Across the 22 communities we serve in the Lehigh Valley and nearby Warren County, NJ, housing age swings widely. In Easton, 63% of homes were built before 1940. In Forks Township, only 4% were. That gap shapes a remodel more than most finishes do: it affects what's behind the walls, how far a layout can change, and how a budget compares with what the home is worth.
The figures below come from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey, so every town is measured the same way. They describe housing overall, not any one home, and they include no VM Power project data.
Lehigh Valley homes by town
Sorted from the highest share of pre-1940 homes to the lowest. Town names link to local remodeling details.
Swipe the table sideways to see all five columns.
| Town | Before 1940 | Before 1980 | Attached | Median value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easton | 63% | 85% | 34% | $196,300 |
| Nazareth | 54% | 86% | 16% | $240,300 |
| Catasauqua | 52% | 87% | 37% | $209,900 |
| Phillipsburg | 51% | 86% | 18% | $193,200 |
| Northampton Borough | 50% | 73% | 37% | $235,200 |
| Allentown | 38% | 82% | 36% | $206,600 |
| Coopersburg | 33% | 85% | 12% | $317,000 |
| Bethlehem | 31% | 79% | 28% | $260,400 |
| Emmaus | 30% | 78% | 25% | $266,000 |
| Hellertown | 30% | 87% | 18% | $256,200 |
| Macungie | 19% | 44% | 41% | $292,900 |
| Whitehall | 16% | 70% | 19% | $262,100 |
| Lower Saucon | 15% | 51% | 13% | $396,200 |
| Salisbury Township | 14% | 75% | 5% | $344,700 |
| South Whitehall | 10% | 60% | 14% | $365,100 |
| Lopatcong | 9% | 50% | 11% | $358,400 |
| Center Valley | 6% | 44% | 12% | $461,600 |
| Upper Macungie | 6% | 22% | 28% | $418,800 |
| Bethlehem Township | 5% | 33% | 11% | $376,500 |
| Lower Macungie | 5% | 30% | 24% | $406,500 |
| Palmer Township | 5% | 51% | 15% | $318,800 |
| Forks Township | 4% | 20% | 26% | $358,900 |
Where the oldest homes are
These communities have the highest share of homes built before 1940:
- Easton: 63%
- Nazareth: 54%
- Catasauqua: 52%
- Phillipsburg: 51%
- Northampton Borough: 50%
Homes this old often need more planning before the first cabinet is ordered. Older wiring and plumbing may need upgrades, and walls are rarely square. Our guide to remodeling older Lehigh Valley homes covers what to budget for.
Where twins and rowhomes are most common
These communities have the highest share of attached single-family homes:
- Macungie: 41%
- Catasauqua: 37%
- Northampton Borough: 37%
- Allentown: 36%
- Easton: 34%
Shared walls limit where plumbing and venting can run, and narrow lots affect how cabinets and stone get into the house. If you own a twin or rowhome, start a new layout from where the drains already are.
Where homes are newest
These communities have the highest share of homes built since 2000:
- Forks Township: 52%
- Upper Macungie: 50%
- Lower Macungie: 41%
- Center Valley: 35%
- Lopatcong: 28%
Homes this recent usually have sound wiring and plumbing, so more of a budget can go to cabinetry, stone and layout. The usual goal is replacing builder-grade finishes.
How a kitchen budget compares with home value
At our $30,000–$60,000 planning range, a kitchen equals about 16%–31% of the median home value in Phillipsburg ($193,200), and about 6%–13% in Center Valley ($461,600).
That comparison doesn't tell you whether a project is worthwhile. It does show why the same scope can be an easy decision in one town and one worth weighing carefully in another. See what kitchen and bath remodels recoup in PA.
How to read this data
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034, B25024 and B25077.
- Margins of error: these are survey estimates, so differences of a few points aren't meaningful, especially in smaller boroughs.
- Attached homes are one-unit attached structures, which include twins and rowhomes. Median value covers owner-occupied homes.
- Geography: Center Valley uses Upper Saucon Township, which includes it. Northampton means the borough, not the county.
Planning a project in one of these towns? Book a free in-home estimate and we'll look at your home specifically.