Small town living in Northampton County — real history, more room to spread out, and an easy Route 33 commute to Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown.
Nazareth and Bath are two of Northampton County's most charming small towns, about 15 to 25 minutes from Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown via Route 33. Nazareth is a historic Moravian town and home to Martin Guitar, with typical home values around $460,000 across the wider Nazareth area and a school district Niche rates A. Bath is smaller and quieter, with typical values closer to $390,000 and schools in the Northampton Area School District.
Both suit buyers who want space, history and a slower pace without giving up an easy commute.
Nazareth and Bath sit just north of the Easton and Bethlehem area. Our Easton community guide covers the nearby city, and our full list of Lehigh Valley communities helps you compare other towns in the region.
~$460K
Typical Nazareth area home value
~$390K
Typical Bath home value
15–25 min
To Easton, Bethlehem & Allentown
Sources: Zillow, Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS.
Nazareth was founded by Moravian settlers in the 1740s, and you can still feel it. The borough's historic center has stone buildings, tree-lined streets and the Whitefield House, which now holds the Moravian Historical Society's museum.
It's also a famous name in music. C.F. Martin & Co. has been making guitars here since the 1830s, and the factory tour and museum draw visitors from all over the world. Racing fans know Nazareth as the hometown of the Andretti family, too.
The borough itself is small, about 6,000 people, but the Nazareth area is much larger. A Nazareth mailing address also covers Upper Nazareth, Lower Nazareth and Bushkill townships, where you'll find newer subdivisions, bigger lots and plenty of farmland. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, with miles of trails along the Bushkill Creek, is just a short drive away.
Settled in the 1740s, with a historic center of stone buildings and the Whitefield House museum.
Making guitars here since the 1830s, with a factory tour and museum that draw visitors worldwide.
Miles of trails along the Bushkill Creek, just a short drive from the borough.
Bath is even smaller, with fewer than 3,000 residents, and it has the feel of a classic Pennsylvania crossroads town. Older homes and stone buildings line the main streets, and the Monocacy Creek runs right through it.
Life here is quiet and local. You'll know your neighbors, and the surrounding townships, including East Allen, Moore and Upper Nazareth, open up into rolling farmland. Groceries and everyday shopping are close by, and for bigger trips, Bethlehem and the Route 22 corridor are about 20 minutes south.
Bath tends to appeal to buyers who want a little more land, a simpler pace and a lower price point than Nazareth while still staying close to the Lehigh Valley's job centers.
Zillow puts the typical home value in the Nazareth area at about $460,000 as of August, up 4.2% over the past year. That figure reflects the whole Nazareth mailing area, including newer homes in the surrounding townships. Older twins and single homes inside the borough often come in lower.
Bath runs a bit more affordable. Zillow's typical home value there was about $390,000 at midyear, up 3.8%. For comparison, the typical Northampton County home sits around $375,000, and the Lehigh Valley median sale price was $379,000 in August, according to Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS.
~$460K
Nazareth area typical value
4.2% year over year
~$390K
Bath typical value
3.8% year over year
~$375K
Northampton County typical
$379K
Lehigh Valley median sale price, Aug
Sources: Zillow, Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS (GLVR).
In both areas you'll see a mix of housing: historic homes and twins in the boroughs, 1970s through 1990s ranches and colonials in the townships and newer construction on larger lots. Homes with acreage are easier to find here than in most of the Lehigh Valley, though some come with wells and septic systems, so plan your inspections accordingly.
Schools are one of Nazareth's biggest selling points. Niche gives the district an A overall, and reviewers often praise its arts, theater and band programs.
Bath falls in the Northampton Area School District. Northampton Area High School receives a B from Niche and serves close to 1,900 students.
As always, school assignment depends on the property. Some homes with a Nazareth or Bath mailing address fall into neighboring districts, so check the district for each home you're considering.
Weekends here lean outdoors and local. A few favorites:
The factory tour and museum, a must even if you don't play.
Hiking, mountain biking and fishing along the Bushkill Creek.
The Whitefield House and the historic buildings around Nazareth's center.
Scattered through the surrounding townships, especially in late summer and fall.
Easton's restaurants, Bethlehem's Musikfest and the Pocono ski resorts.
Neither town is a nightlife destination, and that's part of the appeal. Most residents like that the bigger attractions are close enough to enjoy and far enough away to leave behind.
Route 33 is the lifeline for both towns. It runs south to Route 22 and I-78 and north toward the Poconos and I-80. From most of the Nazareth and Bath area, you can expect roughly:
15–20 min
Easton
~20 min
Bethlehem
25–30 min
Allentown
30–40 min
The Poconos (north)
New Jersey is easy to reach through Easton, which makes the area popular with buyers who work across the river but want Pennsylvania prices.
You want an A rated school district, a historic small town center and a strong sense of community.
You want a lower price point, a quieter borough and easy access to farmland and open space.
You want newer construction or a few acres while keeping a Nazareth or Bath address.
If you're also weighing communities closer to Easton, our Forks Township and Palmer Township guide covers two popular neighbors just to the south.
Nazareth and Bath offer a slower pace, real history and more room to spread out, all within easy reach of the Lehigh Valley's cities. The Chris Troxell Team knows northern Northampton County well, from which streets fall in which school district to which homes have wells and septic systems.
Start with our buyer resources and browse our Lehigh Valley communities. When you're ready to tour, we'll take it from there.