NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
County Offices
699 Washington Street
Easton 610-829-6500
www.northamptoncounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
201 North Main Street
Nazareth 610-759-9188
Major Highways
I-78, I-80
Route 22, 33, 222, 309, 378, 611
Pennsylvania Turnpike
An area marked by contrast, Northampton County harmonizes patchwork farmland, vital urban centers, bustling industrial parks, quiet neighborhoods, and undeveloped regions that answer a sportsman’s dream.
The City of Bethlehem is the focal point of the region, providing expanded urban amenities to the many small boroughs and sprawling townships scattered throughout the Valley.
Nearby Easton greatly enhances these outstanding resources, rivaling Bethlehem for magnificent performing arts venues, leading healthcare institutions, and first-rate colleges.
Bethlehem is noteworthy as the only municipality in Pennsylvania that is geographically split between two counties. Northampton County claims the lion’s share of the population of approximately 50,000, while another 20,000 residents are at home on the “Lehigh County” side of town. The fact that Bethlehem spans and unites the two counties is a symbol for the cohesive spirit that pervades the Valley. City planners, local governments, area businessmen, educational leaders, and private citizens work diligently to turn their common visions into reality.
Economy
With an equally diverse economy that includes leading health-care and educational institutions, Northampton County offers abundant employment opportunities and fertile ground for entrepreneurial roots. In spite of its vast acreage of undeveloped land, the county is a potent force within the Lehigh Valley — distinguished as the third largest market in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Literally straddling two counties, the City of Bethlehem forms the hub of the Valley’s industrial and farming activity.
Major industries include small businesses, high-technology companies, and manufacturing enterprises that have flourished for decades, even centuries! Bethlehem Steel, well-known across the nation as the largest steel producer, is located
in the city designated by its name. Easton claims the Dixie Cup Company, premier manufacturer of the disposable ice-cream and drinking cups that became an integral part of American culture throughout the 1900s.
Both residential and industrial sectors are served by an excellent transportation network. The doorway to the world is as close as the expanding Lehigh Valley
International Airport, although criss-crossed interstates and superhighways ensure an easy, quick trip throughout the Valley. New England, the Mid-Atlantic, New York City and Philadelphia – the nation’s largest and most influential markets and metropolitan areas – are all “neighbors” through transportation efficiencies.
Services
Northampton County offers outstanding educational opportunities from kindergarten through graduate study and professional programs. Private and parochial schools offer alternatives to public education, while outstanding libraries, technical schools, arts programs, and training facilities reflect the prevailing attitude of life-long education. Almost any degree imaginable can be pursued in one or more of the area’s two or four-year colleges, as well as in commercial, trade, music, and art schools.
The City of Bethlehem is home to Moravian College and Lehigh University, the latter noted as a rich cultural center, a major research institution, and the Lehigh Valley’s only university. Also within commuting distance are Lafayette College in Easton, St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, and a two-year campus for Pennsylvania State University.
Healthcare facilities are equally prolific and renowned, centered around the regional facility of Easton Hospital. Cancer treatment and cardiac care are just two of the many specializations available at Easton Hospital, offering all the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment of a major medical center. The hospital keeps pace with the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic technology through its affiliations with Hahnemann University Medical School and fifteen other centers of higher learning. Bethlehem is home to Muhlenberg Hospital Center, with its wide spectrum of medical and surgical services.
In addition to enjoying first-rate educational and health-care resources, residents of Northampton County are served by an unparalleled network of efficient transportation. Just outside of Easton is the ABE airport, offering direct service to numerous destinations within the United States and Canada. Interstate 78 forms a loop around the entire Valley, connecting with Interstate 80 in the northeastern corner and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the southeast. Local buses serve Easton-Bethlehem-Allentown and their suburbs, while Greyhound bus lines meet the travel needs to New York City, Philadelphia, or Harrisburg.
Lifestyle
Whether you enjoy hunting and fishing surrounded by woodlands and streams, or shopping for designer apparel in the middle of a lavish mall, Northampton County meets every need. Blending verdant parklands with urban areas has ensured the protection of wildlife and preserved nature’s own splendor. Conservation and respect for the environment are evident at every turn. The Forks of the Delaware Shad Fishing Tournament in Easton is a tribute to the region’s success in revitalization of water resources, attracting 1,500 anglers from 20 states.
Regardless of where you live in Lehigh Valley, major shopping centers are just minutes away. While urban centers like Easton and Bethlehem provide a plethora of shops and sprawling malls, many of the smaller towns and villages are home to well-developed retail districts. Quaint downtown centers with historic buildings and Victorian charm are often tucked away in hidden corners of the Valley, offering hand-crafted treasures and priceless antiques to the adventurous. Should all that shopping whet your appetite, you’ll find restaurants from rustic colonial taverns to oriental bistros.
Aficionados of the performing arts will find a full calendar of events, including professional theatre companies, symphonic concerts, and cinemas that offer in art and foreign films. The avant-garde Touchstone Theater in Bethlehem specializes in the process of the actor as creator, while Easton invested $5 million to restore the splendor of the State Theater.
Festivals and holiday celebrations are always grand-scale events in Northampton County, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. In addition to its Christmas City Fair, the City of Bethlehem sponsors a full nine days of Musikfest, a whirlwind of musical delight, delicious food, and lovely crafts. In fact, music seems to be synonymous with the City of Bethlehem, where strains of folk, blues, and folk-rock fill the evening air. Bethlehem’s annual Bach Festival is one of the world’s best known musical extravaganzas, attracting international visitors and music-lovers from 30 states. Many of the local high school bands carry on a tradition of excellence, culminated by Liberty High School Band’s record-breaking, first-place honors in the Governor’s Cup competition in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Residents of Northampton County have no problem filling their leisure hours, whether they are in the mood for active sports or spectator thrills. Within the area’s towns and cities are playgrounds, athletic fields, youth centers, health clubs, swimming pools, tennis courts, ice-skating rinks, golf courses, and country clubs. Towpaths that follow the Lehigh and Delaware canals offer miles of bicycling pleasure, with new paths being added every year. Along with miles of outstanding trails, Hugh Moore Park includes canal locks, and a cable suspension bridge.
Many of the area’s lush parks combine spectacular scenery with historic sites,
including the restored 18th century Moravian settlement in Bethlehem and Jacobsburg State Park northwest of Easton. Development near Easton now includes Minsi Lake, Minsi Park, and 322 acres in Upper Mount Bethel for year-around fun that includes hiking and fishing, seasonal hunting, ice-skating, and picnicking.
An abundance of exciting, seasonal college sports events include the nation’s
oldest NCAA Division I football rivalry between Lafayette College and Lehigh University. Nazareth Speedway, just six miles outside of Easton, and the Pocono International Raceway both cater to auto-racing fans.
Housing options in Northampton are as gracious and diverse as its communities, from magnificent older homes in tree-lined historic districts to sprawling new ranches that dot the picturesque countryside.
Row homes in center city, apartments, condominiums, twins, two-stories — the ideal living situation is available at a reasonable cost. Considering the county’s abundant housing stock, employment opportunities, educational excellence, and cultural resources, few locations in the nation can rival Lehigh Valley for sheer quality of life.
While nature has blessed Northampton County with scenic beauty, the hard-working people who call this land home remain its greatest “natural” resource. From the small boroughs to the heart of Bethlehem or Easton, you’ll be greeted by the friendly faces and heart-warming handshakes of welcoming neighbors.
Allen Township/East Allen Township
Allen Township
610-262-7012
www.allentownship.org
East Allen Township
610-262-7961
www.eatwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
www.lehighvalleychamber.org
Comparable in population as well as physical size, the townships of Allen and East Allen cover 11 and 16 square miles, respectively. The areas also have a similar complexion: both are primarily comprised of agricultural and rural elements harmonized with residential development.
The appeal of a relaxed country atmosphere within close proximity to outstanding urban amenities makes these townships attractive to newcomers.
Both Allentown and Bethlehem are just a short drive from home, offering a virtually endless variety of educational, cultural, entertainment, and employment opportunities.
Bethlehem City
City Hall
610-865-7014
www.bethlehem-pa.gov
Chamber of Commerce
www.lehighvalleychamber.org
Spanning two counties, Bethlehem is home to more than 50,000 residents in Northampton County and another 22,400 in Lehigh County. Although the area has a number of large shopping centers and 170 diverse industries, Bethlehem Steel remains as one of the area’s largest employers.
Harmonizing tradition with progress, Bethlehem has restored the Victorian
facades and gas lamps of its Main Street.
Home selections are abundant and handsome, many with gardens and patios paved with brick and stone. Home of both Lehigh University and Moravian College, Bethlehem is a center for education, culture, and entertainment. Lush parks and celebrations delight residents of all ages.
Bethlehem’s vibrant quality of life, established by its founders, flourishes today because of its leaders’ vision and foresight. During the last three decades, Bethlehem’s growth into a diversified community has brought with it thousands of jobs and millions of dollars. The former 160-acre Bethlehem Steel property along the river is in the early stages of being redeveloped. The name of the redevelopment area is BethWorks Now, and its main focus is the National Museum of Industrial History, which will have exhibits on loan from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., and will encompass the industrial history of the United States. Also planned are sports, recreation, entertainment, dining, and retail establishments.
Bethlehem Township/Freemansburg Borough/Hanover Township
Towns/Borough Halls
Bethlehem Township
610-814-6400
www.bethlehemtownship.org
Hanover Township
610-866-1140
http://hanovertwp-nc.org
Freemansburg
610-866-2220
www.boroughoffreemansburg.org
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Resembling Hanover 40 years ago in its growth pattern, Bethlehem Twp. is home to 19,600. Shopping centers and services have moved rapidly into the area, following the residential expansion. The housing selection offers well-kept older homes to sprawling ranches on spacious lots.
Hanover is one of the three suburban communities surrounding Bethlehem City. Here, large tracts of agricultural land have been transformed into popular new housing developments.
Freemansburg Borough, is just 2 miles from Bethlehem City. A number of major malls are all just minutes from any point.
City of Easton
City Hall
610-250-6600
www.easton-pa.com
Chamber of Commerce
www.lehighvalleychamber.org/easton.html
Serving as the county seat, Easton is a center of transportation and industry for the entire Valley. The diversified housing stock includes a variety of single-family homes, townhouses, rentals. Above the Delaware River is College Hill, known for its handsome older homes and architectural variety — including the lovely Victorian buildings of Lafayette College.
An active community life is further enriched by the presence of three colleges in the area: Lafayette College, Churchman Business College, and Northampton County Area Community College.
An excellent selection of public and private schools provide undergraduate
opportunities to area youth.
With sensitivity to historic preservation, mixed uses have brought modern living to this lovely community. Many preserved historic buildings are open to the public, unique shopping opportunities are offered by merchants, the cultural and arts community continues to grow and prosper, and the scenic waterways, restored canal system, and open spaces are plentiful. Two Rivers Landing, home to the Crayola Factory and the National Canal Museum are popular attractions
Forks Township/Palmer Township/Lower Mount Bethel Township/Pen Argyl Borough
Town Halls
Forks Township
610-252-0785
www.forkstownship.org
Lower Mount Bethel Township
610-252-5074
Palmer Township
610-253-7191
www.palmertwp.com
Pen Argyl
610-863-4119
www.penargylborough.com
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Forks Township, is largely agricultural but offers handsome acreage for residential development. Downtown Easton is just a ten-minute drive from the front door, and Park Mall in Palmer is three miles away. Lower Mount Bethel is slightly more
remote but still just minutes from major urban amenities.
Palmer’s farmland is giving way to residential growth. The township is now home to a major shopping center, as well as the Easton Area high school. The Borough of Pen Argyl offers well-kept older homes at a reasonable price. Housing options in the townships are diverse and plentiful.
North Catasauqua/ Walnutport
Borough Halls
North Catasauqua
610-264-1504
www.northcatasauqua.org
Walnutport
610-767-1322
walnutportpa.org
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
The borough of North Catasauqua is home to 2,900 residents in an area less than one square mile. Primarily residential, the borough offers a housing mix of well-kept older homes along tree-lined streets, and some newer construction in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges.
Commuters enjoy LANTA bus service to major employment centers.
With 2,500 residents in one square mile, Walnutport is another choice for small-town living. The borough harmonizes its residential development with some industrial activity and commercial growth.
Local shopping in both boroughs is sufficient to satisfy daily needs.
Northampton/Bath Borough/Chapman/Lehigh Township/Moore Township
Town Halls
Northampton
610-262-2576
www.northamptonboro.com
Bath Borough
610-837-6525
www.bathborough.org
Chapman
610-837-0842
Lehigh Township
610-767-6771
www.lehightownship.com
Moore Township
610-759-9449
www.mooretownship.org
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Northampton is a balanced community with an active industrial sector, a conservation area, and a good commercial mix. Bath covers one square mile and looks to Allentown for expanded amenities. The Borough of Chapman is home to 245 residents in .2 square mile. Those looking for a small town in close proximity to urban amenities will find a selection of reasonably priced homes in the boroughs.
Lehigh and Moore claim nearly 30 square miles each, offering vast open spaces.
Newcomers will find a pleasing mix of handsome older homes and newer construction in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges.
Plainfield Township/Roseto/Wind Gap
Township Halls
Plainfield Township
610-759-6944
https://plainfieldtownship.org
Roseto
610-588-0695
http://boroughroseto.com
Wind Gap
610-863-7288
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Home to 5,500 in 28 square miles, the picturesque area known as Plainfield is primarily farmland, forest and residential development. Beautiful older homes blend with new construction in this area, from quaint farm houses to country estates and sprawling ranches on generous acreage.
The small boroughs of Roseto and Wind Gap are well-established communities that have developed within the context of the township, offering tranquil neighborhoods and attractive older homes along tree-lined streets.
Many are drawn to the boroughs for the strong community spirit that prevails, as well as the reasonable cost of housing.
Bangor/East Bangor/Portland/Upper Mount Bethel Township/Washington Township
Township Halls
Bangor
610-588-2216
http://bangorborough.org
East Bangor
610-588-4656
http://eastbangorborough.org
Portland
570-897-0559
https://portlandboroughpa.com
Upper Mount Bethel
570-897-6127
http://umbt.org
Washington Township
610-588-1524
www.washington-township.com
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Bangor and East Bangor boroughs are adjacent to the Township of Washington, while Portland Borough is surrounded by Upper Mount Bethel Twp. The Bangors are well-established communities, integrating industrial sectors and commercial growth with quiet neighborhoods. Washington offers a pleasing mix of older homes and new construction.
Portland is primarily a residential haven, offering well-kept older homes along tree-lined streets. The minimum lot size in Upper Mount Bethel is one acre, preserving the feeling of openness.
Lower Saucon Township/Hellertown Borough
Township/Borough Halls
Lower Saucon Township
610-865-3291
www.lowersaucontownship.org
Hellertown Borough
610-838-7041
https://hellertownborough.org
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Lower Saucon Township boasts some of the richest farmland in Pennsylvania.
Although the township has developed rapidly in recent years, much of the landscape retains its rural character.
Excellent public schools, reasonable housing costs, and close proximity to urban amenities have made the Saucon Valley a popular residential choice. Housing options range from conversions of old barns to handsome new construction and luxurious country estates near the lush Saucon Valley Country Club.
Primarily residential, Hellertown Borough claims a population of 5,660 in 2 square miles.
Nazareth/Lower Nazareth/Upper Nazareth Township/Bushkill/Stockertown/Tatamy Borough
Township/Borough Halls
Nazareth
610-759-0202
www.nazarethboroughpa.com
Lower Nazareth
610-759-7434
www.lowernazareth.com
Upper Nazareth Township
610759-5341
www.uppernazarethtownship.org
Bushkill
610-759-1250
www.bushkilltownship.com
Stockertown
610-759-8393
http://stockertown.org
Tatamy
610-252-7123
http://tatamypa.com
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
Upper and Lower Nazareth — with 3,450 and 4,200 residents, respectively — both neighbor the borough that shares their name. Nazareth Borough is home to 5,560 in a compact 2.5 square miles, offering an abundance of charming historical buildings and quiet residential areas.
Stockertown Borough, claiming just 700 residents in 2 square miles, has a similar approach to expansion. The minimum lot size here is one. Adjacent Tatamy Borough offers well-kept older homes in a variety of styles. Bushkill Township, with a sprawling 26 square miles, is currently home to only 5,000 people.
Wilson/Glendon/West Easton/Williams Township
Township Halls
Wilson
610-258-6142
www.wilsonborough.org
Glendon
610-253-1577
West Easton
610-252-6651
Williams Township
610-258-6788
www.williamstwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
610-759-9188
The small boroughs of Wilson, Glendon and West Easton are all clustered around the City of Easton and neighboring Williams Township. Wilson is the largest. West Easton is home to 1,160 people, while Glendon only claims 400 residents and is appealing to those who want to combine a small-town atmosphere with a more open feeling.
Both Wilson and Glendon offer sufficient retail activity to meet the daily needs of residents; West Easton is unique in its well-developed industrial sector. Williams Township claims 3,990 residents in 18 square miles, leaving room for growth.
