Find out where the Lehigh Valley’s population is growing, and by how much

You’ve got more neighbors.Municipalities across Lehigh Valley added residents last year, continuing a pattern of growth that has boosted the population of Lehigh and Northampton counties by more than 25,000 over the past 10 years, according to new U.S. Census Bureau annual population estimates for local governments.A Morning Call analysis of that data showed Northampton’s Lower Nazareth Township grew the fastest last year among local municipalities, at a rate of 3.2%. It’s also one of the fastest-growing statewide: of the 2,525 places in Pennsylvania with at least 200 people, Lower Nazareth ranks 19th.With an estimated 6,468 residents last year, Lower Nazareth has had consistent population increases in recent years. It has the second-highest growth rate when looking at population changes over the last five years, and the fifth-highest in the region over the past decade.That doesn’t surprise Lori Stauffer, township manager for Lower Nazareth, who says residential growth there “has definitely exploded within the past decade.”The high-performing school district has been a draw, attracting higher-income families who are purchasing larger homes in the area, Stauffer said.Those gains also bring challenges as new development means new streets requiring care by the public works department. Stauffer said several new subdivisions are under construction or preparing to begin construction.Rounding out the top-five fastest-growing municipalities in the Valley in 2018 were Upper Saucon and Upper Macungie townships in Lehigh County; Upper Nazareth Township in Northampton County; and Upper Milford Township in Lehigh County.The most populous cities remained unchanged from a year earlier. Allentown was estimated to have 121,433 residents, growing 0.4% last year and 2.8% over the last decade.Bethlehem clocked in at 75,790 residents, up 0.3% last year and 1.1% over a decade. Lower Macungie was estimated at 32,626, followed by Whitehall at 27,714 and Easton at 27,216..embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

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Across the state, Pennsylvania’s 2,571 municipalities were more likely to shrink than grow, with 37% adding population and 63% losing residents.The Valley’s population gains have been steady for more than 70 years, said Becky Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Among the region’s assets is its strategic location, close to several metro areas that boost employment opportunities, and options for enjoying urban areas and open space within a short commute.“People want to be here,” Bradley said.Washington correspondent Laura Olson can be reached at 202-780-9540 or lolson@mcall.com.
Source: Morningcall