Lebanon, Pennsylvania

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Lebanon is a city in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and the county seat. It had 26,814 people in the 2020 census and covers about 4.2 square miles, all land.

Where it is and how it began
- Lebanon sits about 61 miles southwest of Allentown, 26 miles east of Harrisburg, and 88 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
- It was settled around 1720 along a creek and founded in 1740 as Steitztown by George Steitz. It became a borough in 1821 and a city in 1885.
- The name Lebanon comes from the ancient country, though locals often say it as “Leb-nin.” The city is known for its history and its local foods.

What people and life in Lebanon are like
- The city is known for Lebanon bologna, a type of sausage first made here.
- The Union Canal once ran through the north side of the city (1828–1885).
- San Giorgio pasta has been made in Lebanon since 1914 and later became part of Hershey Foods.
- Bethlehem Steel once operated a major mill in the area.

Geography, climate, and nature
- The Quittapahilla Creek flows through the area toward the Susquehanna River.
- Lebanon has a hot-summer humid continental climate. In central Lebanon, average temperatures range from about 29°F in January to 74°F in July.

People and schools
- In 2020, about 60.8% of residents were White, 5.4% Black, 1.3% Asian, with 5.6% two or more races, and about 43.8% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
- Public education is provided by the Lebanon School District, which has five elementary schools, plus Lebanon Middle School and Lebanon High School. Starting in 2024–25, the middle school is being replaced with an intermediate school for grades 5–6 and a junior high for grades 7–8.
- Private schools include Blue Mountain Christian School, New Covenant Christian School, and Lebanon Christian Academy. The Lebanon campus of Harrisburg Area Community College serves the area.

Places to visit and culture
- The Market House and the Lebanon Farmers Market are part of local history.
- The city celebrates its food traditions, including Lebanon bologna, and is featured in various TV shows and films, including the 2010 movie Lebanon, PA.
- A notable historical episode is the 1878 murder trial near Fort Indiantown Gap, which earned the “Blue-eyed Six” nickname and inspired a Sherlock Holmes story.