German roots run deep in Pennsylvania’s third-largest city—the first bite of scrapple will tell you that. Better yet, stride through history among the historic homes and industrial buildings in the 16th-most walkable city in America. Allentown has many names—from Silk City to A-town—and just as many higher-ed institutions within, or near, its city limits. Muhlenberg College, Cedar Crest College and nearby Lehigh University propel its University Rank to #37. At #74 in our Large Companies subcategory, Allentown has industry brawn to match its beauty and brains. Major employers include industry giant Air Products & Chemicals and PPL Corporation, among the largest regulated utility companies in the country. With a blend of scenic gifts—check out the #19 Green Space ranking—and real opportunity, it should surprise no one that Allentown’s housing market is red hot. (A decade of downtown investments will do that.) Looking ahead, its ambitious The Waterfront development aims to revitalize the riverfront, introducing mixed-use property and housing along the Lehigh River. At the start of 2025, Mayor Matt Tuerk announced his “Welcome Home” housing plan, aimed at keeping housing affordable in a city that is steadily drawing new residents.