Baldwin Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Baldwin Township is a township
in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 1,992 at the 2010 census.
, the township has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. Its average elevation is 1171 feet (356.9 m) above sea level .
, Jefferson, and Mifflin townships. The area was named for Henry Baldwin
, a Pittsburgh lawyer who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1830 until his death in 1844.
Baldwin Township was originally 10,550 acres (43 km²) and consisted of the present-day Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Carrick
, Hays
, Brookline
, and Overbrook
, along with the present-day municipalities of Brentwood
, Whitehall
, Castle Shannon
, and Baldwin Borough
.
The coal seam lying underneath Baldwin Township made mining
the township's largest industry. The township was also home to the first glass factories in Allegheny County
. Agriculture was an important part of Baldwin Township's economy from 1753 to 1876. Its most well-known agricultural exports were cherries
and whiskey (many citizens of Baldwin Township were part of the Whiskey Rebellion
).
The township continued to thrive until the late 19th century, when its size became too cumbersome to handle. Due to the lack of maintenance throughout the township's roads, residents of many areas broke off to form their own municipalities. In 1901, 201 acres (0.8 km²) became the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Hays
. Three years later in 1904, Carrick
and Brookline
became Pittsburgh wards, taking with them 1,058 acres (4 km²) and 138 acres (0.6 km²), respectively. From 1915 - 1951, approximately 8,700 acres (35 km²) of the original Baldwin Township broke off to become the municipalities of Brentwood
, Castle Shannon
, Mt. Lebanon
, Whitehall
, and Baldwin Borough
. The City of Pittsburgh annexed an additional area of land that is now the city's Overbrook
neighborhood.
Today, only 400 of the township's original 10,550 acres (43 km²) remain. Historians calculate that if Baldwin Township had never been divided, it would now be the second largest community in Allegheny County, with a population of over 100,000.
of 2000, there were 2,244 people, 869 households, and 637 families residing in the township. The population density
was 4,148.9 people per square mile (1,604.5/km²). There were 880 housing units at an average density of 1,627.0/sq mi (629.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.62% White, 0.27% African American, 0.58% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 869 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $45,071, and the median income for a family was $52,200. Males had a median income of $38,750 versus $29,342 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $20,918. About 3.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Township (Pennsylvania)
A township in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a state of the United States of America, is one of four types of municipalities in the state . Townships were established based on convenient geographical boundaries and vary in size from six to forty square miles...
in Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, 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 1,992 at the 2010 census.
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 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. Its average elevation is 1171 feet (356.9 m) above sea level .
Surrounding communities
- Pittsburgh neighborhoods
- BrooklineBrookline (Pittsburgh)-Early settlement:Brookline was a part of the larger West Liberty Borough before its absorption intoPittsburgh in 1908. Early in its history, the area was mostly inhabited by miners and farmers...
(north) - OverbrookOverbrook (Pittsburgh)Overbrook is a neighborhood on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's South Hills area. It has a zip codes of 15227, 15234 and 15210 and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 4 . Originally called Fairhaven, the name was changed to Overbrook when breaking away from...
(north)
- Brookline
- Castle ShannonCastle Shannon, PennsylvaniaCastle Shannon is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 8,316 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
(southeast) - Mt. LebanonMt. Lebanon, PennsylvaniaMt. Lebanon is a home rule municipality, formerly a township, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 33,137 at the 2010 census....
(southwest)
History
The area that would become Baldwin Township was originally settled around 1780. The Allegheny County Court of Quarter Sessions established Baldwin Township on February 24, 1844, from Upper St. Clair, Lower St. ClairLower St. Clair Township
Lower St. Clair Township was a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The township was created by a division of St. Clair Township into Lower St. Clair and Upper St. Clair townships. St. Clair Township was named after Arthur St. Clair, an American Revolutionary War general and president of the...
, Jefferson, and Mifflin townships. The area was named for Henry Baldwin
Henry Baldwin (judge)
Henry Baldwin was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from January 18, 1830, to April 21, 1844.-Biography:...
, a Pittsburgh lawyer who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1830 until his death in 1844.
Baldwin Township was originally 10,550 acres (43 km²) and consisted of the present-day Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Carrick
Carrick (Pittsburgh)
Carrick is a south neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is served by two zip codes, 15210 and 15227, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 4 with a part in District 3.Located between the suburbs of the South Hills and...
, Hays
Hays (Pittsburgh)
Hays is a neighborhood in the 31st Ward of southeastern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is represented on by the representative of . It occupies ZIP codes 15227, 15207, and 15236. It is named after James H...
, Brookline
Brookline (Pittsburgh)
-Early settlement:Brookline was a part of the larger West Liberty Borough before its absorption intoPittsburgh in 1908. Early in its history, the area was mostly inhabited by miners and farmers...
, and Overbrook
Overbrook (Pittsburgh)
Overbrook is a neighborhood on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's South Hills area. It has a zip codes of 15227, 15234 and 15210 and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 4 . Originally called Fairhaven, the name was changed to Overbrook when breaking away from...
, along with the present-day municipalities of Brentwood
Brentwood, Pennsylvania
Brentwood is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 9,643 at the 2010 census.-Geography and climate:Brentwood is located at ....
, Whitehall
Whitehall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Whitehall is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,944 at the 2010 census.-History:The Whitehall is probably named after Silas D. Prior's tavern on Brownsville Road, which was re-named White Hall in the 1850s...
, Castle Shannon
Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania
Castle Shannon is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 8,316 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, and Baldwin Borough
Baldwin, Pennsylvania
Baldwin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,767 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
.
The coal seam lying underneath Baldwin Township made mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
the township's largest industry. The township was also home to the first glass factories in Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
. Agriculture was an important part of Baldwin Township's economy from 1753 to 1876. Its most well-known agricultural exports were cherries
Cherry
The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium....
and whiskey (many citizens of Baldwin Township were part of the Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion, or Whiskey Insurrection, was a tax protest in the United States in the 1790s, during the presidency of George Washington. Farmers who sold their corn in the form of whiskey had to pay a new tax which they strongly resented...
).
The township continued to thrive until the late 19th century, when its size became too cumbersome to handle. Due to the lack of maintenance throughout the township's roads, residents of many areas broke off to form their own municipalities. In 1901, 201 acres (0.8 km²) became the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Hays
Hays (Pittsburgh)
Hays is a neighborhood in the 31st Ward of southeastern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is represented on by the representative of . It occupies ZIP codes 15227, 15207, and 15236. It is named after James H...
. Three years later in 1904, Carrick
Carrick (Pittsburgh)
Carrick is a south neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is served by two zip codes, 15210 and 15227, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 4 with a part in District 3.Located between the suburbs of the South Hills and...
and Brookline
Brookline (Pittsburgh)
-Early settlement:Brookline was a part of the larger West Liberty Borough before its absorption intoPittsburgh in 1908. Early in its history, the area was mostly inhabited by miners and farmers...
became Pittsburgh wards, taking with them 1,058 acres (4 km²) and 138 acres (0.6 km²), respectively. From 1915 - 1951, approximately 8,700 acres (35 km²) of the original Baldwin Township broke off to become the municipalities of Brentwood
Brentwood, Pennsylvania
Brentwood is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 9,643 at the 2010 census.-Geography and climate:Brentwood is located at ....
, Castle Shannon
Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania
Castle Shannon is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 8,316 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, Mt. Lebanon
Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Mt. Lebanon is a home rule municipality, formerly a township, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 33,137 at the 2010 census....
, Whitehall
Whitehall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Whitehall is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,944 at the 2010 census.-History:The Whitehall is probably named after Silas D. Prior's tavern on Brownsville Road, which was re-named White Hall in the 1850s...
, and Baldwin Borough
Baldwin, Pennsylvania
Baldwin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,767 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
. The City of Pittsburgh annexed an additional area of land that is now the city's Overbrook
Overbrook (Pittsburgh)
Overbrook is a neighborhood on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's South Hills area. It has a zip codes of 15227, 15234 and 15210 and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 4 . Originally called Fairhaven, the name was changed to Overbrook when breaking away from...
neighborhood.
Today, only 400 of the township's original 10,550 acres (43 km²) remain. Historians calculate that if Baldwin Township had never been divided, it would now be the second largest community in Allegheny County, with a population of over 100,000.
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 2,244 people, 869 households, and 637 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 4,148.9 people per square mile (1,604.5/km²). There were 880 housing units at an average density of 1,627.0/sq mi (629.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.62% White, 0.27% African American, 0.58% Asian, 0.13% 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 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 869 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $45,071, and the median income for a family was $52,200. Males had a median income of $38,750 versus $29,342 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 $20,918. About 3.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.