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 County6. Together with Allentown, Pennsylvania and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Easton comprises the "Lehigh Valley," Pennsylvania's third most populous metropolitan area.
Easton is the headquarters of Binney & Smith, the world-famous manufacturer of Crayola crayons.
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.
Citizens
Easton's most illustrious living citizen is former world heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes, who fought under the nickname "The Easton Assassin."
History
Frontispiece from Souvenir of the Fiftieth Annual Session, State Council, Pennsylvania, Junior Order United American Mechanics (Dated 1909)
Located at the juncture of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, Easton is a place of much interest to the historian, educator, manufactuer, business man, and all lovers of beautiful scenery. Between 1730 and 1735 that bold, aggressive class, the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, formed a settlement which in 1750 was laid out as a town by Wm. Parsons under the direction of Thomas and Richard Penn. It was incorporated as a borough by an act of the legislature 1789.
Easton is now one of the most important of the inland cities of the State. The mercantile and manufactureing interests have grouwn enormously and the city has spread far beyoind its original limits, taking in the prosperous town of South Easton and contemplates taking in West Easton and portion of Palmer township.
Easton, with the town of Phillipsburg, N. J. over the Delaware River, combines a population of practically 50,000. It is the seat of Lafayette College and has an unsurpassed public school system. The city is well supplied with execlent water, has extensive trolly lines, paved streets, paid fire department, its own electric light plant and a system of sewers.
Amoung the many manufacturing institutions may be mentiond the Ingersoll-Rand Drill Works, Warren Foundry, Simon's Silk Mills, Chipman's Hosiery Mills, Chemical Works, Organ Works, Foundry and Machine Shops Live Newspapersa and well equipped Printing Offices. THE FREE PRESS PUBLISHING CO'S. Book and Job Department (Printers of this Souvenir of Easton)[Ed.-from the origial] is one of the leading plants and aims to the the better grades of printing. Business men will find it unnecessary to go to the larger cities when in need of extra fine work.
Those manufactures who realize the need of effective calalogues and booklets in the promotion of their business, will be interested in this industry for the adequate handling of their work, The free Press Publishing Co., publishers of the Easton Daily and Simi-Weekly Free Press, will assume the responsibility for all details. Careful consideration of their facilities will convince you of the broad character of service they are in a position to render.
Altogether Easton is a very busy and prosperous community.