# Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

Lebanon County (/ˈlɛbənən/ LEB-ən-ən; Pennsylvania German: Lebnen Kaundi) is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 143,257. Its county seat is the city of Lebanon. It lies 72 miles northwest of Philadelphia, which is the nearest major city. The county is part of the South Central Pennsylvania region of the state.
The county was formed from portions of Dauphin and Lancaster counties in 1813, with minor boundary revisions in 1814 and 1821. Lebanon County comprises the Lebanon metropolitan statistical area, which is part of the Harrisburg–York–Lebanon combined statistical area.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 362 square miles (940 km$^2$), of which 362 square miles (940 km$^2$) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km$^2$) (0.2%) is water. Most of it is drained by the Swatara Creek into the Susquehanna River while some eastern portions are drained by the Tulpehocken Creek (which originates in the county near Myerstown) eastward into the Schuylkill River. It consists in large part of a valley.

### Climate

The county has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and the hardiness zone is 7a, except in higher areas north of the Interstate 78 and 81 corridor, where it is 6b. Average monthly temperatures in center-city Lebanon range from 29.4 °F in January to 74.3 °F in July.

### Adjacent counties

* Schuylkill County (northeast)
* Berks County (east)
* Lancaster County (south)
* Dauphin County (west and northwest)

### Major highways

* I-76 / Penna Turnpike
* I-78
* I-81
* US 22
* US 322
* US 422
* PA 72
* PA 117
* PA 241
* PA 341
* PA 343
* PA 419
* PA 443
* PA 501
* PA 645
* PA 897
* PA 934

## Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 120,327 people and 32,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 332 people per square mile (128 people/km$^2$). There were 49,320 housing units at an average density of 136 units per square mile (53/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 94.46% White, 1.29% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.26% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 4.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.6% were of German, 11.8% American and 6.1% Irish ancestry. 92.5% spoke English, 4.2% Spanish and 1.1% Pennsylvania Dutch as their first language.
There were 46,551 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

### 2020 census

Lebanon County racial composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (NH) | 114,004 | 79.6% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 2,555 | 1.8% |
| Native American (NH) | 119 | 0.1% |
| Asian (NH) | 2,192 | 1.53% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 39 | 0.03% |
| Other/mixed (NH) | 4,000 | 2.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20,348 | 14.2% |

## Metropolitan statistical area

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has designated Lebanon County as the Lebanon, PA metropolitan statistical area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. census the metropolitan area ranked 16th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 296th most populous in the United States with a population of 133,568. Lebanon County is also a part of the larger Harrisburg–York–Lebanon combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the populations of Lebanon County as well as Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, and York counties in Pennsylvania. The combined statistical area ranked 5th largest in the state and 43rd largest in the U.S., with a population of 1,219,422.

## Politics and government

United States presidential election results for Lebanon County, Pennsylvania :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 48,282 | 65.26% | 24,734 | 33.43% | 970 | 1.31% |
| 2020 | 46,731 | 65.03% | 23,932 | 33.30% | 1,195 | 1.66% |
| 2016 | 40,525 | 64.84% | 18,953 | 30.32% | 3,025 | 4.84% |
| 2012 | 35,872 | 63.18% | 19,900 | 35.05% | 1,005 | 1.77% |
| 2008 | 34,314 | 58.59% | 23,310 | 39.80% | 939 | 1.60% |
| 2004 | 37,089 | 66.63% | 18,109 | 32.53% | 467 | 0.84% |
| 2000 | 28,534 | 62.17% | 16,093 | 35.06% | 1,270 | 2.77% |
| 1996 | 21,885 | 53.73% | 14,187 | 34.83% | 4,663 | 11.45% |
| 1992 | 21,512 | 50.00% | 12,350 | 28.71% | 9,159 | 21.29% |
| 1988 | 24,415 | 66.69% | 11,912 | 32.54% | 281 | 0.77% |
| 1984 | 27,008 | 71.61% | 10,520 | 27.89% | 188 | 0.50% |
| 1980 | 24,495 | 68.99% | 8,281 | 23.32% | 2,731 | 7.69% |
| 1976 | 20,880 | 62.65% | 11,785 | 35.36% | 665 | 2.00% |
| 1972 | 25,008 | 77.38% | 6,683 | 20.68% | 629 | 1.95% |
| 1968 | 21,832 | 64.16% | 9,529 | 28.01% | 2,664 | 7.83% |
| 1964 | 17,891 | 52.86% | 15,882 | 46.93% | 72 | 0.21% |
| 1960 | 25,525 | 68.33% | 11,761 | 31.49% | 67 | 0.18% |
| 1956 | 22,556 | 68.35% | 10,406 | 31.53% | 41 | 0.12% |
| 1952 | 20,726 | 63.83% | 11,611 | 35.76% | 135 | 0.42% |
| 1948 | 15,553 | 61.62% | 9,418 | 37.31% | 270 | 1.07% |
| 1944 | 15,206 | 56.00% | 11,818 | 43.52% | 129 | 0.48% |
| 1940 | 13,449 | 50.08% | 13,315 | 49.58% | 93 | 0.35% |
| 1936 | 13,213 | 48.09% | 13,800 | 50.23% | 463 | 1.69% |
| 1932 | 10,487 | 58.97% | 5,924 | 33.31% | 1,373 | 7.72% |
| 1928 | 16,841 | 82.30% | 3,278 | 16.02% | 345 | 1.69% |
| 1924 | 9,494 | 74.27% | 2,464 | 19.28% | 825 | 6.45% |
| 1920 | 8,778 | 70.78% | 3,016 | 24.32% | 608 | 4.90% |
| 1916 | 5,876 | 57.45% | 3,821 | 37.36% | 531 | 5.19% |
| 1912 | 2,378 | 22.48% | 2,972 | 28.09% | 5,230 | 49.43% |
| 1908 | 6,874 | 67.08% | 2,858 | 27.89% | 515 | 5.03% |
| 1904 | 6,938 | 70.19% | 2,449 | 24.78% | 497 | 5.03% |
| 1900 | 7,089 | 66.76% | 3,050 | 28.72% | 479 | 4.51% |
| 1896 | 7,288 | 70.60% | 2,819 | 27.31% | 216 | 2.09% |
| 1892 | 5,403 | 59.11% | 3,409 | 37.29% | 329 | 3.60% |
| 1888 | 6,096 | 61.61% | 3,670 | 37.09% | 129 | 1.30% |
| 1884 | 5,207 | 63.45% | 2,977 | 36.28% | 22 | 0.27% |
| 1880 | 5,042 | 60.95% | 3,218 | 38.90% | 13 | 0.16% |

### Voter registration

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans comprise a majority of registered voters in Lebanon County.
Lebanon County voter registration statistics as of January 2, 2024 :
| Political party | Political party | Total voters | Percentage |
| | Republican | 50,528 | 55.42% |
| | Democratic | 26,238 | 28.78% |
| | No party affiliation | 10,420 | 11.43% |
| | Minor parties | 3,978 | 4.36% |
| Total | Total | 91,164 | 100.00% |

### United States House of Representatives

The county is located in the 9th congressional district, represented by Dan Meuser, Republican.

### State senate

All of the county falls within the 48th Senatorial District. The seat is currently held by Lebanon business owner and Republican Chris Gebhard.

### State House of Representatives

The county is divided into the 98th, 101st, and 102nd Pennsylvania House Districts.

#### 98th District

The 98th District, which includes Mt. Gretna Borough, South Annville Township, and South Londonderry Township is represented by Republican Tom Jones.

#### 101st District

    The 101st District, served by Republican John Schlegel, includes:
| Cornwall Borough Lebanon City North Cornwall Twp. | North Lebanon Twp. South Lebanon Twp. West Cornwall Twp. West Lebanon Twp. |

#### 102nd District

    The 102nd District, served by Republican Russ Diamond, includes:
| Annville Twp. Bethel Twp. Cleona Borough Cold Spring Twp. East Hanover Twp. Heidelberg Twp. | Jackson Twp. Jonestown Borough Millcreek Twp. Myerstown Borough | North Annville Twp. Richland Borough North Londonderry Twp. Palmyra Borough Richland Borough | Swatara Twp. Union Twp. |

### County government

The county is governed by three commissioners, who are elected every four years from a slate of four candidates (two Democrats and two Republicans). Other elected officials include County Controller, Sheriff, Coroner, Prothonotary and Clerk of Court, Recorder of Deeds, County Treasurer, and Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court.

### Electoral history

For most of its history, Lebanon County has been one of the most Republican counties in Pennsylvania. The county is strongly Republican even by the standards of south-central Pennsylvania. It is very conservative for an urban county, having only supported a Democrat for president once since 1880. That came when Franklin D. Roosevelt won it in his 46-state landslide reelection; even then, FDR only carried it by 587 votes. The only other time since 1880 that the county has failed to support a Republican was in 1912, when the GOP was mortally divided and Theodore Roosevelt carried it on the Bull Moose ticket.
In 1964, Lebanon County was one of only four counties in the state to vote for Barry Goldwater, along with Snyder, Union, and Wayne counties.
In the 2006 election for U.S. Senate, the county cast 21,756 votes (55.1%) for Republican Rick Santorum and 17,737 (44.9%) for Democrat Bob Casey, Jr., who won the race. In that year's gubernatorial election, the county cast 22,775 votes (57.5%) for Republican Lynn Swann and 16,813 (42.5%) for Democrat Ed Rendell, who won the race.
In the 2004 presidential election, the county cast 37,089 votes (66.6%) for Republican George W. Bush and 18,109 (32.5%) for Democrat John Kerry. In that same year's election for U.S. Senate, the county cast 35,336 votes (66.8%) for Republican Arlen Specter, 13,182 for Democrat Joe Hoeffel, 3,320 (6.3%) for Constitution Party candidate Jim Clymer, and 1,083 (2.0%) for Libertarian Betsy Summers. In the 2008 presidential election the county cast 34,314 votes (58.59%) for Republican John McCain and 23,310 votes (39.8%) for Barack Obama. In the 2016 presidential election, the county cast 38,804 votes (65,9%) for Republican Donald Trump and 17,860 votes (30,3%) for Democrat Hillary Clinton.
In the 2002 gubernatorial election, the county cast 22,659 votes (62.7%) for Republican Mike Fisher and 12,712 (35.2%) for Democrat Ed Rendell, who won the race. In the 2002 race for the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican George Gekas received 21,733 votes (60.9%) from the county while Democrat Tim Holden received 13,945 (39.1%); Holden won.

## Education
### Colleges and universities

* Harrisburg Area Community College (Lebanon Campus)
* Lebanon Valley College
* Evangelical Seminary

### Public school districts

* Annville-Cleona School District
* Cornwall-Lebanon School District
* Eastern Lebanon County School District
* Lebanon School District
* Northern Lebanon School District
* Palmyra Area School District

## Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lebanon County:

### City

* Lebanon (county seat)

### Boroughs

* Cleona
* Cornwall
* Jonestown
* Mount Gretna
* Myerstown
* Palmyra
* Richland

### Townships

* Annville
* Bethel
* Cold Spring
* East Hanover
* Heidelberg
* Jackson
* Millcreek
* North Annville
* North Cornwall
* North Lebanon
* North Londonderry
* South Annville
* South Lebanon
* South Londonderry
* Swatara
* Union
* West Cornwall
* West Lebanon

### Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.
* Annville
* Avon
* Campbelltown
* Fort Indiantown Gap
* Fredericksburg
* Hebron
* Lebanon South
* Mount Gretna Heights
* Newmanstown
* Pleasant Hill
* Quentin
* Sand Hill
* Schaefferstown
* Timber Hills

### Other unincorporated communities

* Anthracite
* Bellegrove
* Beverly Heights
* Bordnersville
* Buffalo Springs
* Bunker Hill
* Canaan Grove
* Clear Spring
* Coffeetown
* Colebrook
* Coheva
* Dogtown
* East Hanover
* Ebenezer
* Edisonville
* Eustontown
* Flintville
* Fontana
* Freeport Mills
* Gold Mine
* Gravel Hill
* Greble
* Green Point
* Hamlin
* Harper Tavern
* Hauckville
* Heilmandale
* Indiantown
* Inwood
* Iona
* Johnstown
* Kleinfeltersville
* Kutztown
* Lawn
* Lickdale
* McGillstown
* Midway
* Millardsville
* Millbach
* Millbach Springs
* Mount Ararat
* Mount Pleasant
* Mount Wilson
* Mount Zion
* Murray
* Nacetown
* Ono
* Pansy Hill
* Plainville
* Prescott
* Reinoeldville
* Reistville
* Rocherty
* Rockwood
* Sheridan
* Shirksville
* Springhaven
* Stricklerstown
* Syner
* Union Water Works
* Upper Lawn
* Valley Glenn
* Waldeck
* Weavertown, Jackson Township
* Weavertown, North Lebanon Township
* West Jonestown
* Westmont
* Woodfort
* Zinns Mill

### Ghost towns

* Cold Spring
* Rausch Gap

### Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lebanon County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
| 1 | † Lebanon | City | 25,477 |
| 2 | Palmyra | Borough | 7,320 |
| 3 | Annville (township) | CDP | 4,767 |
| 4 | Cornwall | Borough | 4,112 |
| 5 | Campbelltown | CDP | 3,616 |
| 6 | Myerstown | Borough | 3,062 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | CDP | 2,643 |
| 8 | Sand Hill | CDP | 2,496 |
| 9 | Newmanstown | CDP | 2,478 |
| 10 | Lebanon South | CDP | 2,270 |
| 11 | Cleona | Borough | 2,080 |
| 12 | Jonestown | Borough | 1,905 |
| 13 | Avon | CDP | 1,667 |
| 14 | Richland | Borough | 1,519 |
| 15 | Fredericksburg | CDP | 1,357 |
| 16 | Hebron | CDP | 1,305 |
| 17 | Schaefferstown | CDP | 941 |
| 18 | Quentin | CDP | 594 |
| 19 | Timber Hills | CDP | 360 |
| 20 | Mount Gretna Heights | CDP | 323 |
| 21 | Mount Gretna | Borough | 196 |
| 22 | Fort Indiantown Gap | CDP | 143 |

## Parks and recreational places

* Memorial Lake State Park
* Swatara State Park
* Union Canal Tunnel Park
* Lions Lake Park
* Coleman's Memorial Park
* Stoever's Dam Park
* South Hill's Park
* Mount Gretna Lake
* Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
* Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails
* Bordner Cabin