Palmer Township, PA Area Guide
Palmer Township is one of Northampton County's largest and most established communities, directly adjacent to the city of Easton on the eastern end of the Lehigh Valley. This guide covers the schools, recreation, and commutes that make Palmer a popular choice for buyers, including its history as a carefully planned township.
The township
A planned community next door to Easton
Originally part of Forks Township, Palmer was made a separate township by court order in 1857 and named for George Palmer, a longtime Pennsylvania state surveyor. Today it is home to roughly 22,000 residents and sits about six miles from the center of Easton, with ZIP 18045.
For more than fifty years Palmer has been developed intentionally as a planned community, mixing residential neighborhoods with commercial and industrial areas. The result is a township with convenient shopping, a strong tax base, and stable, well-kept neighborhoods in a range of home styles and price points.
Palmer is also part of local history: a Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission marker in the township commemorates the creation of the Crayola crayon, which was developed in the Easton area.
Schools
Palmer Township is served by the Easton Area School District.
- Palmer School · Elementary · Easton Area School District
- Tracy School · Elementary · Easton Area School District
- Easton Area High School · Located in the township
Getting around
Route 22 and Nazareth Rd / William Penn Hwy run through the township, with I-78 nearby for trips east toward New Jersey and New York. Downtown Easton, the Delaware River bridges, and the Route 33 / Route 22 corridors are all a short drive away.
Location
At the eastern edge of the Lehigh Valley
Palmer sits on the eastern end of the Lehigh Valley, so the region's biggest job centers stay within reach. Distances below are approximate, measured from the Easton area.
New York City
~72 mi
~1.5 hr via I-78
Philadelphia
~77 mi
~90 min via I-476
Bethlehem
~12 mi
~20 min via Route 22
Allentown
~18 mi
~30 min via Route 22
Nearby
Everyday life in Palmer
Strip malls and local favorites make errands easy, while parks and a beloved local amusement park keep weekends fun. Bushkill Park, a local attraction with a funhouse, is part of Palmer's character.
Dining nearby
Buying in Palmer
A township that plans for the long term
Palmer's long history of deliberate development means buyers can choose from established neighborhoods with mature trees, newer planned developments, and everything in between, with shopping and services close by. For families, the Easton Area School District and the range of township parks add everyday convenience.
Tim Tepes has helped buyers and sellers across the Lehigh Valley for more than three decades. Whether Palmer is your first choice or one of several townships on your list, he can walk you through the trade-offs with straight talk and honest pricing guidance.
Comparing townships? Let's talk it through.
Book a consultation with Tim Tepes to compare Forks, Palmer, Williams, and other Lehigh Valley townships.