Ephrata, PA

Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Introduction to Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Ephrata, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster county, is 11 miles NE of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (center to center) ) and 56 miles W of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Part of the surrounding Lancaster metro area, the town is not an isolated town. Ephrata is home to some 13,213 residents.

Ephrata History

In the early 18th century, German mystic Johann Conrad Beissel founded the religious community of Cloisters in the region. The community declined in the early 1800s, and the village began to grow becoming the regional commercial center. It was named "Ephrata" after the biblical city. Soon, it had two resort hotels, and was also a stop for the Reading and Columbia Railroads. On August 22, 1891, Ephrata was officially incorporated as a borough.

Ephrata and Nearby Attractions

• Ephrata Cloister
• Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
• North Museum of Natural History & Science
• Samuel S. Lewis State Park
• Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park

Things To Do In Ephrata

Ephrata was once the seat of the Mystic Order of the Solitary, a semimonastic order of Seventh-Day Dunkers that was established in 1732. The land on which the Ephrata Cloister stood is now a historic site that is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Artifacts of historical and cultural importance are displayed in the North Museum of Natural History & Science, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Heritage Center of Lancaster County, National Watch and Clock Museum, and the National Toy Train Museum. The Eicher Arts Center, housed in Conrad Beissel's historic Eicher House, now includes a Native American museum. Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park, and Samuel S. Lewis State Park are other two popular destinations in the area. The community of Ephrata also hosts the Ephrata Fair in September every year.

Ephrata Transportation

Harrisburg International Airport is the closest major airport.

Ephrata Higher Education

Colleges near Ephrata are Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and Alvernia College.

High Points

Ephrata strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):

Category	Trophy
Low Violent Crime (vs. Peers)	Top 16%
Low Property Crime (vs. Peers)	Top 16%
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. State)	Top 18%

Comparative Profile of Ephrata, PA

Comparing Ephrata to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Female Share of the Population
Racial Diversity

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Working at Home
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Ephrata Almanac

Ephrata Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Ephrata Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Ephrata, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Ephrata Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Ephrata Hospitals

EPHRATA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
169 MARTIN AVENUE
(717) 733-0311
Emergency Service: Yes

Wal-Mart in Ephrata

Ephrata High Schools (2004)

EPHRATA SHS
717-733-1478
Serves 1,362 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.5

Ephrata Colleges

(List of All Pennsylvania Colleges)

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