry segments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lehighvalley.org/news/news-releases/2024-year-in-review-lehigh-valley-gdp-grows-to-nearly-56b-as-quality-of-life-is-lauded-and-incomes-rise/ | title=2024 Year-in-Review: Lehigh Valley GDP Grows to Nearly $56B, as Quality of Life is Lauded and Incomes Rise }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lehighvalley.org/manufacturing-driving-regional-growth-as-lehigh-valley-gdp-reaches-record-high-40-1-billion/|title=Manufacturing driving growth as Lehigh Valley GDP reaches $40.1 Billion|date=2018-09-18|website=Lehigh Valley, PA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-28 |last1=McEvoy |first1=Colin }}</ref> It was named in March 2024 as the top mid-sized market in America by Site Selection Magazine for economic development based on the number of projects that met certain criteria for job creation, investment and size in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lehighvalley.org/news/news-releases/2024-year-in-review-lehigh-valley-gdp-grows-to-nearly-56b-as-quality-of-life-is-lauded-and-incomes-rise/ | title=2024 Year-in-Review: Lehigh Valley GDP Grows to Nearly $56B, as Quality of Life is Lauded and Incomes Rise }}</ref>

It is centrally located in the [[Northeast megalopolis]] with ease of access and close proximity to several of the largest U.S. markets, population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. The Lehigh Valley is within a one-day drive to over a third of the U.S. population and to over half the population of [[Canada]].<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917,0,1246510.story|title=Inside Amazon's Warehouse|website=The Morning Call|access-date=October 30, 2016 |last1=Call |first1=Allentown Morning }}</ref><ref name="mcall.com2">[http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-jobs-forecast-20121126,0,5205048.story Lehigh Valley job forecast good]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Morning Call'' (2012-11-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-23.</ref> The Valley has a lower cost of living, more affordable real estate, lower taxes, and a larger and more affordable labor pool than many other [[Northeastern United States|Northeastern U.S.]] metropolitan regions.<ref name="autogenerated32">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/county/Lehigh_County-PA.html|title=Lehigh County, Pennsylvania detailed profile – houses, real estate, cost of living, wages, work, agriculture, ancestries, and more|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> These attributes and others, including sizable investments in business development incentive programs and a friendlier regulatory environment, provide the area with a comparatively favorable business climate compared to surrounding metropolitan areas.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-avantor-moving-20110917,0,3065388.story Allentown: Chemical material producer Avantor moves headquarters from New Jersey to Center Valley]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} ''Morning Call''</ref><ref name="mcall.com2" /><ref>[http://www.lehighvalley.org/page.cfm?pag=427] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817210905/http://www.lehighvalley.org/page.cfm?pag=427|date=August 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/2008/08/21/states-business-climate-is-an-attractive-one/|title=State's business climate is an attractive one|date=August 21, 2008|work=Morning Call|access-date=March 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120905092125/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/parkland/mc-parkland-upper-macungie-ocean-spray-20120119,0,2348746.story Upper Macungie: Upper Macungie planners OK Ocean Spray plans] ''Morning Call''</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-27|title=Light industrial rents skyrocket 30% in Northeast, but the Lehigh Valley may benefit|url=https://www.lvb.com/light-industrial-rents-skyrocket-30-northeast-lehigh-valley-may-benefit/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=LVB|language=en-US}}</ref>

Due in large part to this comparably favorable business climate and mature business support programs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nep.benfranklin.org/about/|title=What is BFTP of Northeastern Pennsylvania?|website=BFTP {{!}} NEP|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> the Lehigh Valley has been very successful in luring established businesses as well as new [[Startup company|startup companies]] from higher cost areas such as New York and New Jersey, generating thousands of new jobs and significant new investments in the region.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>[https://archive.today/20120710074838/http://articles.mcall.com/2011-07-02/news/mc-ny-nj-companies-to-pa-20110702_1_avantor-performance-materials-tax-incentives-job-creation-tax-credits Lehigh Valley business: Region entices out-of-state companies' ''Morning Call'']</ref> Large companies such as [[Amazon.com]] have praised the Lehigh Valley for its commitment to business support, infrastructure investment, and incentive programs, citing these as major reasons for their continuing expansions and increased hiring in the region<ref>[https://www.mcall.com/2011/07/06/allentown-cancels-friday-royalaires-concert/ Allentown: Amazon hiring hundreds to Lehigh Valley warehouse] ''Morning Call''</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120903153117/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-bethlehem-warehouse-jobs-20110708,0,4381761.story Bethlehem LVIP jobs: Bethlehem warehouse at LVIP could bring 500 jobs] ''Morning Call''</ref> and [[Allegiant Air]], a low-cost budget airline, opened a new flight base at the [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] in February 2020, noting the area's rapid growth, lower operational business costs, and its proximity to popular destinations as significant reasons for expanding their Lehigh Valley International Airport flights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/2019/08/allegiant-bringing-new-base-to-lehigh-valley-international-airport.html|title=Allegiant opening a new flight base at Lehigh Valley International Airport|last=Cassi|first=Sarah|date=2019-08-20|website=lehighvalleylive.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref>

Other large national and international companies either based in the Lehigh Valley or with significant operations there include [[Broadcom Corporation]] (in Allentown), Avantor Performance Materials (in Allentown), [[Air Products]] (in [[Trexlertown, Pennsylvania|Trexlertown]]), [[Crayola]] (in Easton), [[Buckeye Partners]] (in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]), [[HeidelbergCement]] (in [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]]), [[Just Born]] (in Bethlehem, maker of [[Peeps]] candies), [[Mack Trucks]] (in Allentown), [[C. F. Martin & Company|Martin Guitar]] (in [[Nazareth, Pennsylvania|Nazareth]]), [[Olympus Corporation]] (in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]), [[OraSure Technologies]] (in Bethlehem), [[PPL Corporation]] (in Allentown), [[Wind Creek Bethlehem]] (in Bethlehem), [[Dun & Bradstreet]] (in Center Valley), [[Victaulic]] (in Easton), and others.

In 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Lehigh Valley was recognized by ''[[Site Selection]]'' magazine as the second-best performing region of its size for economic development in the nation and the best performing region in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast U.S.]].<ref name="lvb.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.lvb.com/article/20140305/LVB01/140309965/Lehigh-Valley-takes-No-2-spot-on-national-economic-development-list|title=Lehigh Valley takes No. 2 spot on national economic development list – LVB|date=March 5, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> It was ranked by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' in 2015 as one of the top 10 best places in the U.S. to locate corporate [[finance]] and [[information technology]] operations, including call and IT support centers.<ref name="fortune.com2">{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2015/05/19/best-us-cities-in-house-services/|title=10 best U.S. cities for your company's finance and IT operations}}</ref><ref name="Arend">{{Cite news|url=https://siteselection.com/issues/2016/nov/lehigh-valley-pennsylvania-where-to-grow-your-back-office.cfm|title=Where to Grow Your Back Office {{!}} Site Selection|last=Arend|first=Mark|website=Site Selection|language=en|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref> Allentown, the Lehigh Valley's largest city, was cited as a "national success story" in April 2016 by the [[Urban Land Institute]] for its downtown redevelopment and transformation that has led to $1 billion worth of new development projects there between 2015 and 2019, one of only six communities nationally to achieve this distinction.<ref>"Downtown Allentown called a national success story by Urban Land Institute – LVB". Retrieved October 30, 2016. Cite web requires |website= (help) {{verify source|date=September 2019|reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/912956758 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot in plain-text form. The original cite can be found at Special:Permalink/911686920 (or in a rev close to it) as cite #13 - find and verify the cite and replace this template with it (3). [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>Farris, Jaccii (April 19, 2019). "Developer gives update on Allentown's NIZ, revitalization efforts". WFMZ. Retrieved August 7, 2019. {{verify source|date=September 2019|reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/912956758 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot in plain-text form. The original cite can be found at Special:Permalink/911686920 (or in a rev close to it) as cite #14 - find and verify the cite and replace this template with it (3). [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>

The Lehigh Valley is one of the leading areas on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] for [[warehouse]]s and [[distribution center]]s. Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the nation's "second [[Inland Empire]]" for freight.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-inland-empire-20160907-story.html|title=Is the Lehigh Valley the next 'Inland Empire'?|last=Assad|first=Matt|work=themorningcall.com|access-date=2017-08-20|language=en-US}}</ref> Large national companies that own and operate warehouses and distribution centers in the Lehigh Valley include [[Amazon.com]], [[B. Braun Melsungen|B. Braun]], [[Samuel Adams (beer)|Boston Beer Company]] (brewer of [[Samuel Adams (beer)|Samuel Adams]] brand beer), [[BMW]], [[Bridgestone]], [[FedEx SmartPost]], [[FedEx Ground]], [[Home Depot]], [[J. C. Penney]], [[Nestlé Purina PetCare|Nestlé Purina]], [[ShopRite (United States)|ShopRite]], [[Stitch Fix]], [[The Coca-Cola Company]], [[Ocean Spray (cooperative)|Ocean Spray]], Phillips Pet Food and Supplies, [[True Value]], [[Uline]], [[Zulily]], and others. Most of these warehouses and distribution centers are located along the Valley's southern [[U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 22]], [[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 78]], and [[Interstate 476]] corridors, which provide direct access to numerous major markets throughout the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast U.S.]] and beyond.

In September 2018, [[FedEx Ground]] constructed their largest distribution hub in the country near Lehigh Valley International Airport at a cost of $335 million. This hub can process up to 45,000 packages per hour and employs over 2,000 people. By 2030, it is expected to have a total size of {{convert|1100000|sqft|m2}} square feet and employ over 3,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lehighvalley.org/fedex-ground-celebrates-opening-of-lehigh-valley-distribution-hub/|title=FedEx Ground celebrates opening of Lehigh Valley distribution hub|date=2018-11-12|website=Lehigh Valley, PA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lehighvalley.org/fedex-ground-celebrates-opening-of-lehigh-valley-distribution-hub/|title=FedEx Ground celebrates opening of Lehigh Valley distribution hub|date=2018-11-12|website=Lehigh Valley, PA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-14}}</ref>

The Boston Beer Company operates its largest U.S. production brewery facility in [[Breinigsville, Pennsylvania|Breinigsville]] in the Lehigh Valley, which produces over 2/3rds of all [[Samuel Adams beer]] globally. The company continues to upgrade and expand operations at this facility and has cited the location as central to its overall corporate success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.mcall.com/2012-01-27/business/mc-allentown-boston-beer-20120127_1_craft-beers-samuel-adams-beer-yuengling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903102524/http://articles.mcall.com/2012-01-27/business/mc-allentown-boston-beer-20120127_1_craft-beers-samuel-adams-beer-yuengling|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2014|title=Samuel Adams beer-maker Boston Beer continues to invest in Valley|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> Additionally, [[Ocean Spray (cooperative)|Ocean Spray]], a popular maker of juice drinks and other fruit products, produces 40 percent of its total national beverage volume at its Lehigh Valley plant in Breinigsville.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/index.ssf/2014/10/ocean_spray_facility_in_lehigh.html|title=Ocean Spray plant in Lehigh Valley has high-tech features that set it apart, officials say|newspaper=Lehighvalleylive |date=October 23, 2014}}</ref> Due to Pennsylvania's lack of an excise tax on [[cigar]]s and the Lehigh Valley's close proximity to major markets, the region is home to some of the nation's largest cigar distributors and retailers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/2010/07/05/pennsylvania-snuffs-tobacco-taxes-for-second-straight-year/|title=Pennsylvania snuffs tobacco taxes for second straight year – Morning Call|date=December 31, 1989|publisher=Articles.mcall.com|access-date=March 23, 2011}}</ref>

=== Retail shopping ===
The largest retail shopping area in the Lehigh Valley is the [[Pennsylvania Route 145|PA Route 145/MacArthur Road]] corridor, just north of Allentown in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]], which is anchored by [[Lehigh Valley Mall]] and [[Whitehall Mall]].

Other Lehigh Valley malls include [[Palmer Park Mall]] in Easton, [[South Mall]] in [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]], and [[Westgate Mall (Pennsylvania)|Westgate Mall]] in Bethlehem. In October 2006, [[Promenade Saucon Valley]], located off [[Pennsylvania Route 309|Route 309]] in [[Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Saucon Township]] in the Lehigh Valley, opened. Promenade is roughly half the size of the Lehigh Valley Mall but features higher end stores not available in Lehigh Valley Mall. In 2011, [[The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem]] opened at [[Wind Creek Bethlehem]] in Bethlehem, becoming the Lehigh Valley's first outlet mall.<ref name=lvl>{{cite news |first=Sara K. |last=Satullo |date=November 1, 2011 |title=Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opens outlet mall this morning|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2011/11/sands_casino_opens_outlet_mall.html |work= [[The Express-Times]] |location= Easton, Pennsylvania |access-date= November 4, 2011}}</ref>{{Lehigh Valley Malls}}

==Media==
{{Main|Media in the Lehigh Valley}}

===Television===
The Lehigh Valley is part of the Philadelphia television market, the nation's [[List of United States television markets|fourth-largest]] television market, and also receives television stations from the New York City and [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]]/[[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre]] television markets. Lehigh Valley–based stations  include [[WBPH-TV]], a Christian television licensed to Bethlehem with studios in Allentown, [[WFMZ-TV]], an independent commercial television station on [[South Mountain (Eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] in Allentown, and [[WLVT-TV]], the [[PBS]] station licensed to Allentown with studios in Bethlehem.
{{Philly TV}}
{{Scranton/Wilkes-Barre TV}}
{{New York TV}}

===Radio===
The Lehigh Valley is home to over 35 radio stations, including both [[English (language)|English]] and [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]]-language stations and a range of formats, including [[all-news radio|all-news]], [[sports radio]], [[talk radio]], and [[NPR]]. Lehigh Valley station music formats include [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40]], [[hip hop music|hip hop]], [[Rhythmic contemporary|rhythmic]], [[country music|country]], [[oldies]], [[polka]], [[soft rock]], [[classic rock]], [[hard rock]], and several [[campus radio]] stations.
{{Allentown Radio}}

===Newspapers===
Lehigh Valley–based daily newspapers include ''[[The Morning Call]]'' and ''[[The Express-Times]]'', both of which have been media sources in the Lehigh Valley dating back to the mid-1800s, and [[NJ.com]], an aggregation website that carries news articles from multiple Lehigh Valley and [[New Jersey]]–based newspapers.

Two magazines cover the region. ''Lehigh Valley Style'' is a regional lifestyle publication based in [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]]. ''Lehigh Valley Magazine'', based in [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], is the region's oldest lifestyle publication.

===Film===
{{Main|List of films shot in the Lehigh Valley}}
Multiple movies have been fully or partially filmed in the Lehigh Valley, including [[M. Night Shyamalan]]'s ''[[Glass (2019 film)|Glass]]'' in 2019, indie dark-comedy ''Getting Grace'' starring [[Daniel Roebuck]], [[Taylor A. Purdee]]'s [[folk rock]] [[musical film|musical]] ''[[Killian & the Comeback Kids]]'', and others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mattanza |first=Alessandra |date=July 13, 2018 |title=Pennsylvania on the road |url=https://www.iconmagazine.it/viaggi/pennsylvania-rock/ |website=Icon magazine |language=it}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Muhlenberg College 04.JPG|thumb|The campus of [[Muhlenberg College]] in Allentown in March 2014]]

===Colleges and universities===
Seven colleges and universities are based in the Lehigh Valley:
* [[Cedar Crest College]] (in Allentown)
* [[DeSales University]] (in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]])
* [[Lafayette College]] (in Easton)
* [[Lehigh University]] (in Bethlehem)
* [[Moravian University]] (in Bethlehem)
* [[Muhlenberg College]] (in Allentown)
* [[Penn State Lehigh Valley]] (in Center Valley)

The Lehigh Valley has two [[community college]]s:
* [[Lehigh Carbon Community College]] (with campuses in Allentown, [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]], and [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]])
* [[Northampton Community College]] (with campuses in Bethlehem, [[Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem Township]], and [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe County]])

===High schools===
[[File:William Allen High School, Allentown PA.jpg|thumb|[[William Allen High School|Allen High School]], one of Allentown's two large public high schools in the [[Allentown School District]], in July 2008]]
[[File:Liberty High School, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|[[Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)|Liberty High School]] in Bethlehem, in February 2020]]
The Lehigh Valley is the third-most populous metropolitan region in Pennsylvania and served by several large school districts, public and private high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, including:
{|
|- valign=top
|
* [[William Allen High School|Allen High School]] (in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]])
* [[Allentown Central Catholic High School]] (in Allentown)
* [[Bangor Area High School]] (in [[Bangor, Pennsylvania|Bangor]])
* [[Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School]] (in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]])
* [[Bethlehem Catholic High School]] (in Bethlehem)
* [[Catasauqua High School]] (in [[Northampton, Pennsylvania|Northampton]])
* [[Louis E. Dieruff High School|Dieruff High School]] (in Allentown)
* [[Easton Area High School]] (in [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]])
* [[Emmaus High School]] (in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]])
* Executive Education Academy Charter School (in Allentown)
* [[Freedom High School (Pennsylvania)|Freedom High School]] (in [[Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem Township]])
* [[Lehigh Career and Technical Institute]] (in [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]])
* Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School (in Bethlehem) 
* [[Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts]] (in Bethlehem)
* Lehigh Valley Christian Academy (in Allentown)
* [[Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)|Liberty High School]] (in Bethlehem)
* [[Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School]] (in Allentown)
|
* [[Moravian Academy]] (in Bethlehem)
* [[Nazareth Area High School]] (in [[Nazareth, Pennsylvania|Nazareth]])
* [[Northampton Area High School]] (in [[Northampton, Pennsylvania|Northampton]])
* [[Northern Lehigh High School]] (in [[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]])
* [[Northwestern Lehigh School District|Northwestern Lehigh High School]] (in [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]])
* [[Notre Dame High School (Easton, Pennsylvania)|Notre Dame High School]] (in Easton)
* [[Parkland High School (Pennsylvania)|Parkland High School]] (in Allentown)
* [[Pen Argyl Area High School]] (in [[Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania|Pen Argyl]])
* [[Roberto Clemente Charter School]] (in Allentown)
* [[Salisbury High School (Pennsylvania)|Salisbury High School]] (in [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]])
* [[Salem Christian School]] (in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]])
* [[Saucon Valley High School]] (in [[Hellertown, Pennsylvania|Hellertown]])
* [[Southern Lehigh High School]] (in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]])
* [[Whitehall High School (Pennsylvania)|Whitehall High School]] (in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]])
* [[Wilson Area High School]] (in Easton)
|}

The largest high schools in the Lehigh Valley and the [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]] (18 in all) compete athletically in the [[Eastern Pennsylvania Conference]]. Smaller Lehigh Valley high schools compete in the [[Colonial League]].

==Sports==
[[File:Cokepark allentown.jpg|thumb|[[Coca-Cola Park]] in East Allentown, home field for the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]], the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] affiliate of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], in April 2009]]
[[File:Lafayette2006PLchampsboard.JPG|thumb|[[Fisher Stadium]]'s scoreboard in Easton following [[Lafayette Leopards football|Lafayette College]]'s victory over [[Lehigh Mountain Hawks football|Lehigh University]] in the 142nd edition of [[The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)|The Rivalry]] in 2006. The series between the two colleges, which are {{convert|17|mi}} away from each other in the Lehigh Valley, is the [[List of NCAA college football rivalry games|most-played rivalry]] in [[college football]] history with 158 meetings since 1884.]]
[[File:1955 - Allentown School District Stadium.jpg|thumb|[[J. Birney Crum Stadium]], a 15,000-capacity stadium in Allentown, is the largest [[high school football]] stadium in the [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic United States]] and the home field for three [[Eastern Pennsylvania Conference]] high school football teams: [[William Allen High School|Allen]], [[Allentown Central Catholic High School|Central Catholic]], and [[Louis E. Dieruff High School|Dieruff]] high schools.]]
[[File:PPL Center Allentown interior.jpg|thumb|[[PPL Center]] in Allentown, the home arena of the [[Lehigh Valley Phantoms]] of the [[American Hockey League]] and the primary development team of the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]]]
[[File:Cyclists on the valley preferred cycling center track 2.jpg|thumb|[[Valley Preferred Cycling Center]] in [[Breinigsville, Pennsylvania|Breinigsville]], in April 2014]]
{{See also|Sports in Allentown, Pennsylvania}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Club
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | Sport
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | Established
! scope="col" | Championships
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;"|[[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]]
| [[International League|IL]]
| Baseball
| [[Coca-Cola Park]]
| 2008
| 0
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" |[[Lehigh Valley Phantoms]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| Ice hockey
| [[PPL Center]]
| 1996
| 2 [[1997–98 AHL season|1997-98]] and [[2004–05 AHL season|2004-05]]
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" |[[Lehigh Valley Roller Derby]]
| [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]
| Roller Derby
| Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink
| 2006
| 0
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" |[[Lehigh Valley United]]
| [[USL League Two]]
| Soccer
| Rocco Calvo Field
| 2009
| 1 [[2012 NPSL season|2012 (conference)]]
|-
|}

===Football===
====College football====
{{See also|Lafayette Leopards football|Lehigh Mountain Hawks football|Muhlenberg Mules|The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)}}
The Lehigh Valley is home to the nation's longest-standing [[college football]] rivalry in the nation. Known as "[[The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)|The Rivalry]]," [[Lafayette Leopards football|Lafayette College]] in Easton and [[Lehigh Mountain Hawks football|Lehigh University]] in Bethlehem have played each other 160 times since 1884, making it the [[List of NCAA college football rivalry games|most-played rivalry]] in [[college football]] history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2007/11/13/Sports/Race-LehighLafayette.Rivalry.Dividing.Families.For.144.Years-3096221.shtml|title=Lehigh-Lafayette Rivalry Dividing Families for 144 Years|work=The Daily Orange|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=March 23, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013210527/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2007/11/13/Sports/Race-LehighLafayette.Rivalry.Dividing.Families.For.144.Years-3096221.shtml|archive-date=October 13, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Two other Lehigh Valley colleges, [[Moravian University]] in Bethlehem and [[Muhlenberg Mules|Muhlenberg College]] in Allentown, have competitive collegiate football programs; Muhlenberg plays their home football games at [[Scotty Wood Stadium]] on the Muhlenberg campus in Allentown.

====National Football League====
From 1996 until 2012, the Lehigh Valley hosted the pre-season [[Training camp (National Football League)|training camp]] for the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[Philadelphia Eagles]], which was held each summer at [[Goodman Stadium]] and other football fields at [[Lehigh University]] in Bethlehem. On August 5, 2012, Garrett Reid, the 29-year-old son of then Eagles head coach [[Andy Reid]], was found dead in his Lehigh University dorm room during training camp from a [[heroin]] overdose.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/10/18/garrett-reid-cause-death/1641625/ "Coroner: Garrett Reid died of heroin overdose,"] ''USA Today'', October 18, 2012</ref> The following year, in 2013, following the Garrett Reid overdose and the hiring of new head coach [[Chip Kelly]], the Eagles chose to move their training camp to the NovaCare Complex in [[South Philadelphia]].

=== Gymnastics ===
{{Main|Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center}}
[[Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center]] in Allentown has been the training ground for numerous [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] and U.S. national gymnastics champions. In 2003, [[CNN]] aired a highly critical documentary on the center, ''[[Achieving the Perfect 10]]'', which depicted its as a hugely demanding and excessively competitive training program.

=== High school athletics ===
{{See also|Eastern Pennsylvania Conference|The Streak (Easton High School Wrestling)}}
The 18 largest high schools in the Lehigh Valley and [[Pocono Mountains|Pocono Mountain]] regions compete athletically in the [[Eastern Pennsylvania Conference]] (EPC), one of the nation's premier athletic divisions. An additional 14 Lehigh Valley high schools too small to compete in the EPC belong to the [[Colonial League]].

The EPC has produced numerous professional and [[Olympics|Olympic]] athletes, including [[Major League Baseball|MLB]], the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], and the [[National Football League|NFL]] professional athletes. The EPC's [[high school football|football]], [[basketball]], [[field hockey]], and [[scholastic wrestling|wrestling]] teams are often ranked among the nation's best.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/rankingsindex.htm |title=Super 25 prep football regional rankings |work=USA Today |date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=January 9, 2009}}</ref> In high school field hockey, [[Emmaus High School]] in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] has won 33 consecutive EPC championships as of 2021.<ref>[https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/highschoolsports/2021/11/the-streak-continues-emmaus-field-hockey-wins-33rd-district-11-title-in-a-row.html "The streak continues: Emmaus field hockey wins 33rd District 11 title in a row"], ''The Morning Call'', November 6, 2021</ref>

The Lehigh Valley's high school wrestling programs have been described as "among the nation’s best in the sport for nearly three decades"<ref>[https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-district11-team-duals-notebook-0129-story.html "Wrestling: Why District 11 2A teams have tougher path to state final,"] ''The Morning Call'', January 30, 2019, retrieved January 30, 2019.</ref> and ''WIN'' magazine has ranked the region's wrestling programs best in the nation.<ref>[https://www.win-magazine.com/2010/11/02/wins-top-ten-wrestling-hot-spots-in-the-united-states/ "WIN's top ten wrestling 'hot spots' in the United States,"] WIN, November 2, 2010</ref>

=== Professional baseball ===
{{Main|Lehigh Valley IronPigs}}
In 2008, [[Coca-Cola Park]], an 8,278-seat [[Minor League Baseball|Minor League baseball]] stadium, opened in east-side Allentown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com/cocacola/stadiuminfo/|title=Coca-Cola Park Info, IronPigs Baseball Official Website|access-date=May 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509012145/http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com/cocacola/stadiuminfo/|archive-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The stadium is the home field for the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]], the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] affiliate of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] of [[Major League Baseball]]. The team previously played as the [[Ottawa Lynx]] from 1993 until moving to Allentown in 2008.<ref>[https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/visit-coca-cola-park-home-of-the-lehigh-valley-ironpigs "Visit Lehigh Valley's Coca-Cola Park"], MLB.com, September 7, 2021</ref> The club's move to the Lehigh Valley brought the franchise closer to Philadelphia and the Phillies' large Lehigh Valley fan base. The team's name is a reference to [[pig iron]], which is used in [[steelmaking]] for which the Lehigh Valley area is known worldwide. Groundbreaking ceremonies for Coca-Cola Park were held September 6, 2006, and construction was completed in December 2007. The stadium's first game was March 30, 2008, featuring the Phillies major league team playing the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

=== Professional ice hockey ===
{{Main|Lehigh Valley Phantoms}}
On September 10, 2014, the [[PPL Center]], an 8,500-seat arena in [[Center City Allentown]], was opened as the new home arena for the [[Lehigh Valley Phantoms]], the [[American Hockey League]] affiliate of the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], and for other sporting and entertainment events. The Phantoms began play at PPL Center with their [[2014–15 AHL season|2014–15 season]]. The arena takes up the entire block between Seventh and Eighth and [[Hamilton Street|Hamilton]] and Linden streets.<ref>[http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2011/05/post_63.html Allentown council authorizes use of eminent domain for hockey arena if needed]. lehighvalleylive.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.</ref>

===Roller derby===
{{Main|Lehigh Valley Roller Derby}}
[[Lehigh Valley Roller Derby]] (LVRG) is a [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]] league based at Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink in Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley. The league's teams compete nationally and internationally.

=== Running events ===
The Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon, sponsored by [[Lehigh Valley Health Network]], features a certified marathon, five-person team relay, a {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} training run, and 5K walk annually in September. The {{convert|42.195|km|mi|sp=us|adj=on}} course follows the Lehigh River Canal Towpath from Allentown to Easton. In 2015, the marathon came under scrutiny when [[Mike Rossi (DJ)|Mike Rossi]] achieved viral fame after allegedly cheating in the marathon to qualify for the [[Boston Marathon]]. In response, Via Marathon organizers added timing mats and video surveillance on the course.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/runners_boycott_via_marathon.html | title=Could train controversy tarnish Via Marathon's draw? | last=Satullo |first=Sara |date=September 13, 2016 | publisher=Lehigh Valley Live|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> [[Lehigh University]]'s Paul Short Run is held annually at the Goodman Cross Country Course; participation has climbed to over 5,000 runners spread throughout 14 college and high school races. The Emmaus 5K race is held annually in mid-October, coinciding with [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]' annual Halloween parade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://emmaus5k.com/|title=Halloween in Emmaus 5K Running Event – The Parade Before the Parade|website=emmaus5k.com}}</ref>

===Track cycling===
{{Main|Valley Preferred Cycling Center}}
The Lehigh Valley is home to the [[Valley Preferred Cycling Center]], a [[cycling]] [[velodrome]] in [[Breinigsville, Pennsylvania|Breinigsville]] that hosts professional and amateur cycling competitions, including [[Union Cycliste Internationale]]-sponsored competitions. Valley Preferred Cycling Center has given rise to several [[Olympics|Olympian]] cycling medal winners.

==Culture==
{{See also|Culture of Allentown, Pennsylvania|List of films shot in the Lehigh Valley}}
The [[Allentown Art Museum]], located in [[Center City Allentown]], is the Lehigh Valley's largest museum with over 11,000 works of art. Lehigh University's [[Zoellner Arts Center]] and [[Lafayette College]]'s smaller Williams Center for the Arts host a variety of plays, concerts, and performances throughout the year. The [[Allentown Symphony Orchestra]], conducted by [[Diane Wittry]] since 1995, performs at Allentown's historic [[Miller Symphony Hall]]. The Banana Factory, located in [[South Bethlehem Downtown Historic District|South Bethlehem]], has several art studios and galleries open to the public.<ref>[https://www.bananafactory.org/ Banana Factory] official website</ref>

== Recreation ==
[[File:Dorney Park Steel Force Thunderhawk.jpg|thumb|[[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom|Dorney Park's]] [[Steel Force]] and [[Thunderhawk (Dorney Park)|Thunderhawk]] roller coasters in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]] in the Lehigh Valley. Steel Force is the eighth-tallest steel roller coaster in the world with a first drop of {{convert|205|ft|m}} and a top speed of {{convert|75|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdb.com/id276.htm |title=Rollercoaster Database: Steel Force (Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom) |access-date=July 10, 2008}}</ref>]]
[[File:Weezer Bethlehem 2019 5.jpg|thumb|[[Musikfest]], the nation's largest free music festival, held annually in Bethlehem]]
[[File:Bear-creek-lodge.JPG|thumb|The ski lodge at [[Bear Creek Mountain Resort]] in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]]]

===Amusement park===
{{Main|Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom}}
The Lehigh Valley is home to [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]], a popular amusement and [[water park]], located in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]]. Dorney Park is known nationally for its elaborate [[roller coaster]]s and water rides.<ref>[https://www.dorneypark.com/ Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom] official website</ref>

===Casino===
{{Main|Wind Creek Bethlehem}}
In 2009, Sands Casino Resort, an $879&nbsp;million casino, hotel and apartment complex then owned by the [[Las Vegas Sands]] opened in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, bringing legalized table and sports gambling to the Lehigh Valley for the first time. In 2018, the casino was renamed [[Wind Creek Bethlehem]] following its $1.3 billion sale to Wind Creek Hospitality. Wind Creek Bethlehem is one of only 13 authorized gaming sites in Pennsylvania.

===Festivals===
{{See also|Great Allentown Fair|Mayfair Festival of the Arts|Musikfest}}
Several large festivals are held annually in the Lehigh Valley. The [[Great Allentown Fair]], first held in 1852, is held annually in late August through early September at the [[Allentown Fairgrounds]] in Allentown.<ref>[http://www.allentownfairpa.org/ Great Allentown Fair] official website</ref> [[Musikfest]], a large, eleven-day music festival, is held annually in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania each August.<ref>[https://www.musikfest.org/ Musikfest] official website</ref> Das Awkscht Fescht, an antique car festival, is held annually the beginning of August in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]]'s Memorial Park.<ref>[https://awkscht.com/  Das Awkscht Fescht] official website</ref> Blues, Brews, and Barbeque, launched in 2014, is held annually in May in [[Center City Allentown]].<ref>[https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/event/blues-brews-%26-barbecue/55513/ "Blues, Brews and Barbeque" at Discover Lehigh Valley]</ref> [[Mayfair Festival of the Arts]], a three-day arts festival, is held annually the end of May on the campus of [[Cedar Crest College]] in Allentown.<ref>[https://www.cedarcrest.edu/mayfair/ "Mayfair"] at Cedar Crest College website</ref>

===Golf and skiing===
{{See also|Saucon Valley Country Club}}
The Valley's multiple golf courses include [[Saucon Valley Country Club]] in [[Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Saucon Township]], which hosted the [[2009 U.S. Women's Open]]. Others include Allentown Municipal Golf Course, Brookside Country Club in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]], Green Pond Country Club in Bethlehem, Lehigh Country Club on [[Cedar Crest Boulevard]] in Allentown, Olde Homestead Golf Club in [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]], Riverview Country Club in Easton, Shepherd Hills Golf Club in [[Wescosville, Pennsylvania|Wescosville]], Steel Club in [[Hellertown, Pennsylvania|Hellertown]], Southmoore Golf Course in [[Bath, Pennsylvania|Bath]], Wedgewood Golf Course in [[Coopersburg, Pennsylvania|Coopersburg]], Willow Brook Golf Course in [[Northampton, Pennsylvania|Northampton]], and others.

===Ice sports and skiing===
{{See also|Bear Creek Mountain Resort}}
The region's primary [[ski resorts|ski resort]] is [[Bear Creek Mountain Resort]], a 23 slope resort in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]].<ref>[https://www.bcmountainresort.com/ Bear Creek Resort] official website</ref> Three Lehigh Valley locations exist for [[ice skating]], [[ice hockey]], [[figure skating]], and [[speed skating]]. Steel Ice Center is on East 1st Street in Bethlehem,<ref>[https://www.steelicecenter.com/ Steel Ice Center] official website</ref> The Rink Ice Arena is in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]],<ref>[https://lehighvalleyicearena.com/ Lehigh Valley Ice Arena] official website</ref> and the City of Bethlehem maintains a covered 23,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink from November through March. Bethlehem Skateplaza on Steel Avenue in Bethlehem is a city park for [[skateboarding]] and [[freestyle BMX]].<ref>[https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Recreation/Recreation-Activities/Skate-Plaza Skate Plaza] at City of Bethlehem website</ref>

===Parks and zoo===
{{See also|Lehigh Parkway|Lehigh Valley Zoo|Trexler Nature Preserve}}
The [[Lehigh Valley Zoo]] in [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]] is a {{convert|29|acre|1|adj=on}} zoo open year-round. The Lehigh Valley has [[List of city parks and recreation facilities of Allentown, Pennsylvania|a number of public parks]], including the {{convert|629|acre|1|adj=on}} [[Lehigh Parkway]] along the [[Lehigh River]] in Allentown and the {{convert|1108|acre|1|adj=on}} [[Trexler Nature Preserve]] in [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]].

== Transportation ==
=== Air transportation ===
{{See also|Lehigh Valley International Airport|Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport|Braden Airpark}}
[[File:ABE terminal (2).JPG|thumb|Main terminal at [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] in [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]], March 2014]]
The Lehigh Valley's primary commercial airport is [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] {{Airport codes|ABE|KABE}} in [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]] in the Lehigh Valley, roughly {{Convert|7|mi|km}} north-northeast of Allentown, {{Convert|4|mi|km}} northwest of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and {{Convert|11|mi|km}} west-southwest of Easton. The airport was utilized by 851,000 passengers in 2020. [[Allegiant Air]] recently completed a significant expansion at the airport.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/01/cargo_traffic_soars_as_more_pa.html|title=Cargo traffic soars, as more passengers choose LVIA, too|work=lehighvalleylive.com|access-date=August 19, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>The Morning Call, No U.S. Customs station at LVIA, but bluer skies may be ahead., Matt Assad, October 21, 2014, http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-airport-passenger-traffic-20141021-story.html</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lvb.com/article/20170809/LVB01/170809864/lvia-adds-52m-transportation-hub-for-buses-taxis-and-rental-cars|title=LVIA adds $5.2M transportation hub for buses, taxis and rental cars {{!}} LVB|work=Lehigh Valley Business|access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lvb.com/article/20171127/LVB01/171129913/passenger-traffic-increases-nearly-20-percent-at-lvia|title=Passenger traffic increases nearly 20 percent at LVIA – LVB|date=November 27, 2017}}</ref>

The Valley is also served by [[Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport]], a two-runway general aviation facility located off Allentown's [[Lehigh Street]], used predominantly by  private aviation. Other general-aviation airports include [[Braden Airpark]] (also owned by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority) in Easton, Pennsylvania, [[Hackettstown Airport]] in eastern [[Warren County, New Jersey]], and [[Jake Arner Memorial Airport]] in [[Lehighton, Pennsylvania|Lehighton]].

=== Bus transportation ===
{{See also|LANta|Trans-Bridge Lines}}
[[File:LANTA bus 2156 at Allentown Transportation Center.jpeg|thumb|A [[LANta]] bus in Allentown in June 2025]]
Public bus service in Lehigh Valley is available through [[LANta]], the region's public transportation service. In [[New Jersey]], bus service is provided by [[NJ Transit]], including to the [[Easton Intermodal Transportation Center]] in Easton.

The Lehigh Valley has several commercial bus services, including [[Greyhound Lines]], [[Klein Transportation]], and [[Trailways Transportation System|Trailways]], and others, that provide transportation to and from [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], and other regional destinations throughout the day. [[OurBus]] provides service to and from Philadelphia. [[Martz Group|Martz Trailways]] provides transport from the region to [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]] via [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre]], and also provides service to Philadelphia as an [[Amtrak Thruway]] route that connects to [[Amtrak]] at [[30th Street Station]] in Philadelphia. [[Chinatown bus lines]] operates multiple round trip bus lines daily between [[Manhattan]] and [[Wind Creek Bethlehem]] in Bethlehem; as of 2014, more than 3,000 passengers daily utilized Chinatown bus lines' service from Manhattan to [[Wind Creek Bethlehem]].<ref>[https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-sands-bethlehem-asian-bus-changes-20140412-story.html "Sands casino cracks down on bus riders,"] ''The Morning Call'', April 12, 2014</ref>

===Commercial rail===
{{See also|Lehigh Line (Norfolk Southern)|Lehigh Valley Railroad}}
The Lehigh Valley is a major national thruway for commercial [[rail transport]] with roughly 65 commercial trains passing through the Valley daily. The region's largest freight rail operator is [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], which uses two former rail lines, [[Lehigh Valley Railroad]]'s [[Lehigh Line (Norfolk Southern)|Lehigh Line]] and [[Reading Company|Reading Railroad]]'s [[Reading Line]]. Norfolk Southern Railway has major classification [[rail yard]]s in both Allentown and Bethlehem.

===Passenger rail===
Passenger train service in the Valley is available just outside the Lehigh Valley at [[Doylestown, Pennsylvania|Doylestown]] ({{convert|31.2|mi}} southeast), at [[Annandale, New Jersey]] (roughly {{convert|41.8|mi}} east), and at [[Hackettstown station]] in [[Hackettstown, New Jersey]] ({{convert|49.5|mi}} northeast). The Valley's closest [[Amtrak]] station is [[Bryn Mawr station (SEPTA Regional Rail)|Bryn Mawr SEPTA]], {{convert|50.4|mi}} miles south of the Valley. Two major passenger rail hubs, [[30th Street Station]] in Philadelphia and [[Pennsylvania Station (Newark)|Newark Penn Station]] in [[Newark, New Jersey]], are roughly {{convert|60|mi}} southeast and {{convert|81.9|mi}} west, respectively.

In March 2023, the [[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation]] funded a preliminary study to assess the feasibility of restoring passenger rail to the region.<ref>[https://content.lvpc.org/Partner%20Meetings%20and%20Events/Lehigh%20Valley%20Rail%20Study%20-%20Stakeholder%20Meeting%20-%20LVPC%20-%2003-26-2024.pdf "Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Feasibility Study"], Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, March 27, 2023</ref>

=== Roads ===
[[File:US 22 EB at PA 145 SB exit.jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania|US 22]] eastbound in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]] in the Lehigh Valley, in October 2011]]
The Lehigh Valley is accessible from four major highways:

*[[Interstate 476]], the Northeast Extension of the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]], is a toll highway that runs {{convert|131|mi|km}} from [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]] in the south to [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]] and [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre]] region in the north.
*[[Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 78]] is a major east–west highway that runs through the southern part of the Valley and is duplexed with [[Pennsylvania Route 309]]. I-78 runs from [[Lebanon County, Pennsylvania|Lebanon County]] in the west to the [[Holland Tunnel]] and [[Lower Manhattan]] in the east.
*[[Pennsylvania Route 33]] runs north–south through the Lehigh Valley from the [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]] in the north to [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton County]] in the south. 
*[[U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 22]] is a major freeway that runs through the Valley from [[Kuhnsville, Pennsylvania|Kuhnsville]] in the western part of the Valley to Easton in the Valley's east. The highway extends from [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, Ohio]] in the west through the Valley to Newark, New Jersey at its eastern terminus.

Other major Lehigh Valley roads include:
*[[Cedar Crest Boulevard]] is a north–south highway that runs from [[North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|North Whitehall Township]] in the north through West Allentown to [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] in the south. 
*[[Lehigh Street]] runs northeast to southwest, originating in [[Center City Allentown]] and terminating in Emmaus. 
*[[Pennsylvania Route 145]] is a divided local road that leads to the [[Lehigh Valley Mall]] and its surrounding commercial district. 
*[[State Route 1002 (Lehigh County, Pennsylvania)|Tilghman Street]] runs from [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]] in the west, continuing as Union Boulevard to Bethlehem in the east. Tilghman Street runs through most of Allentown, intersecting with Cedar Crest Boulevard, [[Pennsylvania Route 100]], Pennsylvania Route 309, and other major Lehigh Valley highways.

== Telecommunications ==
{{Main|Area codes 610, 484, and 835}}
The Lehigh Valley area initially was served only by the [[Area codes 215, 267, and 445|215]] [[area code]] from 1947 (when the [[North American Numbering Plan]] of the [[Bell System]] went into effect) until 1994. With the region's growing population, the Lehigh Valley was granted [[Area codes 610, 484, and 835|area code 610]] in 1994. Today, the Lehigh Valley is mainly covered by 610. An [[area code overlay|overlay area code]], 484, was added to the 610 service area in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nanpa.com/pdf/pl-nanp-135.pdf |title= NANP-Overlay of 610 (Pennsylvania) Numbering Plan Area (NPA) with 484 NPA |access-date= June 25, 2010 |archive-date= November 26, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101126161654/http://nanpa.com/pdf/pl-nanp-135.pdf |url-status= dead }}&nbsp;{{small|(359&nbsp;KB)}}</ref> Area code 835 entered service on September 2, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-01-13 |title=Planning Letter 578: NPA 835 and 484/610 All-Services Overlay (Pennsylvania) |url=https://nationalnanpa.com/planning_letters/PL_578.pdf |access-date=2023-07-20 |publisher=NANPA}}</ref>

== Wine ==
{{Main|Lehigh Valley AVA}}
[[Lehigh Valley AVA]], which was designated an official [[American Viticultural Area]] in March 2008, includes {{convert|230|acre|ha|0}} of [[vineyard]]s planted to several ''[[Vitis vinifera]]'' and [[Hybrid grape|French-American hybrid]] grape [[variety (biology)|varieties]]. Blue Mountain Vineyards in [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]] accounts of over {{convert|50|acre|ha|0}} of the 230 acres and has won national and international awards. As of 2008, an estimated 15 to 20% of all wine produced commercially in Pennsylvania comes from grapes grown in the Lehigh Valley AVA.<ref name="lauer-williams">Lauer-Williams, Kathy (2008). [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08108/873927-34.stm "Lehigh Valley wineries earn recognition"]. ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''. April 17, 2008.</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from the Lehigh Valley}}
Since its settlement in the 18th century, the Lehigh Valley has been the birthplace or home to several famous Americans, including:
* [[Mario Andretti]], former professional race car driver
* [[Michael Andretti]], professional racing team owner and former race car driver
* [[Saquon Barkley]], professional football player, [[Philadelphia Eagles]]
* [[Chuck Bednarik]], former professional football player, Philadelphia Eagles, 1967 [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee
* [[Stephen Vincent Benét]], former novelist and [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning poet
* [[Howard J. Buss]], composer, music publisher, former trombonist
* [[Leon Carr]], former [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] songwriter and composer
* [[Jack Coleman (actor)|Jack Coleman]], television actor, ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', ''[[Heroes (U.S. TV series)|Heroes]]'', ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'', and ''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]''
* [[Michaela Conlin]], television actress, ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]''
* [[H.D.]], former poet and novelist
* [[Jimmy DeGrasso]], [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] drummer, [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Alice Cooper (band)|Alice Cooper Band]], [[Megadeth]], [[Dokken]], and [[Ratt]]
* [[Dane DeHaan]], television and film actor, ''[[In Treatment]]'', ''[[Chronicle (film)|Chronicle]]'', ''[[A Cure for Wellness]]'', and ''[[Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets]]''
* [[Devon (actress)|Devon]], adult film actress
* [[Keith Dorney]], former professional football player, [[Detroit Lions]]
* [[Jonathan Frakes]], actor, ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''
* [[Mike Hartenstine]], former professional football player, [[Chicago Bears]] and [[Minnesota Vikings]]
* [[Bob Heffner]], former professional baseball player, [[Boston Red Sox]], [[California Angels]], and [[Cleveland Indians]]
* [[Tim Heidecker]], actor, comedian, musician, ''[[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!]]'' and ''[[Decker (TV series)|Decker]]''
* [[Larry Holmes]], former boxing heavyweight champion
* [[Todd Howard]], video game designer, ''[[Fallout (franchise)|Fallout]]'' and ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]''
* [[Lee Iacocca]], former president and chief executive officer, [[Chrysler]] 
* [[Keith Jarrett]], jazz musician
* [[Michael Johns (policy analyst)|Michael Johns]], healthcare executive and former [[White House]] presidential speechwriter
* [[Dwayne Johnson]] ("The Rock"), actor and former professional wrestler
* [[Billy Kidman]], former professional wrestler and [[WWE]] producer
* [[Daniel Dae Kim]], film and television actor, ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''
* [[Steve Kimock]], rock musician
* [[Brian Knobbs]], former professional wrestler
* [[Dan Koppen]], former professional football player, [[Denver Broncos]] and [[New England Patriots]]
* [[Carson Kressley]], fashion consultant, [[Bravo (US TV channel)|Bravo]]'s ''[[Queer Eye (2003 TV series)|Queer Eye]]''
* [[Lisa Ann]], adult film actress
* [[Varvara Lepchenko]], professional tennis player
* [[Jonathan Linton]], former professional football player, [[Buffalo Bills]]
* [[Carmen Maria Machado]], literary fiction author 
* [[William Marchant (playwright)|William Marchant]], former playwright and screenwriter
* [[Kristen Maloney]], [[2000 Summer Olympics]] gymnast
* [[Ed McCaffrey]], former professional football player, [[Denver Broncos]], New York Giants, and [[San Francisco 49ers]]
* [[Kate Micucci]], actress, comedian, singer, and songwriter
* [[Matt Millen]], former professional football player, [[Oakland Raiders]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], and [[Washington Redskins]] and former president and general manager, [[Detroit Lions]]
* [[Lara Jill Miller]], actress and voice actress, ''[[Gimme a Break!]]'' and ''[[The Amanda Show]]''
* [[Marty Nothstein]], former Olympic gold medal winner, track cycling
* [[Andre Reed]], former professional football player, [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[Washington Redskins]], 2014 [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee
* [[Ian Riccaboni]], author and [[Ring of Honor]] professional wrestling sports broadcaster
* [[Daniel Roebuck]], actor, ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]'', ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'', ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'', and ''[[Grimm (TV series)|Grimm]]''
* [[Jimmie Schaffer]], former professional baseball player, [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Chicago White Sox]], [[Cincinnati Reds]], [[New York Mets]], Philadelphia Phillies and [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
* [[Brian Schneider]], former professional baseball player, [[Miami Marlins]], New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and [[Washington Nationals]]
* [[Amanda Seyfried]], actress, ''[[Veronica Mars]]'', ''[[Big Love]]'', ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'', and ''[[Les Misérables (2012 film)|Les Misérables]]''
* [[Curt Simmons]], former professional baseball player, [[California Angels]], [[Chicago Cubs]], Philadelphia Phillies, and [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
* [[Dana Snyder]], voice actor, [[Adult Swim]]'s ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''
* [[Christine Taylor]], actress and wife of actor [[Ben Stiller]]
* [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]], actor, ''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]''
* [[Bobby Weaver]], [[1984 Summer Olympics]] gold medal winner, [[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|wrestling]]
* [[Lauren Weisberger]], author, ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (novel)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''
* [[Cindy Werley]], [[1996 Summer Olympics]] field hockey player
* [[Jordan White (musician)|Jordan White]], rock musician
* [[David Zinczenko]], founder and chief executive officer, Galvanized, and author, ''[[Eat This, Not That]]''
* [[David Zippel]], [[Tony Awards|Tony]]-award-winning lyricist, ''[[City of Angels (musical)|City of Angels]]''

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

=== References ===
{{Reflist|25em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|position=right|Lehigh Valley}}
{{Wikivoyage|position=right}}
*[http://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/ Official website] at Discover Lehigh Valley 
*[http://www.mcall.com/news/local/ Lehigh Valley news] at ''[[The Morning Call]]'' 
*[https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/ Lehigh Valley news] at [[WFMZ-TV]]
*[https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/tag/lehigh-valley/ Lehigh Valley news] at [[CBS News]]
*[https://www.mcall.com/all-community-faug18-htmlstory.html "Famous People from the Lehigh Valley]," ''The Morning Call'', August 18, 2006
*[https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/blog/post/lehigh-valley-pop-culture-connections-from-star-trek-to-hey-dude-to-xkcd/ "Lehigh Valley Pop Culture Connections"] at Discover Lehigh Valley, January 2, 2023 
*[http://www.lvhistory.org/ "Lehigh Valley Passport to History"], a partnership of local historic sites

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{{Lehigh Valley}}
{{Allentown, PA}}
{{Lehigh County, Pennsylvania}}
{{Northampton County, Pennsylvania}}
{{High Schools in the Lehigh Valley}}
{{Colleges and universities in the Lehigh Valley}}
{{Lehigh Valley Malls}}
{{Pennsylvania}}
{{Northeast Megalopolis}}
}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lehigh Valley| ]]
[[Category:Metropolitan areas of New Jersey]]
[[Category:Metropolitan areas of Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Regions of Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:River valleys of the United States]]
[[Category:Valleys of Pennsylvania]]