The community, which contained both men and women, was founded by Johann Conrad Beissel in 1732.

Many of the members were well-educated; Peter Miller, second prior of the monastery, translated the Declaration of Independence into seven languages, at the request of Congress.

[5][6] The Ephrata Commercial Historic District, Ephrata Cloister, Eby Shoe Corporation buildings, Connell Mansion, Mentzer Building, and Mountain Springs Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ephrata has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa), and average monthly temperatures range from 30.0 °F (−1.1 °C) in January to 74.6 °F (23.7 °C) in July.

A newly remodeled pool, opened on May 26, 2012, contains zero-depth entries, flume slides, and climbing walls, among other features.

[15] Akron borough council cut the line item for the Ephrata Public Library from its $1.9 million proposed general budget for 2023.

[citation needed] Ephrata has a diverse mix of churches and faith groups, primarily Christian.

The countryside surrounding Ephrata is home to a large number of Amish and Old Order Mennonite families.

The U.S. Route 222 freeway passes 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Ephrata, heading southwest to Lancaster and northeast to Reading and Allentown.

US 222 meets the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) at the Reading interchange 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Ephrata.

U.S. Route 322 passes northwest–southeast through Ephrata along Main Street, with an interchange at US 222 east of the borough.

[19] Pennsylvania Route 272 passes southwest–northeast through Ephrata along Reading Road, heading through the western part of the borough.

[21] The Reading and Columbia Railroad operated passenger service through downtown Ephrata until 1952.

The East Penn Railroad continues to operate freight service from Ephrata north to Reading on the Lancaster Northern line, while the line between Ephrata and Lititz, to the southwest, has been converted into a rail trail.

The EAJA operates a filtration treatment plant and has three wells and four storage tanks to store water.