Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania officially the Commonwealth (refers to the "common weal" or well-being of the public) of Pennsylvania. It is a state in the Mid-Atlantic, bordered by New York and Lake Erie in the north; New York and New Jersey in the east; Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia in the south; and West Virginia and Ohio in the west. Pennsylvania is the 5th-most populous state with 12,801,989 inhabitants in 2019. Its capital is Harrisburg, but its largest city is Philadelphia. Its governor is Tom Wolf.
Pennsylvania generally has a humid continental climate characterized by wide fluctuations in seasonal temperatures, with prevailing winds from the west. The average temperature in July is about 70 °F (21 °C) and in January about 28 °F (−2 °C). The growing season varies from nearly 200 days in the southeast to only 90 days in the north-central part of the state. About half of the state is wooded, although only small areas are still virgin forest, which has made Pennsylvania a place unique for hunting thanks to its abundant wildlife: rabbits, pheasants, and squirrels, tens of thousands of deer and a few hundred black bears.
In 1681, Englishman William Penn, a member of a Christian group called the Quakers, founded the British colony of Pennsylvania. A wave of German immigrants including Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish moved to the area. These settlers eventually developed their own dialect and their descendants are now called the Pennsylvania Dutch. In 1787, after the Independence War ended, Pennsylvania became the second U.S. state.
The economy of Pennsylvania has evolved through three distinct eras since the time of the first settlement, but since the 1920s service activities have increased drastically and have come to dominate employment. Of the total workforce, only a tiny fraction is now employed in the primary sector (agriculture, mining, and lumbering).
Pennsylvania Statistics
| Number of cities/towns/villages | 2,560 |
|---|---|
| Number of counties | 67 |
| Population | 13,002,700 |
| Area | 119,280 km² |
| Density | 109 people/km² |
| Altitude | 979 m |
| Major cities | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading |
| Ethnicity | White: 74% Black: 12% Hispanic: 8% Asian: 4% |
| Crime rate | 2,180 |
| GDP | $839 billion |
| Median household income | $61,744 |
Common questions about Pennsylvania
What is the cheapest place to live in Pennsylvania ?The cheapest area to live in Pennsylvania, known for affordability, is often considered to be Johnstown, PA. This town is noted as one of the most affordable places within the state code PA. Housing and cost of living are particularly low compared to other areas. |
What is the safest city, town or area in Pennsylvania ?State College is often regarded as the safest city in Pennsylvania. This town, home to a major university, frequently ranks highly in safety due to low crime rates and a strong community focus on public security and safety initiatives. |
What is the city with the best weather in Pennsylvania ?Philadelphia is considered the city with the best weather in Pennsylvania. It experiences milder winters compared to northern parts of the state, and residents enjoy a balance of four distinct seasons, with moderately hot summers and relatively mild winters, contributing to comfortable overall climate conditions. |
Get the contact information for all cities in this commonwealth. Find general information, official websites, email, phone numbers, addresses, and much more.
Complete List of Cities in Pennsylvania
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