The Pen Argyl Area School District covers 28.7 square miles and is comprised of Pen Argyl Borough, Wind Gap Borough and Plainfield Township. Located in Northern Northampton County in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the municipalities have long found themselves on the fringe of the greater Northampton County area in terms of the availability of and access to social services, medical facilities, and job training resources. The elimination of the traditional employment opportunities in the slate mining and garment industries has altered the economic structure of the area. With the recent completion of the Route 33 extension, it is expected that the Pen Argyl Area will experience a diverse population surge. The district lies in the heart of the Slate Belt section of the Lehigh Valley and serves a population of 12,000:

• 76.8% of the population is ages 18-64, 16.9% over 65 and 5.2% age 5 and younger.

• There are 4,991 housing units of which 69.4% own and 30.6% rent. In Wind Gap, 55.8% own and 44.2% rent.

• 27% of the District residents are living at the Federal poverty level.

• 1,042 individuals live below the poverty level. 81% of families living in poverty have children under 18.

• Mean employment travel time for residents in the area is 25 minutes.

• Annually, a criminal offense is reported in 1 of every 13 households.

• 25% of Adults over 25 do not have a high school diploma.

• 7% of the population have attained a bachelor's degree.