The Allentownโ Bethlehem โ Easton metropolitan area, which includes the Lehigh Valley, is Pennsylvania's third-most populous metropolitan area after those of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , and the nation's 67th-largest metropolitan area with a population of , as of Lehigh County is among Pennsylvania's fastest-growing counties, and the Lehigh Valley leads Pennsylvania in terms of population growth in the to year-old demographic, which constitutes a significant portion of the labor workforce.
Route The Lehigh Valley has historically been a global leader in steel and other heavy manufacturing industries, which represented a considerable portion of its employment and economic production for most of the 20th century. Beginning in the early s, however, the region's heavy manufacturing sector experienced a rapid downfall, highlighted by the downsizing, bankruptcy, and ultimate closure of Bethlehem Steel , the world's second-largest steel manufacturer for much of the 20th century, and other Lehigh Valleyโbased manufacturing companies.
The Lehigh Valley's economy struggled considerably throughout the late 20th century, but ultimately rebounded and emerged in the early 21st century as one of the state's largest and fastest-growing economies. The region's primary commercial airport is Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township , which in was utilized by , passengers and trafficked over , pounds of cargo, an all-time cargo record for the airport.
The Lehigh Valley is located in the center of the U. Northeast megalopolis , providing ease of access and close proximity to many of the nation's largest population centers, airports, terminals, railways, and seaports, including New York City , the nation's largest city , which is 80 miles km to its east, and Philadelphia , the nation's sixth-most populous city, which is 50 miles 80 km to its southeast.
The region is located geographically within a one-day drive to over a third of the U. Since its settlement in the 18th century, the Lehigh Valley has been the birthplace or home to several notable Americans who have proven influential across a broad range of fields, including academia, art and music, business, government and politics, the military, professional and Olympic -level athletics, and other fields.
