Overview

Introduction to Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh county, is 3 miles N of Allentown, Pennsylvania (center to center) and 51 miles N of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Part of the surrounding Allentown - Bethlehem - Easton metro area, the town is not isolated.

Catasauqua History

George Taylor built a Georgian stone house in the area in 1768. The region was originally referred to as "Biery's Port." In 1840, the anthracite iron industry was established which marked the community as the birthplace of the country's Industrial Revolution. David Thomas, known as "the father of Catasauqua," founded Crane Iron Works in the area. He initially christened the community "Craneville." Thomas also founded the Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, installed Catasauqua's first public water system, and organized its first fire company. The town was officially named "Catasauqua" in 1854, and incorporated the same year. This name, derived from the Lenni Lenape language, meant "burnt ground," "parched land," or "thirsty ground." In 1917, Catasauqua became the nation's first community to raise $1 million in war bonds. It was thereafter nicknamed "The Million Dollar Town."

Catasauqua and Nearby Attractions

  • George Taylor House
  • Lehigh County Museum
  • Lock Ridge Furnace Museum
  • Nockamixon State Park
  • Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom
  • Eckley Miners' Village

Things To Do In Catasauqua

The Biery's Port region and the "mansion district" of Catasauqua are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The George Taylor House, a designated historic landmark, reflects the community's historical heritage. Originally a mining village, the Eckley Miners' Village was transformed into a museum in 1971 and now includes a company store, workers' dwellings, and doctor's offices. The town is also close to several museums like the Lock Ridge Furnace Museum, Lehigh County Museum, National Canal Museum, Haines Mill Museum, and Allentown Art Museum. Opportunities for swimming, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, biking, whitewater boating, and picnicking are available at the Ralph Stover State Park, Beltzville State Park, and Nockamixon State Park.

Catasauqua Transportation

Lehigh Valley International Airport is nearby.

Catasauqua Higher Education

Cedar Crest College, Muhlenberg College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, and Penn State Lehigh Valley are some of the colleges close to Catasauqua.

Demographics

People

Total Population6,550
Male Share of the Population45.9%
Female Share of the Population54.1%
Senior Citizens15.5%
Employed Population 16+3,425
Age of the Population36

Families

% of people married41.9%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher35.9%
Median Earnings25+$36,151
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$38,529
Median Earnings With High School Degree$35,541

Wealth

Median Family Income$63,814
% Above Poverty Level85.6%
% Below Poverty Level14.4%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time24 minutes
% Working from Home3.4%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.5%
% Using Public Transportation1.5%

Housing

People Living Alone30.3%
Median Gross Rent$905
Median House Value$147,000

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)24.9%
Irish12.5%
Italian11.7%
Polish6.2%
English5.3%
German3.8%
Slovak3.4%
Dutch2.9%
Hungarian2.4%
Welsh1.8%
Austrian1.8%
Scottish1.5%
Ukrainian1.3%
Lithuanian1.3%
French Except Basque1.2%
West Indian0.9%
Arab0.8%
Syrian0.7%
Trinidad Tobago0.6%
Russian0.5%
Brazilian0.5%
Greek0.4%
African0.4%
Haitian0.3%
Canadian0.3%
Norwegian0.2%
+ Show More

Catasauqua Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyLehigh County
Standard Zip Codes18032
Phone Area Codes4,84,610
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude40.65
Approximate Longitude-75.46

Catasauqua Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationALLENTOWN LEHIGH VLY AP
Distance1.4 miles
Jan Temp19 to 35 F
Apr Temp38 to 60 F
Jul Temp63 to 84 F
Oct Temp41 to 63 F
Annual Precip45.1 inches
StationPALMERTON
Distance12.5 miles
Jan Temp19 to 38 F
Apr Temp38 to 62 F
Jul Temp62 to 87 F
Oct Temp41 to 66 F
Annual Precip43.9 inches
StationRODALE RESEARCH CENTER
Distance14.6 miles
Jan Temp17 to 36 F
Apr Temp37 to 60 F
Jul Temp59 to 83 F
Oct Temp39 to 63 F
Annual Precip46 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Allentown120,410$44,130
Bath2,670$57,500
Bethlehem75,296$66,986
Coplay3,216$63,667
Northampton9,873$75,543
Whitehall13,759$85,729

Catasauqua Public Libraries

Public Library Of Catasauqua
THIRD & BRIDGE STS
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania
(610) 264-4151

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Catasauqua Public Schools

Catasauqua Ms
850 Pine Street
ZIP: 18032
(610) 264-4341
Middle
Total Enrollment 439
Francis H Sheckler El Sch
251 N 14th St
ZIP: 18032
(610) 264-5601
Primary
Total Enrollment 579
Medical Academy Cs
330 Howertown Road
ZIP: 18032
(610) 403-1150
High
Total Enrollment 238

Catasauqua Private Schools

Bridgeway Academy
334 2nd St
ZIP: 18032
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 753
Lehigh Valley Christian High School
330 Howertown Rd
ZIP: 18032
Secondary
Total Enrollment 131
Sources :
Our Partner Listings
Additional Resources
Info for Catasauqua Government Officials


Are you an official in the Catasauqua government or quasi-government agency such as the chamber of commerce, visitors bureau or economic development council? If so, visit our information page for government officials to see how CityTownInfo can support you.