Lancaster County

Lancaster County
County	Lancaster County
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	May 10, 1729
Seat	Lancaster
Largest city	Lancaster
Area total sq mi	984
Area land sq mi	949
Area water sq mi	35
Population as of	2020
Population total	552,984
Population density sq mi	582.7
Time zone	Eastern
District	11th
Named for	Lancashire

Lancaster County. Located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is one of the three original counties, along with Philadelphia and Bucks, formed by William Penn. The county seat and largest city is Lancaster, which served as the capital of the United States for a single day in 1777. Renowned for its fertile Lancaster Valley and significant Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, the county is a major center for agriculture and tourism.

Geography

Lancaster County is situated in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordered by the Susquehanna River to the west and Chester County to the east. The landscape is dominated by the fertile Lancaster Valley, part of the Great Appalachian Valley, with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the south. Major waterways include the Conestoga River and the Pequea Creek, which feed into the Susquehanna River. The county's terrain ranges from rolling farmland to forested hills, with notable features like the Chickies Rock overlook. It is adjacent to York County across the Susquehanna River and Lebanon County to the north.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Susquehannock people before European settlement. Founded in 1729 from part of Chester County, it was named for the English county of Lancashire. It became a critical region during the American Revolution; the Continental Congress met in Lancaster at the Lancaster Courthouse after fleeing Philadelphia. The Conestoga wagon was developed here, facilitating westward expansion. The Pennsylvania Railroad later established major lines through towns like Columbia. The county was also the site of the 1763 Paxton Boys massacre and is home to historic structures like Wheatland, the estate of President James Buchanan.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 552,984, making it one of the most populous counties in Pennsylvania. The largest racial group is non-Hispanic White, with significant communities of Hispanic or Latino and African American residents. A distinctive demographic is the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite populations, among the largest in the world, concentrated in townships like East Lampeter and Leacock. Other notable municipalities include Manheim Township, Ephrata, and Lititz. The county is part of the Lancaster metropolitan area.

Economy

The economy has long been anchored by agriculture, with the county being a national leader in production of livestock, dairy, corn, and tobacco. Major agribusinesses include the Turkey Hill Dairy and Wilbur Chocolate Company. Manufacturing remains vital, with companies like Armstrong World Industries and Tyson Foods operating facilities. Tourism is a major industry, centered on the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, attracting visitors to sites like the Strasburg Rail Road, Dutch Wonderland, and the Central Market. The Lancaster General Hospital is a leading employer, and the Franklin & Marshall College contributes to the local economy.

Government

Lancaster County operates under a Board of Commissioners structure, with three elected commissioners. The county is part of the 11th Congressional District, represented in the United States House of Representatives. The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas is part of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. Other key offices include the District Attorney and the Lancaster County Sheriff. The county is historically a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, often voting for candidates like Donald Trump and George W. Bush.

Education

Public education is provided by 16 school districts, including the School District of Lancaster and the Manheim Township School District. Higher education institutions include Franklin & Marshall College, a private liberal arts college; Millersville University of Pennsylvania, part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education; and Lancaster Theological Seminary. The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a prominent technical college. The county is also served by the Lancaster County Library System, with branches like the Lancaster Public Library. Private schools include Lancaster Country Day School and Lancaster Mennonite School.

Category:Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Category:1729 establishments in Pennsylvania Category:Populated places established in 1729