In the 2000 census, the population of Lycoming County was 120,044, making it a "Fifth Class County" (defined as "having a population of 95,000 and more, but less than 145,000 inhabitants"). It is included in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area, and its county seat is Williamsport. Lycoming County is located in north central Pennsylvania, about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh, as the crow flies. At 1,244 square miles (3,221 km²) as of 2007, Lycoming County is the largest county by land area in Pennsylvania (Erie County is larger, but nearly half of its area is in Lake Erie). Lycoming County is also larger than Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state that has an area of 1,214 square miles (3,144 km²).
