Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County in eastern Pennsylvania, USA, on the Lehigh River. After Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Allentown is Pennsylvania's third most populous city. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,632. It is the county seat of Lehigh County.
Allentown is the largest of three adjacent cities that comprise an area of Pennsylvania known as the Lehigh Valley, with the cities of Bethlehem and Easton surrounding. Allentown is 50 miles (80 km) north of Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the United States, and 90 miles (145 km) west of New York City, the largest city in the country.
Allentown is the home of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, a highly popular amusement park. Two four-year colleges, Muhlenberg College and Cedar Crest College, are based in Allentown. The city is served by Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Allentown is located at 40°36'6" North, 75°28'38" West (40.601697, -75.477328).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.5 km2 (18.0 mi2). 45.9 km2 (17.7 mi2) of it is land and 0.6 km2 (0.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.34% water.
In the past, the population of Allentown rose at a sprightly rate, reaching 25,288 in 1890; 35,416 in 1900; 51,913 in 1910; 73,502 in 1920; and 96,904 in 1940.
As of the census of 2000, there are 106,632 people, 42,032 households, and 25,135 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,320.8/km2 (6,011.5/mi2). There are 45,960 housing units at an average density of 1,000.3/km2 (2,591.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 72.55% White, 7.85% African American, 0.33% Native American, 2.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 13.37% from other races, and 3.55% from two or more races. 24.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Allentown's population has started to increase due to immigration and many migrants from New Jersey and New York City.
There are 42,032 households in the city, of which 28.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% are married couples living together, 15.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% are non-families. 33.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The city's average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.09.
In the city, the population is spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females, there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,016, and the median income for a family is $37,356. Males have a median income of $30,426 versus $23,882 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,282. 18.5% of the population and 14.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3 percent of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
AllentownPennsylvania.com
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