Economic Growth and Quality of Life in Lehigh Valley, PA

Insights

Economic Growth and Quality of Life Highlighted at 2025 LVEDC Annual Meeting

Last month, LINC’s President, Katelyn Mack, joined more than 800 Lehigh Valley leaders at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s (LVEDC) Annual Meeting. The event, which marked LVEDC’s 30th anniversary, was both a celebration of impressive milestones and a call to action for the region’s continued progress.

“The Lehigh Valley is the economic engine of the Commonwealth. The Lehigh Valley is the Pennsylvania shining star,” commented one speaker at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) Annual Meeting.

This sense of pride and optimism marked the event.

A Region on the Rise

For anyone new to the Lehigh Valley, the data shared was inspiring:

Population Growth: The Lehigh Valley has grown by 6.5% since 2013—outpacing both the state and national averages. As Jay Garner, President and Founder of Garner Economics, noted, this positions our region alongside some of the fastest-growing areas.
Economic Powerhouse: For the first time, the region’s GDP hit $56 billion.
National Recognition: The Lehigh Valley ranked #3 in the U.S. among mid-sized markets for new development projects and #5 in the Northeast overall—beating out many larger metropolitan areas.

In addition, cities and towns across the region have been recognized as “Top 100 Places to Live” (Livability) and “Best downtown in PA” (World Atlas).

These numbers and accolades reflect what many of us see and feel in our day-to-day lives: energy, investment, and momentum. You can read a full recap of the event on LVEDC’s website.

What This Means for Newcomers

At LINC, we work every day to help newcomers—from healthcare workers to engineers to business professionals—feel welcome and rooted in the Lehigh Valley. The region’s growth is encouraging not just because it signals economic opportunity, but because it shows that the Lehigh Valley is increasingly a place where people choose to build lives.

We’re seeing it in the data:

Median household income has increased by $17,000 over the past five years, now reaching $81,700.
Unemployment remains low, consistently below State and National averages.
Living & Working: More people are choosing to both live and work in the region rather than commute elsewhere.

At the LVEDC Annual Meeting a panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders shared what brought them to the Lehigh Valley, why they stay, and why others should consider the region.

The panel included

Shahnaz Hanna, Co-owner of Union and Finch restaurant in Allentown
Paul Hodges, CEO and Co-founder of Soltech Solutions in Bethlehem
Orville Trout, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Crayola and LINC Board Member
Karianne Gelinas, Vice President of Regional Partnerships & Talent Strategies at LVEDC.

The discussion was moderated by Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest.

The panelists highlighted the variety of ways that they have felt embraced and supported by the Lehigh Valley community. Their stories showcased how the Lehigh Valley has unique qualities that make it a great place to start a business and raise a family. You can read more about the panel in the article ‘Making the Lehigh Valley Home‘ by LVEDC.

This growing local attachment strengthens “quality of life”; the intangible qualities like belonging, community pride, and trust that make a region truly thrive. LINC is deeply committed to cultivating these attributes through relationship-building, volunteerism, and cross-sector collaboration.

A recent LINC webinar touched on the paths to volunteerism and service in the Lehigh Valley for those ready to get more involved in community life. Check out the recording in this blog post.

Opportunity, Equity, and the Path Forward

A panel of folks who moved to the Lehigh Valley highlighted the event. They shared why they chose to live and work in the Lehigh Valley

“We wanted a fair shot as entrepreneurs.”
“We wanted a better life for our family.”
“We wanted a place we could call home.”

These reflect the stories LINC staff here every day from newcomers about what makes the Lehigh Valley special: opportunity and community.

As we look ahead to the next 30 years, our region must continue to prioritize not just growth—but inclusive growth. Issues like housing, childcare, and education aren’t just personal challenges; they’re economic ones. If we want to remain competitive, we must ensure that families relocating here can find affordable places to live, access to high-quality childcare, and supportive, well-resourced schools.

The good news? The Lehigh Valley is a region that collaborates. Government, business, and community leaders regularly come together to tackle tough issues. That spirit gives me confidence that we will continue building a region where newcomers not only find jobs—but also find community, purpose, and belonging.

About LINC
LINC helps newcomers feel welcomed, get rooted, and thrive in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. From career support to cultural connection, we make it easier for individuals and families to call their new community home.

For more information or to request LINC services for your employees, contact us.