Forks Township Northampton offers modern homes and rural scenery
Forks Township Northampton is a fast-growing suburb located a few miles north of Easton and just west of the New Jersey border. The township was founded as a farming community in 1754 and stayed that way for the next two centuries — but a few decades ago, things began to change. “When I started selling real estate 40 years ago, Forks was almost all rural farmland,” says Clay Mitman, broker-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Paul Ford Realtors. “Now, its southern half is all residential with single-family homes and townhouses. It’s become a popular landing spot for workers in Allentown, New Jersey — even New York. I’ve sold homes to NYC Transit Authority workers who moved to Forks because they wanted a nicer place for their children to grow up. A rural four-bedroom in Forks is half what they would have paid for a shoebox in New York.”
Townhouses, new homes and ranch-style homes
While Forks Township itself is older than the U.S., most of the homes in the community are relatively new. “The area built up quickly over the last 15 years,” says Desiree Carroll, a Realtor with Keller Williams Northampton, who has sold real estate in the Lehigh Valley since 2009. “Forks has some older sections, but most are new subdivisions." The newer subdivisions look like classic suburbs, with wide streets, sidewalks and driveways. Older homes might feel a little more rural, with larger lots and farmland next door. Townhouses in the area can sell from $180,000 to $450,000. Ranch-style homes and contemporary builds are available from $170,000 to $600,000. Manufactured homes run between $100,000 and $250,000. The township also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Forks Community Park Centers the town
Forks Community Park is the community’s largest green space and features athletic fields, basketball courts, walking paths and a playground. The Delaware River runs along the east side of the community and is popular with boaters and fishing enthusiasts. Just south of town, Riverview Country Club has a public 18-hole golf course with scenic views of the surrounding woodland.
Easy grocery shopping and great ice cream options
Retail options in Forks Township are somewhat limited, though the local grocery store, Weis Markets, is conveniently located in the center of the township. For additional shopping, locals generally make the short drive to Easton, which is home to multiple malls, shopping centers and most of the restaurants in the immediate area. Forks Township is known for its two highly rated but very distinct ice cream shops. Klein Farms Dairy & Creamery is best known for its ice cream, but also offers organic meat and produce and farm tours. Two T’s Mini Golf & Birdie’s Ice Cream, meanwhile, has mini golf, laser tag and a driving range.
Easton public schools
The area’s public schools are part of the Easton Area School District, which receives a B from Niche. Forks Elementary School has a B rating on Niche, while Easton Area Middle School has a C-plus. Easton Area High School has a B rating and is known for its athletic programs; its teams have won over 20 state championships.
Forks Township Community Days' hot air balloons
Forks Township Community Days in September features live music, local vendors, hot-air balloon and carnival rides, and a fireworks display. Residents can enjoy summer concerts at Forks Community Park called Sounds of Summer and a craft show in November at the park’s community center.
Connected by U.S. 22 and I-78
Commuters rely heavily on U.S. Highway 22, which connects to Allentown, and Interstate 78, which runs to Newark and New York City. It’s a little over 20 miles from Forks Township to Allentown, while New York City is roughly 75 miles away, about the same distance as Philadelphia. Bus service in the area is provided by the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority.
Photography Contributed By
TJ Engler
