Facts about Lebanon County

Lebanon County is situated in the Lebanon Valley, bounded on the north with the Blue mountains covered with forests and state game lands through which runs the Appalachian Trail. To the south is another forested mountain ridge area with state games lands through which runs the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Total land area is 362.9 square miles. The fourteen miles of flat land between these two ridges contains 980 farms with total cropland of 112,000 acres. The Hagerstown soil types found in the southern part of the county are among the richest in the nation. Temperature averages 50 degrees and rainfall averages about 40 inches.

The economy of Lebanon is diverse and robust. Agriculturally, the county regularly ranks in the the top two in the state in poultry and production; and the top six in milk, corn, and soybean production. Rural and urban areas interface throughout the valley which is home to almost 120,000 people. The county seat is the city of Lebanon (pop. 28,000). Employment levels are among the highest in the state with a mixture of industrial, commercial manufacturing, and small businesses adding to the vigor of the economy. The county is readily accessible due to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate Routes 78 and 81. The ease of transportation has lead to a recent growth spurt in the northern corridor of the county.

Culturally, the founding settlers were of German heritage with influxes of new residents from other European countries. The county retains a large population of Amish and Mennonite plain folks who share an Anabaptist heritage. A growing Latino/Hispanic population is adding more diversity to the region.

Lebanon County is within easy drive of about two hours to major metropolitan areas such as Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Baltimore, and New York City. The county is also home to Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, a major training facility for the National guard.

County Statistics

Economic Data

Demographics

Agricultural Production