Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County | |
|---|---|
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 40°02′N 76°15′W / 40.04°N 76.25°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Founded | May 10, 1729 |
| Named after | Lancaster, England |
| Seat | Lancaster |
| Largest city | Lancaster |
| Area | |
• Total | 984 sq mi (2,550 km2) |
| • Land | 944 sq mi (2,440 km2) |
| • Water | 40 sq mi (100 km2) 4.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 552,984 |
• Estimate (2024) | 563,293 |
| • Density | 597/sq mi (231/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 11th |
| Website | www |
Lancaster County (/ˈlæŋkɪstər/; Pennsylvania Dutch: Lengeschder Kaundi), sometimes nicknamed the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 552,984, making it Pennsylvania's sixth-most populous county. Its county seat is also Lancaster. Lancaster County comprises the Lancaster metropolitan statistical area. Lancaster County is a tourist destination with its Amish community being a major attraction. The ancestors of the Amish began to immigrate to colonial Pennsylvania in the early 18th century to take advantage of the religious freedom offered by William Penn, as well as the area's rich soil and mild climate. They were joined by French Huguenots fleeing the religious persecution of Louis XIV. There were also significant numbers of English, Welsh and Ulster Scots (also known as the Scotch-Irish in the colonies). The county is part of the South Central region of the commonwealth.