The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Community

The Philadelphia Inquirer covers a diverse population of more than six million people in eight counties – five counties in Pennsylvania and three in New Jersey . At the heart of its coverage is the City of Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the country. Founded in 1682, the city has transitioned from an industrial city into an information and services-based economy in the 21st century. It is also one of the largest health, education and research centers in the country, with universities and medical centers among the region’s largest employers. Philadelphia’s gross domestic product of $388 billion ranks it fourth in the nation and ninth among world cities. The area’s rich history, not the least of which is Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, attracts many tourists, both from the U.S. and overseas. And Center City’s burgeoning arts and BYO restaurant scene is luring growing numbers of young residents as well as well-heeled, older suburbanites, moving into condos and historic row homes.

The residents of the region’s eight counties have a wide range of income levels, from suburban Chester County’s median household income of $85,389 to Philadelphia County’s $37,509. The area also has 341 municipalities and 217 school districts and in interest in the state politics of both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia metro area’s population has been attracting a growing number of immigrants in both the city and its suburbs. As a whole, the region is 65 percent white, 20 percent African American, 8 percent Hispanic, and 5 percent Asian. The city of Philadelphia is more diverse -- 42 percent African-American, 12 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian. A unifying force in this diverse region is its sports teams – especially the Phillies and the Eagles -- which are hugely popular.