Northampton and surrounding areas of the Lehigh Valley are rich in limestone, which is commonly used in the production of cement.

Atlas was bought by another company in 1980 and ceased operation here in 1982; its last smokestack here was demolished in 1993.

Currently, technology and automation mean that the cement industry can manufacture a great amount of product with 150-200 workers, rather than the thousands who were required to work in these plants in the first half of the 20th century.

Immigrant workers from Poland, Ukraine, and other eastern European nations also worked here.

Northampton has a hot summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and average monthly temperatures range from 28.8 °F in January to 73.7 °F in July.

Due to the limestone formations in the region, Northampton became a global center for the manufacturing of cement.

Borough residents, many of them former Atlas employees or their descendants, still identify strongly with the company and its history.

For example, the Northampton Area School District mascot is the "Konkrete Kid.

"[9] In addition, in 1996 the Atlas Memorial Cement Museum was opened in the borough.

Historical community events included the Northampton Jack Frost Parade every October before Halloween, celebrating the onset of winter.

Visitors came from all over the East Coast to attend the two-week event, and hourly buses ran from downtown Northampton and nearby cities to the Fair.

Students in grades nine through 12 attend Northampton Area High School in the borough.