One of the nation’s hottest zip codes. A Top 10 Public Market. Best downtown.
Those are just some of the honors Lehigh Valley has secured over the last year, underscoring why the Lehigh Valley is among the Northeast’s fastest growing regions, particularly among young adults.
The Lehigh Valley’s growing population offers companies talent they need to grow their businesses, driving a $55.7 billion, balanced economy that is among the top mid-sized markets in the nation for economic development.
The Lehigh Valley’s strength is the blend of opportunity, culture, and amenities it delivers, all in one remarkable place. Here is a rundown of the accolades that prove it.
Globally Recognized Historic Site
On Sept. 6, the Lehigh Valley celebrated the Moravian Church Settlements in Bethlehem being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of only 26 sites in the U.S. to achieve the prestigious designation, including Independence Hall and the Statue of Liberty.
The day-long celebration included the presentation of the World Heritage recognition plaque — officially marking this historic milestone for the community.
The designation is expected to significantly boost cultural tourism to Bethlehem and elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley, attracting visitors from around the world. That tourism is anticipated to influence economic development, by increasing the region’s prominence to a global audience and enriching the region’s high quality of life, a critical factor people consider when choosing where to live, work, or start a business.
The block party atmosphere included live music, food, tours of the historic site, historic demonstrations, and a Community Lovefeast hosted by the six Bethlehem Area Moravian Churches.
Covering 10 acres and multiple buildings, the Bethlehem Moravian Church site tells the story of the Moravian religious missionaries who settled Bethlehem in 1741 on a social and economic experiment that resulted in a legacy of innovation, town planning, and architecture.
Bethlehem’s World Heritage designation, granted last year, is part of a transnational site that demonstrates the universal value of Moravian Church settlements globally. The site includes Gracehill in Northern Ireland/United Kingdom; Herrnhut, Germany; and Christiansfeld, Denmark, which previously had been designated a World Heritage location in 2015.
Desirable Communities
For the fifth consecutive year, a Lehigh Valley community was named one of the hottest ZIP codes in the U.S. for home sales, reflecting the demand to live in the region. 
The 18104 ZIP code that covers nearly 23 square miles in Lehigh County was No. 16 on the Top 50 list compiled Realtor.com®. The ZIP code includes parts of Allentown and Whitehall, South Whitehall, North Whitehall, Upper Macungie, and Lower Macungie townships.
The area includes older urban homes with unique architecture, new suburban neighborhoods, and regional attractions such as the Civic Theatre of Allentown, Trexler Memorial Park, Malcolm Gross Rose Garden, the Allentown Fairgrounds, Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest colleges, and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
For the fifth consecutive year, Bethlehem was named one of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live” by Livability.com.
“Bethlehem is small but mighty, making it a draw for professionals to plant roots. Key industries in the city include health care, manufacturing, and educational services. St. Luke’s University Health Network, Lehigh University, and Bethlehem Area School District are among the largest employers. And to sweeten the deal? Just Born Quality Confections, the candy manufacturer known for Peeps marshmallows, is headquartered here. Living a stone’s throw from major players in the country’s economy, such as New York City and Philadelphia, doesn’t hurt either.”
Stay, Shop, Dine
Three Lehigh Valley attractions were rated highly by readers of USA Today, winning accolades in the publication’s “10 Best” Readers’ Choice Awards.
Bethlehem Main Street: No. 1 ranked “Best Main Street”
“Main Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is super walkable, and offers lots of dining options ranging from Spanish to Thai. There are also numerous watering holes and a chocolate trail that runs through this part of downtown. The centrally located Historic Hotel Bethlehem is an ideal base for a weekend getaway to the Lehigh Valley.”
Historic Hotel Bethlehem: No. 1 ranked “Best Historic Hotel/Resort” (for 5th consecutive year)
“Guests of the Historic Hotel Bethlehem can learn about the hotel’s storied history in the Lower Lobby. A hotel has occupied the site since 1741, though the structure was used as a convalescence home for World War I soldiers for a period. Today, guests enjoy modern amenities at this historic setting in the heart of Moravian Bethlehem.”
Easton Public Market: No. 10 ranked “Best Public Market”
“This public market is an outgrowth of Easton Farmers' Market, the oldest, continuous open-air market in the United States. The Public Market enhances that experience with a demonstration kitchen and community room, along with artisanal food vendors. So, you can take a class on how to use those gorgeous mushrooms, strawberries, and hand-carved meats you just picked up.”
Sky’s the Limit
Lehigh Valley International Airport scored high on Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Airport, landing at No. 2, for the second consecutive year. 
“Lehigh Valley International Airport has three major airline partners plus a budget partner with 15 nonstop destinations. If you're traveling with kids, you'll enjoy features like the children's play area, which lets littles get their wiggles out, and the sensory room, which provides a soothing reprieve when travel gets overwhelming. When it's time to board, friendly staff make your departure all the more pleasant.”
(Photos by LVEDC, Rick Kintzel, Lehigh Valley International Airport)