Bethlehem, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
City
Northside Bethlehem as viewed from the Hill to Hill Bridge South Bethlehem Downtown Historic District Lehigh University Moravian University Central Bethlehem Historic District
Flag Seal Co-official flag
Nicknames:  Christmas City and Steel City
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Lehigh and Northampton
Founded	December 24, 1741
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• City	19.46 sq mi (50.40 km2)
• Land	19.11 sq mi (49.51 km2)
• Water	0.34 sq mi (0.89 km2)
• Urban	289.50 sq mi (749.79 km2)
• Metro	730.0 sq mi (1,174.82 km2)
Elevation	360 ft (109.728 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	75,781
• Rank	2nd in the Lehigh Valley 8th in Pennsylvania
• Density	3,964.48/sq mi (1,530.67/km2)
• Metro	865,310 (US: 68th)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	18015, 18016, 18017, 18018, and 18019
Area codes	610 and 484
FIPS code	42-06088
Primary airport	Lehigh Valley International Airport
Major hospital	Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest
School district	Bethlehem Area

Bethlehem is a city in eastern Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Northampton and Lehigh counties. In 2020, about 75,781 people lived there. This makes it the second-largest city in the Lehigh Valley region. It is also the seventh-largest city in Pennsylvania.

Bethlehem is along the Lehigh River. This river is about 109 miles (175 km) long. It flows into the Delaware River. The city is in the middle of the Lehigh Valley. This area has about 861,899 people. It is Pennsylvania's third-biggest metropolitan area. Bethlehem is west of Allentown. It is about 48 miles (77 km) north of Philadelphia and 72 miles (116 km) west of New York City.

The city has four main parts: central Bethlehem, the south side, the east side, and the west side. Each part grew at different times. Many areas are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bethlehem is also known as Christmas City USA. It got this nickname because it was named on Christmas Eve in 1741. In 1747, it was the first U.S. city to have a decorated Christmas tree.

History of Bethlehem

View of Bethlehem, an 1832 painting by Karl Bodmer

An 1878 map of Bethlehem and South Bethlehem

Homes in South Bethlehem with Bethlehem Steel in the background in 1935

Bethlehem Graveyard and Steel Mill, a 1935 photo by Walker Evans

How Bethlehem Was Founded

Before Europeans arrived, the Lenape people lived in this area. They were indigenous peoples who spoke Algonquian languages. They traded with Dutch and British settlers.

In 1741, William Allen, a rich merchant, gave 500 acres of land. This land was along the Monocacy Creek and Lehigh River. On Christmas Eve, 1741, a group of Moravians founded Bethlehem. Their leaders were David Nitschmann and Nicolaus Zinzendorf. They named the settlement after the Biblical town of Bethlehem. This town is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.

Bethlehem started as a Moravian community. The church owned all the land. For many years, only Moravian Church members could live there. In 1762, Bethlehem built the first waterworks in America. This system pumped water for everyone to use.

Bethlehem During the American Revolution

In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, many patriots came to Bethlehem. They were fleeing from Philadelphia as the British Army advanced. The Marquis de Lafayette recovered from an injury here. Important members of the Continental Congress also stayed in Bethlehem.

Many famous people visited Bethlehem during this time. These included George Washington and his wife Martha. Others were Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. George Washington even stored his personal items at the James Burnside farm. Today, this farm is a historical museum.

Bethlehem in the 1800s and 1900s

In 1845, Bethlehem became a borough. A borough is a type of town. In 1865, the Borough of South Bethlehem was formed. Then, in 1886, West Bethlehem was formed.

In the early 1900s, Bethlehem started to merge with nearby towns. West Bethlehem joined in 1904. South Bethlehem tried to become its own city in 1913. But this was stopped by the court. South Bethlehem joined Bethlehem in 1917. Other areas like Northampton Heights also joined. This created the larger City of Bethlehem we know today. Bethlehem Steel executive Archibald Johnston became the first mayor. {{wide image|Bethlehem steel c.1896.jpg|850px|The blast furnaces of Bethlehem Steel in Bethlehem in 1896.]]

Geography and Climate

Hill to Hill Bridge connects North Bethlehem with South Bethlehem.

South Bethlehem in September 2013.

The Lehigh River in Bethlehem in January 2007.

Bethlehem covers about 19.4 square miles (50.4 km2). Most of this is land. The city needs a lot of water for its industries. So, it bought 22,000 acres (89 km2) of land in the Pocono Mountains. This is where its water is stored in reservoirs. The Lehigh River flows through Bethlehem. Smaller creeks like Monocacy and Saucon Creek also flow into the Lehigh River here.

Bethlehem's Weather

Bethlehem has a climate with four seasons. Summers are hot and humid. Fall and spring are mild. Winters are cold. Rain and snow fall throughout the year. The average high temperature in January is about 37°F (3°C). In July, it's around 85°F (29°C). The highest temperature ever recorded was 105°F (41°C). The lowest was -16°F (-27°C).

Neighborhoods of Bethlehem

Bethlehem has five main areas: Center City, West Side, East Side, South Side, and North Side. The West Side is in Lehigh County. The other four are in Northampton County.

• Center City is bordered by Monocacy Creek to the west.
• The West Side starts at the border with Allentown.
• The East Side is next to Center City and Bethlehem Township.
• The South Side is bordered by Fountain Hill to the west.
• The North Side is above Dewberry Avenue.

People of Bethlehem

In 2020, Bethlehem had 75,781 people. Most residents (72.7%) were White. About 9.2% were African American. About 3.1% were Asian American. Many people in Bethlehem are also Hispanic or Latino (29.9%).

In 2010, there were 74,982 people. About 76.4% were White. About 6.9% were African American. About 24.4% were Hispanic or Latino.

In 2000, there were 71,329 people. The average household had 2.34 people. The average family had 2.95 people. About 21.0% of the population was under 18. About 17.9% were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years.

Bethlehem's Economy

Bethlehem Steel's Legacy

This former Bethlehem Steel building and its smokestacks have been preserved.

Wind Creek Bethlehem, a casino on the former grounds of Bethlehem Steel.

Bethlehem became a major industrial city. This happened during the Industrial Revolution. Bethlehem Steel (1857–2003) was a very important company here. It was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States. At its busiest, it had over 30,000 employees.

Bethlehem Steel was also a big shipbuilding company. It built over 1,100 warships for World War II. The company made the first "I-beams" used in skyscrapers. It provided materials for many famous buildings and bridges.

After about 140 years, Bethlehem Steel stopped making steel in 1995. This was due to competition from other countries. The company closed completely in 2003.

New Businesses and Shopping

In 2006, a casino company started building on the old Bethlehem Steel site. This project was called Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. It is now known as Wind Creek Bethlehem. It opened in 2009. This resort includes a casino, hotel rooms, restaurants, and shops. It helped bring new life to the area.

St. Luke's Hospital is another big employer. Other major companies include B. Braun and Lehigh University. The candy company Just Born is also in Bethlehem.

Many new shops and restaurants have opened in downtown Bethlehem. The Moravian Book Shop is here. It is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the country. The historic Hotel Bethlehem is also a popular spot. On the South Side, new businesses have opened. This is partly because of Lehigh University and the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino.

There are also several shopping centers outside of downtown. These include Bethlehem Square and Westgate Mall.

Arts and Culture

Christmas City USA

A replica of the Star of Bethlehem on Main Street in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem has a special connection to Christmas. The city was named Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1741. In 1747, Bethlehem was the first U.S. city to have a decorated Christmas tree.

On December 7, 1937, the city officially became "Christmas City USA." This happened during a big ceremony. A large wooden star was put on top of South Mountain. It was 60 feet (18 m) high. In 1939, a steel star replaced the wooden one. The current star is 91 feet (28 m) high. It is lit by 250 light bulbs. The star is lit every day of the year from 4:30 p.m. until midnight.

Music and Festivals

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem was started in 1898. It holds an annual Bach Festival. This event brings many visitors to the city. Other festivals include The Celtic Classic. This festival celebrates Celtic culture, food, and music. The SouthSide Film Festival shows many films.

Bethlehem also hosts Musikfest. This is the nation's largest free music festival. It lasts for 10 days in August. It attracts about a million people. Hundreds of musical acts perform during the festival.

Musikfest, the nation's largest free music festival, held annually in August in Bethlehem.

Steel Stacks and Arts Centers

In 2011, the city opened Steel Stacks. This is a 10-acre (4 ha) campus. It is on the old Bethlehem Steel grounds. Steel Stacks hosts music, art, festivals, and films. It is located in front of the old blast furnaces.

Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center offers many musical and dramatic events. The Banana Factory has studios for local artists. The Touchstone Theatre is the area's only professional theater company.

Other Fun Things to Do

On the first Friday of each month, the Southside Shopping District has "First Friday." Stores, restaurants, and art galleries stay open late. They offer special deals and art shows. The Lehigh Canal is great for hiking and biking. Both the Lehigh Canal and Monocacy Creek are popular for fishing.

In 2024, the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it is a very important historical place.

Sports in Bethlehem

Stabler Arena, a 6,200 capacity indoor arena in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem has a rugby team called Lehigh Valley RFC. They play at Monocacy Park.

Past Sports Teams

The Bethlehem Steel FC soccer team played here until 2019. They played at Goodman Stadium at Lehigh University. The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, a football team, played at Stabler Arena. They moved to Allentown in 2014.

From 1996 to 2012, the Philadelphia Eagles football team held their training camp here. This was at Lehigh University. In the early 1900s, the city had a famous soccer team. It was called the Bethlehem Steel F.C.. They won many championships. They were also the first American professional soccer team to play in Europe.

Parks and Recreation

Bethlehem has 39 parks. These parks cover about 568 acres (2.3 km2). Some of the parks include Buchannan Park, Elmwood Park, and Monocacy Park. Others are Rose Garden, Sand Island, and Saucon Park.

Education in Bethlehem

Colleges and Universities

Moravian University in Bethlehem in 2007.

Bethlehem is home to three colleges. Lehigh University is on South Mountain. It has about 5,000 undergraduate students. It is a highly ranked university.

Moravian University is in Center City Bethlehem. It is a smaller college. It was founded in 1742. It also has a seminary for religious studies.

The International Institute for Restorative Practices is a graduate school. It teaches professionals about restorative practices. Northampton Community College has a center in South Bethlehem. Its main campus is in Bethlehem Township.

Schools for Kids

Liberty High School, one of two large public high schools in Bethlehem.

Public schools in Bethlehem are part of the Bethlehem Area School District. This district covers about 40 square miles (104 km2). It includes the city and nearby towns. The district has two high schools for grades 9-12. These are Liberty High School and Freedom High School.

There are also four middle schools for grades 6-8. These are Broughal, East Hills, Nitschmann, and Northeast Middle Schools. The district also has 16 elementary schools for grades K-5. The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts is also in the district. It accepts students from nearby areas.

Bethlehem has two private high schools. These are Bethlehem Catholic High School and Moravian Academy. The high schools compete in sports. Their football games are played at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium. This stadium can hold 14,000 people.

Media in Bethlehem

Bethlehem has two daily newspapers. These are The Morning Call and The Express-Times. There are also smaller weekly and monthly newspapers.

WBPH is a television station licensed in Bethlehem. WLVT Channel 39 (PBS) also has its offices here. WFMZ Channel 69 is based in nearby Allentown. Bethlehem is part of the Philadelphia media market.

The city has two commercial radio stations. These are WGPA-AM and WZZO-FM. WLVR-FM is a non-commercial station run by Lehigh University. WDIY-FM is a public radio station.

Transportation

Getting Around by Air

Lehigh Valley International Airport is about 4 miles (6 km) north of Bethlehem. It is the fourth-largest commercial airport in Pennsylvania.

Highways for Driving

I-78 West in Bethlehem in August 2022.

Bethlehem has many public roads. Interstate 78 runs through the city. U.S. Route 22 also goes through the northwestern part of the city. Pennsylvania Route 378 goes through downtown Bethlehem. Pennsylvania Route 412 connects to I-78.

Buses for Travel

LANta provides local bus service in Bethlehem. It connects to Allentown, Easton, and other places. The Bethlehem Transportation Center is a main bus stop.

Trans-Bridge Lines offers bus service to other cities. You can take a bus from Bethlehem to Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. OurBus provides bus service from Bethlehem to Philadelphia.

Train Service

Norfolk Southern Railway provides freight train service in Bethlehem. The Lehigh Line and Reading Line run through the city. Bethlehem used to have passenger train service. This service ended in 1981.

Notable People from Bethlehem

Many well-known people have connections to Bethlehem:

• Saquon Barkley, professional football player
• Chuck Bednarik, famous football player
• Jonathan Frakes, actor and director from Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, athlete and actor
• Daniel Dae Kim, actor and producer
• Joe Kovacs, world champion in shot put
• Billy Packer, basketball analyst
• Daniel Roebuck, actor from Lost
• Charles M. Schwab, founder of Bethlehem Steel
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas, actor from Home Improvement

Sister Cities

Bethlehem has several sister cities around the world:

• Corfu, Greece
• Foiano di Val Fortore, Italy
• Murska Sobota, Slovenia
• Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
• Tondabayashi, Japan

See also

In Spanish: Bethlehem (Pensilvania) para niños