Northampton County, Pennsylvania

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Northampton County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	1752
Seat	Easton
Area
• Total	377 sq mi (980 km2)
• Land	370 sq mi (1,000 km2)
• Water	7.7 sq mi (20 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	312,951
• Density	846/sq mi (327/km2)
Website	www.northamptoncounty.org

Northampton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 312,951. Its county seat is Easton. The county is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which includes Lehigh County and Carbon County in Pennsylvania and Warren County in New Jersey.

History

Northampton County was formed in 1752 from parts of Bucks County. It was named for Northamptonshire in England, the ancestral home of William Penn's father. The county has a rich history, including its role in the American Revolutionary War and its industrial heritage, particularly in steel production.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 377 square miles (980 km²), of which 370 square miles (960 km²) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km²) (2.0%) is water. The county is drained by the Delaware River, which forms its eastern boundary with New Jersey.

Adjacent counties

• Monroe County (north)
• Warren County, New Jersey (east)
• Bucks County (south)
• Lehigh County (west)
• Carbon County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 78
• U.S. Route 22
• Pennsylvania Route 33
• Pennsylvania Route 248

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 312,951. The population density was 846 people per square mile (327/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with significant African American, Asian, and Hispanic communities.

Government and politics

Northampton County is governed by a county executive and a nine-member county council. The county is part of Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district.

Education

The county is served by several public school districts, including the Bethlehem Area School District, Easton Area School District, and Nazareth Area School District. Higher education institutions include Lafayette College in Easton and Northampton Community College.

Economy

Historically, Northampton County's economy was based on manufacturing, particularly steel production. Today, the economy is more diversified, with significant sectors including healthcare, education, and retail.

Communities

Cities

• Bethlehem
• Easton

Boroughs

• Bangor
• Bath
• Chapman
• Freemansburg
• Glendon
• Hellertown
• Nazareth
• Northampton
• Pen Argyl
• Portland
• Roseto
• Stockertown
• Tatamy
• Walnutport
• West Easton
• Wilson
• Wind Gap

Townships

• Allen
• Bethlehem
• Bushkill
• East Allen
• Forks
• Hanover
• Lehigh
• Lower Mount Bethel
• Lower Nazareth
• Lower Saucon
• Moore
• Palmer
• Plainfield
• Upper Mount Bethel
• Upper Nazareth
• Washington

Census-designated places

• Ackermanville
• Bath
• Bethlehem
• Eastlawn Gardens
• Freemansburg
• Hellertown
• Nazareth
• Northampton
• Palmer Heights
• Pen Argyl
• Roseto
• Stockertown
• Tatamy
• Walnutport
• West Easton
• Wilson
• Wind Gap

See also

• Lehigh Valley
• Delaware River
• Lafayette College
• Bethlehem Steel
• Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district