Erie (/ri/; EER-ee) is a city on the south coast of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Erie County. The 2020 census places Erie as the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest in Northwestern Pennsylvania, with a population of 94,831. In 2023, the estimated population had reduced to 92,743. The metropolitan region of Erie, which encompasses all of Erie County, has 266,096 persons. As of the 2010 census, the Erie–Meadville combined statistical area had a population of 369,331.
Buffalo and Cleveland are roughly the same distance from Erie, at approximately 100 miles. Despite the emergence of key economic drivers such as insurance, healthcare, higher education, technology, service industries, and tourism, Erie's manufacturing sector continues to dominate the local economy. Erie, like other Great Lakes port cities, has access to the oceans via the Canadian network of Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River. The area climate is humid, four-seasonal, and snowy, however the lakeside position moderates the winters.
The city was named for the Native American Erie people who inhabited the area until the middle of the 17th century. It is known as "Flagship City" because Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara made its home port there. It is also known as "Gem City" because to the lake's iridescent beauty in the sunlight. In 1972, Erie received the All-America City Award. In 2012, Erie held the Perry 200, an event commemorating 200 years of peace between Britain, the United States, and Canada following the War of 1812 and Battle of Lake Erie. Learn more about the history of Erie PA.
Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,112-acre Pennsylvania State Park located four miles west of the city of Erie, in Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.
Bicentennial Tower
Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the Bicentennial Tower is an observation tower that offers panoramic views of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park, and downtown Erie. The tower was constructed to commemorate the city's bicentennial in 1996. It measures 187 feet in height and has two viewing decks.
Erie Zoo
The Erie Zoo, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a zoological facility. It is situated on 15 acres of ground right off West 38th Street between Cherry Street and Glenwood Park Avenue in Glenwood Park. The zoo contains about 400 types of animals, while the botanical gardens and greenhouse include over 600 species of plants from all over the world.
Erie Maritime Museum
The Erie Maritime Museum is a nautical museum located on the waterfront of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, on Presque Isle Bay. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission manages it.