Easton is a city located in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,263. It is the county seat of Northampton County. Together with Allentown and Bethlehem, Easton comprises the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania's third most populous metropolitan area. Easton is located 60 miles (100 km) north of Philadelphia, and 70 miles (110 km) west of New York City.
Easton is the headquarters of Binney & Smith, the world-famous manufacturer of Crayola crayons.
Easton also is known for its high school's athletic rivalries with neighboring Phillipsburg, New Jersey, which is one of the largest such rivalries in the nation.
Geography
Easton is located at 40°41'18" North, 75°12'59" West (40.688248, -75.216458)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.0 km² (4.7 mi²). 11.0 km² (4.3 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 8.39% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 26,263 people, 9,544 households, and 5,735 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,380.3/km² (6,168.4/mi²). There are 10,545 housing units at an average density of 955.7/km² (2,476.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 78.48% White, 12.71% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 3.67% from other races, and 3.13% from two or more races. 9.79% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,544 households out of which 30.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% are married couples living together, 16.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% are non-families. 31.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 3.10.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 16.3% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $33,162, and the median income for a family is $38,704. Males have a median income of $32,356 versus $23,609 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,949. 16.0% of the population and 12.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
In 1736 Thomas Penn set aside a 1000 acre (4 km²) tract of land at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. The City of Easton officially came into existence in 1750. In 1776 Easton was one of the 3 places the Declaration of Independence was read.
One of the earliest Christmas trees in North America is said to have been erected in Easton, and there is a plaque off Route 611 marking the supposed exact spot.
Famous Easton residents
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Larry Holmes, boxing's former world heavyweight champion, who fought under the nickname "The Easton Assassin."
External links
Last updated: 08-03-2005 17:41:01
