Lebanon, Pa
Lebanon, Pennsylvania, situated at approximately 40.3417° N latitude and 76.4228° W longitude, is the county seat of Lebanon County in south-central Pennsylvania. The city covers a total area of about 4.2 square miles and sits at an elevation of roughly 486 feet (148 meters) above sea level. Lebanon’s primary ZIP codes are 17042, 17046, and 17067, with 17042 and 17046 encompassing most of the city.
The city is bordered by several boroughs and townships, including North Lebanon Township to the north, South Lebanon Township to the south, West Lebanon Township to the west, and Cornwall Borough to the southeast. Main neighborhoods and districts within Lebanon include the Historic Downtown, Northwest Lebanon, Southwest Lebanon, and the Avon area. The city’s central business district is located along Cumberland Street (U.S. Route 422), which serves as a commercial and cultural hub.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Lebanon city is approximately 26,814. The greater Lebanon metropolitan area, which includes surrounding townships and boroughs, has a population of about 140,000. The racial makeup of the city is 65.7% White, 5.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 18.7% from other races, and 8.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents, primarily of Puerto Rican descent, constitute approximately 43.8% of the city’s population, making Lebanon one of the more diverse cities in central Pennsylvania.
The median age in Lebanon is 34.6 years. The median household income is about $43,207, which is below the national median. Approximately 21.4% of city residents live below the poverty line. The city has 10,643 housing units with a homeownership rate of 43.2%. The average household size is 2.54 persons.
Lebanon has a long history as a manufacturing and agricultural community. Historically, it was known for the Lebanon Bologna, a unique smoked sausage, and for its role in the iron industry. Today, major employers include WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon School District, Bayer, and various manufacturing and logistics companies. Major highways serving Lebanon include U.S. Route 422, Pennsylvania Route 72, and nearby Interstate 81 and Interstate 78.
Educational institutions in the city include the Lebanon School District, Lebanon Catholic School, and the Harrisburg Area Community College Lebanon Campus. Recreational facilities include Coleman Memorial Park, Stoever’s Dam Park, and the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. The city hosts annual events such as the Lebanon Fair and the Fire and Ice Festival. Lebanon is served by the Lebanon Transit bus system and is within a 30-minute drive to Hershey and a 45-minute drive to Harrisburg, the state capital.
Significant neighborhoods and boroughs surrounding or within the Lebanon area include North Lebanon Township (17046), South Lebanon Township (17042), West Lebanon Township, Cornwall Borough (17016), Myerstown Borough (17067), and Annville Township (17003). The city is known for its strong sense of community, historic architecture, and growing cultural diversity, making it a unique part of Pennsylvania’s landscape.
