Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Nickname: 
The Red Rose City
Interactive map of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster
Lancaster
Coordinates (Penn Square): 40°2′23″N 76°18′16″W / 40.03972°N 76.30444°W / 40.03972; -76.30444
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
CountyLancaster
Founded1729
Incorporated1742 (borough)
1818 (city)
Founded byJames Hamilton
Named afterLancaster, Lancashire, England
Government
 • TypeStrong mayor − council
 • MayorJaime Arroyo (D)
 • City council
Member List
Area
 • City
7.35 sq mi (19.03 km2)
 • Land7.23 sq mi (18.72 km2)
 • Water0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2)
 • Metro
802 sq mi (2,080 km2)
Elevation
368 ft (112 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
58,039
 • Rank10th in Pennsylvania
 • Density8,031/sq mi (3,100.6/km2)
 • Urban
394,531 (US: 107th)
 • Urban density2,173/sq mi (839.1/km2)
 • Metro
552,984 (US: 104th)
DemonymLancastrians
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
17573, 17601−17608, 17611, 17622, 17699
Area codes717 and 223
FIPS code42-41216
Websitecityoflancasterpa.gov

Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 58,039 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth-most populous city in the state. It is a core city within South Central Pennsylvania, with 552,984 residents in the Lancaster metropolitan area.

Settled in the 1720s, Lancaster is one of the oldest inland cities in the US. It served as the capital of Pennsylvania from 1799 to 1812. The city's primary industries include healthcare, tourism, public administration, manufacturing, and both professional and semi-professional services. Lancaster is located 59 miles (95 km) southwest of Allentown and 61 miles (98 km) west of Philadelphia and is a hub of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.