History and Facts of Pennsylvania Counties

Today’s Pennsylvania counties did not always exist in the present form. They went through many different changes in the space of a few short years.

Pennsylvania Colony Counties

he Pennsylvania Colony, aka Province of Pennsylvania, was founded on March 4, 1681.

In November 1682 the first 3 Pennsylvania counties formed were Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia Counties.

The Pennsylvania Colony lasted until December 12, 1787, when the State of Pennsylvania was created as the 2nd state.

Pennsylvania Counties Today

Today, Pennsylvania is divided into 67 counties. States bordering Pennsylvania  are New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.

Pennsylvania has no counties that are lost, defunct or extinct.

Fun Facts about Pennsylvania Counties

Counties by Year

• Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia Counties was the first county created in November 1682.
• Lackawanna County was the last county created on August 13, 1878.

County Size Facts

• Lycoming County (1,244 sq mi) is the largest county in Pennsylvania.
• Montour County (132 sq mi) is the smallest county in Pennsylvania.

County Population Facts

• Cameron County (5,085) is the least populated county in Pennsylvania.
• Philadelphia County County (1,526,006) is the most populated county in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania City Facts

Pennsylvania’s 10  largest (2017) cities are:

1. Philadelphia (1,580,863) is in Philadelphia County
2. Pittsburgh (302,407) is in Allegheny County
3. Allentown (121,283) is in Lehigh County
4. Erie (97,369) is in Erie County
5. Reading (88,423) is in Berks County
6. Scranton (77,605) is in Lackawanna County
7. Bethlehem (76,239) is in Lehigh and Northampton Counties
8. Lancaster (59,708) is in Lancaster County
9. Harrisburg (49,192) is in Dauphin County
10. York (44,132) is in York County

Boundary Changes of Pennsylvania Counties from 1673-1878

This Interactive Map of Pennsylvania Counties show the historical boundaries, names, organization, and attachments of every county, extinct county and unsuccessful county proposal from 1673 to 1878.

List of Pennsylvania Counties

List of Old Former / Extinct Pennsylvania Counties

Pennsylvania has no counties that are lost, defunct or extinct.