Northampton and surrounding areas of the Lehigh Valley are rich in limestone, which is commonly used in the production of cement. The Atlas Portland Cement Company, based here from 1895 to 1982, was the world's largest cement company at one time, and one of dozens in the area. It produced some 8 million barrels of cement for construction of the Panama Canal, most of what was used on the project. Atlas was bought by another company in 1980 and ceased operation here in 1982; its last smokestack here was demolished in 1993. Today technology and automation mean that the cement industry can manufacture a great amount of product with 150-200 workers, rather than the thousands who worked in these plants earlier in the 20th century. The Atlas Memorial Cement Museum, which was opened in 1997 here, was founded by Edward Pany, who worked at the company in summers during the 1950s. His father, an immigrant from Austria, worked all his life at Atlas. Immigrant workers from Poland, Ukraine, and other eastern European nations also worked here. The museum commemorates the importance of this industry and Atlas Cement in the area.
The governing body consists of a borough manager, an assistant borough manager, and eight council members, who are elected by the residents of the borough.
Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 9,405 people, 3,869 households, and 2,634 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,619.1 people per square mile. There were 4,023 housing units at an average density of 1,548.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.21% White, 0.35% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74%. There were 3,869 households, 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.4% of households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.92. In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males. The median household income was $40,982 and the median family income was $49,482. Males had a median income of $37,033 versus $26,422 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,516. About 1.3% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
Northampton was created from the villages of Siegfried, Newport and Stemton, which together were formed into an alliance in 1902. Due to the limestone formations in the region, Northampton became a global center for the manufacturing of cement. Atlas Portland Cement Company, the largest such company in the world at one time, operated here from 1895 to 1982. It supplied most of the cement used in the construction of the Panama Canal. In 1909, Atlas petitioned county courts to change the alliance into a borough, reportedly because the change would make it easier for the company to send and receive mail. The Atlas Portland Cement Company plant closed in 1982. Borough residents, many of them former Atlas employees or their descendants, still identify strongly with the company and its history. For example, the Northampton Area School District mascot is the "Konkrete Kid." In addition, in 1996 the Atlas Memorial Cement Museum was opened in the borough Historical community events included the Northampton Jack Frost Parade every October before Halloween, celebrating the onset of winter. It includes marching bands and floats. Another event that occurred during the 1940s and 1950s was the Northampton County Fair, which was held every year and was spread out across the Lappawinzo Fish & Game Club property North of Northampton. There were huge numbers of vendor stands, fair rides, animals, shows/performances, 4-H Club judgings, as well as Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey shows. Visitors came from all over the East Coast during the two-week event and hourly buses ran from downtown Northampton and nearby cities to the Fair. Part of the opening sequence of the 1992 filmSchool Ties was filmed in downtown Northampton due to the town's preservation of older buildings, which fit with the 1950s setting of the film.
Public education
The borough is served by the Northampton Area School District. There are 4 elementary schools, a middle school and one high school. The Borough is also home to Good Shepherd Catholic School in the 4th Ward. It serves grades Pre-K to 8th grade. It is part of the Diocese of Allentown. There was St. John's school but it closed in 2003.
Museums
The Atlas Cement Memorial Museum, based in Northampton
