Community Profiles Now Include More Places to Explore

We've enhanced the "Places" section of our Community Profiles to make it easier for you to discover popular nearby places.

Pennsylvania Gazetteer

Pennsylvania - Basic Information

Became a State: December 12, 1787 - 2nd State
Population: 12,702,379 (2010 Census) - Ranks 6th
Land Area: 44,742.7 square miles - Ranks 32nd
Population Density: 283.9 persons per square mile - Ranks 9th
Housing Units: 5,567,315 (2010 Census)
Housing Unit Density: 124.4 housing units per square mile
July 1, 2023 Estimates: Pennsylvania Data and Demographics
State Capital: Harrisburg
State Website: Official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Website
Pennsylvania State Flag
Pennsylvania state flag

Quick & Easy Ways to...

  1. Get Current Demographic Data for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  2. View Boundary Maps, for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  3. Locate Physical, Cultural, and Historical Features

Use HTL Address Research for a Pennsylvania Address and get...

Boundary Maps, Demographic Data, School Zones Review maps and data for the neighborhood, city, county, ZIP Code, and school zone. July 1, 2023, data includes home values, household income, percentage of homes owned, rented or vacant, etc.


Pennsylvania Neighborhood Explorer

NOTE: The BEST tool for researching a neighborhood is the HTL Address Research Tool (above). However, if you do not have an address, the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Explorer is the SECOND-BEST-TOOL to research a neighborhood (it provides a subset of the information that the Address Research Tool provides), but you can get a report by simply marking a spot on a map.

The Pennsylvania Neighborhood Explorer helps you to research any Pennsylvania neighborhood (census block group) and get home values, average household income, owner/renter/ occupancy rates, projected growth rates, boundary maps, comparisons to other communities, and much more.

Simply mark a spot on a state map and you'll have your results within 3-seconds!

Pennsylvania Neighborhood Explorer


Pennsylvania History

Pennsylvania State Flower
Pennsylvania State Flower - Mountain Laurel

The area of Pennsylvania was part of the original territory of the United States. It was chartered in 1681, although New York did not relinquish its claim to the area until the following year. The southern boundary was resolved with the survey of the Mason and Dixon Line in the 1760s. Connecticut had claims to Pennsylvania territory resolved by award of the Continental Congress in 1782. Pennsylvania ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 12, 1787; it was the second of the original 13 states to join the Union. Pennsylvania assumed generally the same boundary as the present state with the acquisition of the Erie Triangle from New York in 1792. Pennsylvania is one of four states that are legally described as a commonwealth.

Census data for Pennsylvania are available beginning with the 1790 census. Any population that was enumerated in the Erie Triangle was included in Pennsylvania, although this area was not legally part of the state until 1792.

Pennsylvania Geographical Areas

See: Geographic Terms & Concepts

Counties & County Equivalents

Interactive Map of Pennsylvania Counties | Static Overview Map of Pennsylvania Counties

There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania.  Philadelphia County and Philadelphia city are governmentally consolidated and function as a municipal government.  All other counties are each governed by a board of county commissioners.


County Subdivisions

Pennsylvania has 2,575 county subdivisions known as minor civil divisions (MCDs).  There are 1,546 townships with active functioning governments and 1 township, Cold Spring township in Lebanon County, which is an inactive entity. Each township is governed by an elected board of commissioners or a board of supervisors.  The 1,015 incorporated places are independent of MCDs and serve as 1,027 county subdivisions.  In addition, there is one undefined MCD that consists entirely of water area.

Places (Incorporated Cities, Towns & Census Designated Places (CDPs))

Pennsylvania State Bird
Pennsylvania State Bird - Ruffed Grouse

Pennsylvania has 1,764 places; 1,015 incorporated places and 749 census designated places (CDPs).  The incorporated places consist of 954 boroughs, 57 cities, 3 municipalities, and 1 town.  MCD and place governments have the same power and functions in Pennsylvania.  Incorporated places in Pennsylvania are independent of county subdivisions.

Alphabetical List of Cities, Towns, CDPs and Other Populated Places
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q, R | S | T | U, V | W, X, Y, Z

Pennsylvania Civil Features

Pennsylvania Civil Features: Political Subdivisions, Native Areas, Land Grants, etc. - sorted by Census Class Codes.

Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas

There are 18 Metropolitan and 17 Micropolitan Statistical Areas in Pennsylvania. PA Metopolitan & Micropolitan Areas

Pennsylvania ZIP Code Tabulation Areas

There are 1,798 ZIP Code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) in Pennsylvania. View Pennsylvania ZIP Codes and ZIP Code Maps.

School Districts

Pennsylvania has 501 unified school districts. View Pennsylvania Public and Private Schools.

Congressional Districts

Pennsylvania has 18 congressional districts. An interactive map shows the contact information for each Representative as well as the boundaries for each Pennsylvania district. View Map of Pennsylvania Congressional Districts.

State Legislative Districts

There are 50 state senate districts and 203 state house districts in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Physical, Cultural and Historic Features

  1. Pennsylvania Physical Features such as lakes, islands, streams, valleys, summits, etc.
  2. Pennsylvania Cultural Features such as schools, churches, hospitals, parks, dams, reservoirs, etc.
  3. Pennsylvania Historical Features and Pennsylvania Historic Landmarks

Pennsylvania Maps

  • To find a ZIP Code: input the address in the top-left search box of any ZIP Code Map.
  • To find the County: input the address in the top-left search box of the interactive PA map.
  • To find the School Attendance Zone: input the address in the top-left search box of any PA school map

Quick & Easy Ways to...

  1. Get Current Demographic Data for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  2. View Boundary Maps, for Cities, Towns, and ZIP Codes
  3. Locate Physical, Cultural, and Historical Features

Pennsylvania Census Data Comparison Tool

Compare Pennsylvania July 1, 2023 Data
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