Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Amity Township is a township in Berks County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 8,867 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimate put the population at 11,067. Amity Township, especially in the Douglassville area, is seeing growth in development.
, the township has a total area of 18.4 square miles (47.7 km²), of which, 18.3 square miles (47.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
Adjacent townships
The census-designated place
of Amity Gardens
and the unincorporated community of Douglassville
are both located in Amity Township, along the Schuylkill River
.
of 2000, there were 8,867 people, 3,219 households, and 2,510 families residing in the township. The population density
was 484.5 people per square mile (187.1/km²). There were 3,323 housing units at an average density of 181.6/sq mi (70.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.68% White, 2.04% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.
There were 3,219 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples
living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $59,595, and the median income for a family was $67,069. Males had a median income of $47,002 versus $31,389 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $24,652. About 2.5% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
had met with Governor William Penn
. Pastor Rudman pointed out that many of the residence of the former Swedish colony of New Sweden
felt cheated by the preemption of their lands for Quaker settlement. Rudman secured an order from William Penn in October 1701 setting aside 10000 acres (40.5 km²) up the Schuylkill River
, near Manatawny Creek
, for members of his congregation.
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,867 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimate put the population at 11,067. Amity Township, especially in the Douglassville area, is seeing growth in development.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 18.4 square miles (47.7 km²), of which, 18.3 square miles (47.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
Adjacent townships
- Exeter TownshipExeter Township, Berks County, PennsylvaniaExeter Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,550 as of the 2010 Census, making it the third most populous municipality in Berks County after the city of Reading and Spring Township. Daniel Boone Homestead is within its borders. Betsy King, the...
(west) - Oley Township (northwest)
- Earl TownshipEarl Township, Berks County, PennsylvaniaEarl Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,050 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. It is drained by the Schuylkill River...
(north) - Douglass TownshipDouglass Township, Berks County, PennsylvaniaDouglass Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,327 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.Adjacent townships*Colebrookdale...
(east) - Union TownshipUnion Township, Berks County, PennsylvaniaUnion Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,453 at the 2000 census.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,453 people, 1,324 households, and 1,035 families residing in the township. The population density was 148.9 people per square...
(south)
The census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
of Amity Gardens
Amity Gardens, Pennsylvania
Amity Gardens is a census-designated place in Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 3,370.The town lends its name to a Fountains of Wayne song.-Geography:...
and the unincorporated community of Douglassville
Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Douglassville is a community in Amity, Union Townships, and Douglass Townships Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Douglassville is situated along U.S. Route 422. Developments include the Amity Gardens subdivision, the West Ridge subdivision, the Briarwood subdivision, and the subdivision...
are both located in Amity Township, along the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,867 people, 3,219 households, and 2,510 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 484.5 people per square mile (187.1/km²). There were 3,323 housing units at an average density of 181.6/sq mi (70.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.68% White, 2.04% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.
There were 3,219 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $59,595, and the median income for a family was $67,069. Males had a median income of $47,002 versus $31,389 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $24,652. About 2.5% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
The boundaries of Amity Township are almost identical to the boundaries of the original area known as Swedes’ tract. During December 1699, Lutheran pastor Andreas RudmanAndreas Rudman
Andreas Rudman was a pioneer Swedish-American Lutheran minister. He was pastor of Gloria Dei Church and was appointed Suffragan bishop of the Lutheran Church in America.-Background:...
had met with Governor William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
. Pastor Rudman pointed out that many of the residence of the former Swedish colony of New Sweden
New Sweden
New Sweden was a Swedish colony along the Delaware River on the Mid-Atlantic coast of North America from 1638 to 1655. Fort Christina, now in Wilmington, Delaware, was the first settlement. New Sweden included parts of the present-day American states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania....
felt cheated by the preemption of their lands for Quaker settlement. Rudman secured an order from William Penn in October 1701 setting aside 10000 acres (40.5 km²) up the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
, near Manatawny Creek
Manatawny Creek
Manatawny Creek is an tributary of the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania in the United States.Manatawny Creek joins the Schuylkill River at Pottstown in Montgomery County.-References:...
, for members of his congregation.