According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.1 square miles, of which, 11.0 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is water. It is drained by the Lehigh River, which separates it from Bethlehem and the east side of Allentown, and its border with Upper Saucon is on Lehigh Mountain. Elevations range from approximately 300 feet on the river to at least 1,000 feet in Big Rock County Park. Emmaus and Allentown share a border, separating Salisbury into two demographically-distinct non-contiguous portions. The township's villages of Farmington, Gauff Hill, and Summit Lawn are in the eastern portion. The CDP of Dorneyville is in both the extreme northwestern part of the township and in South Whitehall Township. Salisbury Township has a hot-summer humid continental climate and is in hardiness zone 6b. The average monthly temperature in the vicinity of South Mall ranges from 29.0 °F in January to 73.7 °F in July.
Adjacent municipalities
Fountain Hill
Bethlehem
Allentown
South Whitehall Township
Lower Macungie Township
Emmaus
Upper Milford Township
Upper Saucon Township
Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 13,505 people, 5,595 households, and 3,832 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,224.9 people per square mile. There were 5,595 housing units at an average density of 495.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 91.39% White, 2.93% African American, 0.03% Native American, 1.60 Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.40% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population. There were 5,333 households, out of which 24.79% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.25% were married couplesliving together, 7.61% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.15% were non-families. 23.53% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91. In the township the population was spread out, with 18.84% under the age of 18, 7.02% from 18 to 24, 21.22% from 25 to 44, 32.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.01% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males. The estimated median income for a household in the township in 2014 was $69,685, and the estimated median income for a family was $84,429. Males had an estimated median income of $54,869 versus $39,024 for females. The estimated per capita income for the township was $35,133. In 2014 it was estimated that 4.1% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
US Representative Susan Wild, Democrat, 7th district
State Senator Lisa Boscola, Democrat, 18th district
State Representative Joseph F. Brennan, Democrat, 133rd district, Ward 1
State Representative Justin Simmons, Republican, 131st district, Wards 2-4
State Representative Doug Reichley, Republican, 134th district, Ward 5
Transportation
Salisbury's major thoroughfares include Interstate 78/Pennsylvania Route 309, Pennsylvania Route 145 Emmaus Avenue, Susquehanna Street/Broadway, Lehigh Street, 24th Street, and Cedar Crest Boulevard. The township is served by multiple LANTA bus routes.
