Demographics and History

Bethlehem is home to over 71,000 and is one of three major cities ? along with Allentown and Easton ? that comprise the Lehigh Valley metro area. The city was first settled in 1741 and incorporated as a free borough in 1845. Mindful of Bethlehem?s tie to the story of Christmas, the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce adopted the nickname ?Christmas City, USA? in 1937. Many thousands of tourists still flock to the city during the holidays to see its spectacular Christmas displays.

Economics

Steel production was the basis of the economy in Bethlehem for most of the 19th and 20th Centuries; The Bethlehem Steel Corporation, founded in 1904, was the first company to produce the now-ubiquitous ?I-beam? and was a major supplier of armor plate and ordnance products during World War I and World War II. There are still many manufacturing jobs in Bethlehem today, but thriving tourism, service, and financial industries are quickly becoming the economic centerpiece of the city.

Sports and Recreation

Bethlehem residents have access to an excellent system of local parks and playgrounds, as well as the nearby Nockamixon State Park. For professional sports entertainment, Philadelphia is less than an hour away and offers the NFL?s Philadelphia Eagles, the NHL?s Philadelphia Flyers, and the NBA?s Philadelphia 76ers. The Eagles hold their pre-season training camp each August at the football facilities of Lehigh University right here in town.

Arts and Culture

For artistic and cultural entertainment, Bethlehem residents enjoy everything the Philadelphia area has to offer: The Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of American Art, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Prince Music Theatre, Ortlieb?s Jazz Haus, The Pennsylvania Ballet, the Theatre of Living Arts, and the Keswick Theatre. The city has its own interesting cultural attractions as well, including the MusikFest festival every August and the 81 foot-high "Star of Bethlehem" Christmastime display on South Mountain.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has a variety of real estate listings from which to choose and a New Homes Realty, Inc. agent is ready to help you locate the real estate that best fits your needs. By combining the power of the Internet and our own network of real estate professionals, New Homes Realty, Inc. is ready to assist you in every possible way. Whether you are looking for townhouses, condos, luxury homes, or investment properties, let New Homes Realty, Inc. find you a new home in Bethlehem.