Ephrata (zip 17522), PA

Surrounding areas are generally prosperous and remain a diversified center for light manufacturing of consumer and industrial staples, such as lighting and clothing products. The purest agrarian Pennsylvania-Dutch communities lie immediately east, giving an attractive countryside dotted by old farms and picturesque barns. While they also support a sometimes-gaudy tourism industry, they add some entertainment value, cultural and historic interest. Amenities lacking in this region are available in the three bigger cities all less than 100 miles away.

As one might expect, crime rates are low, but locally practiced culture also reduces educational attainment and brings values too traditional for some. Cost of living has been rising slowly, but incomes are keeping up and buying power is high. As with other areas of Amish influence, modern agricultural economics challenge the sustainability of small family farms.

The area contains mainly level to gentle rolling hills with fertile soil. The climate is humid continental with some influence from mountains to the northwest and water to the southeast. Summers are warm and humid with occasional thunderstorms. Winters are not too rigorous. With the exception of occasional long warm spells in summer and fall, the weather is variable. First freeze is late October, last is mid-April.