Chester County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
State parks
- French Creek State ParkFrench Creek State ParkFrench Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek. The park is the...
- Marsh Creek State ParkMarsh Creek State ParkMarsh Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Upper Uwchlan and Wallace Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is the location of the man-made Marsh Creek Lake. With an average depth of 40 feet , the lake is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating...
- White Clay Creek PreserveWhite Clay Creek PreserveWhite Clay Creek Preserve is a Pennsylvania state park along the valley of White Clay Creek in London Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was donated by the DuPont Company in 1984 for the purpose of "preserving the diverse and unique plant and animal...
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were some other race. 6.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.As of the census
Census
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 433,501 people, 157,905 households, and 113,375 families residing in the county. 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 573 people per square mile (221/km²). There were 163,773 housing units at an average density of 217 per square mile (84/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.21% White
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...
, 6.24% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.15% Native American
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...
, 1.95% Asian
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...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
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...
, 1.35% 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 1.06% from two or more races. 3.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
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...
of any race. 18.0% were of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 17.3% German, 13.1% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 10.1% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 5.6% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 91.4% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 3.7% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 157,905 households out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% 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, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $65,295, and the median income for a family was $76,916 (these figures had risen to $80,818 and $97,894 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $51,223 versus $34,854 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 county was $31,627. About 3.10% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.10% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
The region was originally occupied by the Lenni Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
people who greeted European settlers in the seventeenth century with amity and kindness. British settlers were mostly English, Scotch-Irish and Welsh in ethnicity. As time passed, the region has had large influxes of Germans, Africans, Eastern Europeans, Italians, Puerto Ricans, and, more recently, Mexicans.
Chester County is the fastest growing county in the Delaware Valley and one of the fastest growing in the entire Northeastern section of the United States.
Politics
| Year | GOP Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Dems Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 45.0% 112,266 | 54.2% 135,150 |
| 2004 | 52.0% 120,306 | 47.5% 109,708 |
| 2000 | 53.4% 100,080 | 43.7% 82,047 |
| 1996 | 48.7% 77,029 | 41.0% 64,783 |
| 1992 | 43.7% 74,002 | 35.2% 59,643 |
| 1988 | 67.0% 93,522 | 32.1% 44,853 |
| 1984 | 70.1% 92,221 | 29.6% 38,870 |
| 1980 | 60.9% 73,046 | 28.6% 34,307 |
| 1976 | 60.4% 67,686 | 38.1% 42,712 |
| 1972 | 68.4% 72,726 | 29.3% 31,118 |
| 1968 | 57.2% 56,073 | 33.3% 32,606 |
| 1964 | 45.5% 40,280 | 54.1% 47,940 |
| 1960 | 63.6% 53,059 | 36.2% 30,167 |
As of November 2008, there are 326,689 registered voters in Chester County.
- RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
: 150,300 (46.01%) - DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
: 125,198 (38.32%) - Other Parties: 51,191 (15.67%)
Chester County has been, and remains, very reliably Republican at the county level. In recent elections, however, it has been trending Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. In 2000 Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
lost it by almost 10 percent but in 2004 George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
defeated John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
by a much smaller margin of only 4.5 percent. Bob Casey Jr.
Bob Casey, Jr.
Robert Patrick "Bob" Casey, Jr. is the senior U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served as Pennsylvania Treasurer, and Pennsylvania Auditor General. He is the son of former Governor Bob Casey, Sr..He is the first Democrat elected to a full term in...
carried it by 10% when he unseated incumbent Republican US Senator Rick Santorum
Rick Santorum
Richard John "Rick" Santorum is a lawyer and a former United States Senator from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Santorum was the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference -making him the third-ranking Senate Republican from 2001 until his leave in 2007. Santorum is considered both a social...
in 2006. In 2008, Chester County sided with the rest of Pennsylvania and voted for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
by a much larger margin of 9%, making him the first Democrat to carry it in a Presidential election since 1964. However, the trend was broken in 2009, when the Republican candidates swept all county row offices winning with an average margin of 20%.
Democrats have also made gains in Chester County state legislative seats in recent elections. Democrat Andy Dinniman
Andy Dinniman
Andrew E. "Andy" Dinniman is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 19th District since June 2006.-Education and early life:...
picked up the 19th Senate District in May 2006 in the special election to replace the late Robert Thompson. Democrat Barbara McIlvaine Smith
Barbara McIlvaine Smith
Barbara McIlvaine Smith is a Democratic politician, and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She represented the 156th District 2007 through 2010. She previously served on the West Chester, Pennsylvania Borough Council and was the Council's vice-president from 2004 to 2006...
picked up the open 156th House district in November 2006, winning by only 28 votes and tipping the State-House majority to the Democrats. This was the first time that a Democrat had served part of Chester County as State Representative since Jim Gerlach
Jim Gerlach
James "Jim" Gerlach is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.- Early life, education and career :...
(now serving the majority of the county in Congress) unseated Sam Morris in 1990. In 2008, two more open House seats in the county went Democratic---to Tom Houghton in the 13th and Paul Drucker in the 157th. In 2010, however, Chester County swung back to the right, with Republicans Dan Truitt
Dan Truitt
Dan Truitt is an American politician and engineer, and member of the Republican Party. In 2010, he was elected to represent the 156th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official caucus website...
(who defeated McIlvaine Smith), Warren Kampf
Warren Kampf
Warren Kampf is an American politician and attorney, and member of the Republican Party. In 2010, he was elected to represent the 157th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official caucus website...
(who defeated Drucker), and John Lawrence (who defeated Houghton) all elected to the State House.
Government
Chester County is administered by a three-person Board of Commissioners, who serve four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. Presidential elections, with the next election falling in 2011. The Commissioners have selective policy-making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis. Accordingly, the commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.Commissioners
| Office | Holder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Commissioner | Ryan A. Costello, Esq. | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| County Commissioner | Terence Farrell | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| County Commissioner | Kathi Cozzone | Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Other elected officials
| Office | Holder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts | Frank McElwaine | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Controller | Valentino F. DiGiorgio, III | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Coroner | Dr. Steven Dickter, M.D. | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| District Attorney | Tom Hogan, Esq. | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Jury Commissioner | Martha S. Smith | Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
| Jury Commissioner | Mimi H. Sack | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Prothonotary | Bryan Walters | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Recorder of Deeds | Rick Loughery | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Register of Wills | Terri Clark | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Sheriff | Carolyn Bunny Welsh Carolyn Bunny Welsh Carolyn Bunny Welsh of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania is the elected Sheriff of Chester County, Pennsylvania. She has held the position since 2000. Welsh is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life:... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Treasurer | Ann Duke, Esq. | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
United States House of Representatives
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District was substantially redrawn in 2002. Its strange shape brought charges of gerrymandering by Democrats who argued it "looms like a dragon descending on Philadelphia from the west, splitting up towns and communities throughout Montgomery and Berks Counties." ... |
Jim Gerlach Jim Gerlach James "Jim" Gerlach is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.- Early life, education and career :... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 7 Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district incorporates parts of the Philadelphia suburbs, including most of Delaware County. It is currently represented by Republican Pat Meehan in the 112th United States Congress.... |
Pat Meehan Pat Meehan Patrick Leo "Pat" Meehan is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing since January 3, 2011. The district includes most of Delaware County and parts of Chester and Montgomery Counties... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 16 Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district Pennsylvania’s 16th congressional district is located in the southeastern part of the state, just west of Philadelphia. Created after the 2000 Census, the district is composed of a large portion of southern Chester County, all of Lancaster County, and a sliver of Berks County, including a sliver... |
Joe Pitts Joseph R. Pitts Joseph R. "Joe" Pitts is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Lancaster and includes much of Amish country... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
United States Senate
| Senator | Party |
|---|---|
| Bob Casey Bob Casey, Jr. Robert Patrick "Bob" Casey, Jr. is the senior U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served as Pennsylvania Treasurer, and Pennsylvania Auditor General. He is the son of former Governor Bob Casey, Sr..He is the first Democrat elected to a full term in... |
Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
| Pat Toomey Pat Toomey Patrick Joseph "Pat" Toomey, Sr. is the junior United States Senator for Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Toomey served as a U.S. Representative for three terms, but did not seek a fourth in compliance with a pledge he had made while running for office in 1998... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | John Lawrence | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 26 | Tim Hennessey Tim Hennessey Timothy F. "Tim" Hennessey is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 26th District and was elected in 1992.-Career:... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 155 | Curt Schroder Curt Schroder Curt Schroder is serving his seventh term as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represents the 155th district. Schroder is the Republican Chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, and also sits on the House Insurance Committee.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 156 | Dan Truitt Dan Truitt Dan Truitt is an American politician and engineer, and member of the Republican Party. In 2010, he was elected to represent the 156th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official caucus website... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 157 | Warren Kampf Warren Kampf Warren Kampf is an American politician and attorney, and member of the Republican Party. In 2010, he was elected to represent the 157th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official caucus website... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 158 | Chris Ross L. Chris Ross L. Chris Ross is currently serving his sixth term as representative of the 158th Legislative District of Pennsylvania, USA. He is Republican Chairman of the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and is also a member of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.-Career:Ross' career... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 160 | Stephen Barrar Stephen Barrar Stephen "Steve" Barrar is serving his sixth term as representative of the 160th Legislative District of Pennsylvania, USA. He serves as Republican Chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 167 | Duane Milne Duane Milne Duane Milne is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 167th legislative district. He was first elected in 2006.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 168 | Tom Killion Tom Killion Thomas "Tom" Killion is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 168th Legislative District. He currently sits on the House Appropriations, Insurance and Urban Affairs Committees.-Career:... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Pennsylvania State Senate
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dominic F. Pileggi | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 19 | Andy Dinniman Andy Dinniman Andrew E. "Andy" Dinniman is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 19th District since June 2006.-Education and early life:... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
| 26 | Edwin Erickson Edwin Erickson Edwin B. "Ted" Erickson is an American politician. He is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania Senate, representing the 26th District since 2001. The district includes most of Delaware County and parts of Chester County.... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 36 | Michael Brubaker Mike Brubaker Michael W. Brubaker is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 36th District since 2007. Brubaker is a member of the Ephrata Area Chamber of Commerce, National Rifle Association, Millcreek Sportsmen Club, Cooper Hill Sportsmen Club, Farm Foundation and Bennett... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 44 | John C. Rafferty, Jr. | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| 48 | Mike Folmer Mike Folmer Mike Folmer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania is a Pennsylvania State Senator who represents the 48th Senate district, which includes all of Lebanon County and portions of Berks, Chester, Dauphin and Lancaster Counties... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Municipalities
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The post officeUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
uses community names and boundaries that usually do not correspond to the townships, and usually only have the same names as the municipalities for the cities and boroughs. The names used by the post office are generally used by residents to describe where they live. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Chester County:
Census-designated place
Census-designated placeCensus-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...
s are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau
United 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...
for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.
Colleges and universities
- Cheyney University of PennsylvaniaCheyney University of PennsylvaniaCheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, co-educational historically black university that is a part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cheyney University has a campus that is located in the Cheyney community within Thornbury Township, Chester County and Thornbury...
(partially in Delaware CountyDelaware County, PennsylvaniaDelaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
) - Delaware County Community CollegeDelaware County Community CollegeDelaware County Community College, also known as DCCC, DC3, "Route 252 U" or Delco, is a 2-year community college in the Philadelphia area. While it is based in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, it has two campuses, one of which is located in Chester County, Pennsylvania...
(Exton and Downingtown Campuses) - Immaculata UniversityImmaculata UniversityImmaculata University is a Catholic University on King Road in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.-History:Immaculata was founded as Villa Maria College, a women's college in 1920. It was the first Catholic college for women in the Philadelphia area...
- Lincoln UniversityLincoln University (Pennsylvania)Lincoln University is the United States' first degree-granting historically black university. It is located near the town of Oxford in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The university also hosts a Center for Graduate Studies in the City of Philadelphia. Lincoln University provides...
- Penn State Great Valley
- Valley Forge Christian CollegeValley Forge Christian CollegeValley Forge Christian College is a four-year, residential college centrally located in southeastern Pennsylvania, minutes from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Nestled in the small town of Phoenixville, major metropolitan areas are within easy driving distance...
- West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, about miles west of Philadelphia. It is one of the 14 state universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education . West Chester was ranked 69th in the Master's Universities ...
Public school districts
- Avon Grove School DistrictAvon Grove School DistrictThe Avon Grove School District is a publicly funded school district located in West Grove, Pennsylvania, 19390 . The district covers the Boroughs of Avondale and West Grove and Franklin Township, London Britain Township, London Grove Township, New London Township and Penn Township in Chester...
- Coatesville Area School DistrictCoatesville Area School DistrictThe Coatesville Area School District covers the City of Coatesville, the Boroughs of Modena and South Coatesville and Caln Township, East Fallowfield Township, Sadsbury Township, Valley Township, West Brandywine Township and West Caln Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania...
- Downingtown Area School DistrictDowningtown Area School DistrictThe Downingtown Area School District is a school district based in Downingtown, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The district operates ten Elementary Schools, two Middle Schools and two High Schools, soon to be four...
- Great Valley School DistrictGreat Valley School DistrictThe Great Valley School District is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the suburbs of Philadelphia. It is in the Delaware Valley region known as the Main Line, in eastern Chester County, and provides education for the residents of Charlestown, East Whiteland, and Willistown townships, and the...
- Kennett Consolidated School DistrictKennett Consolidated School DistrictThe Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
- Octorara Area School DistrictOctorara Area School District-Schools:*Octorara Primary Learning Center*Octorara Elementary School*Octorara Intermediate School*Octorara Middle School*Octorara High School...
- Owen J. Roberts School DistrictOwen J. Roberts School DistrictThe Owen J. Roberts School District is a school district located in northern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The school district comprises five elementary schools, one middle school, and a high school. The student population for the entire district is around 4,800 students.The school district, which...
- Oxford Area School DistrictOxford Area School DistrictThe Oxford Area School District is the K-12 public school district for the town of Oxford in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The schools new location was opened in September, 2005.-Schools:*Jordan Bank Elementary School...
- Phoenixville Area School DistrictPhoenixville Area School DistrictThe Phoenixville AreaSchool District is a public school district serving the portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Phoenixville and also incorporates East Pikeland and Schuylkill Townships...
- Spring-Ford Area School District
- Tredyffrin-Easttown School District
- Twin Valley School DistrictTwin Valley School DistrictTwin Valley School District is centered in Elverson, Pennsylvania. It comprises Five schools, all within half an hour's driving distance of each other.-Schools:Twin Valley School District comprises:* Twin Valley Elementary Center...
- Unionville-Chadds Ford School DistrictUnionville-Chadds Ford School DistrictThe Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is a school district in southeastern Chester County and western Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States, a area encompassing seven townships and serving a total of about 4,000 students. Its schools are:*Unionville High School*Charles F...
- West Chester Area School DistrictWest Chester Area School DistrictThe West Chester Area School District covers a basis, for the area of West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. The borough of West Chester is the center of the district...
Charter Schools
- Achievement House Charter School grades 9-12, Exton
- Avon Grove Charter School grades K-12, West Grove
- Chester County Family Academy Charter School grades K-2, West Chester
- Collegium Charter School grades K-12, Exton
- Graystone Academy Charter School grades K-8, Coatesville
- Pennsylvania Leadership Cyber Charter School PreK-12, West Chester
- Renaissance Academy Charter School grades K-12, Phoenixville
- Sankofa Academy Charter School grades 5-8, West Chester
- 21st Century Cyber Charter School grades 6-12. Downingtown.
There are 11 public cyber charter schools and 144 bricks and mortar charter schools in Pennsylvania that are available for free statewide, to children K-12. See: Education in Pennsylvania
Education in Pennsylvania
There are numerous elementary, secondary, and higher institutions of learning in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is home to 501 public school districts, thousands of private schools, many publicly funded colleges and universities, and over 100 private institutions of higher education.In general, under...
.
Independent schools
- Bishop Shanahan High SchoolBishop Shanahan High SchoolBishop Shanahan High School is located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Catholic school system. Named after Right Rev. John W. Shanahan, the third bishop of Harrisburg, the school is currently the only Archdiocesan High School in Chester County...
(Archdiocese of Philadelphia) - Center for Arts and Technology (Administered by Chester County Intermediate Unit)
- Church Farm SchoolChurch Farm SchoolCFS, The School at Church Farm was founded as the "Church Farm School" in 1918 by the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Shreiner. Shreiner, an Episcopalian priest, established the school in Glen Loch, Pennsylvania, on U.S. Route 30 between Frazer and Exton, as a boarding school for boys from broken homes,...
(now called CFS the School at Church Farm) - Delaware Valley Friends School
- Devon Preparatory SchoolDevon Preparatory SchoolDevon Preparatory School is a private, Catholic college preparatory school in Devon, Pennsylvania, founded in 1956 by the Piarist fathers. It is an all-boys school, divided into a middle school and an upper school , both located on the same campus of...
- Goshen Friends School (West Chester, Pennsylvania)
- Kimberton Waldorf School (Kimberton, Pennsylvania)
- London Grove Friends Kindergarten (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania)
- Malvern Preparatory SchoolMalvern Preparatory SchoolMalvern Preparatory School, commonly referred to as Malvern Prep, is an independent Catholic middle and high school for boys located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. It was started and is still run by Order of Saint Augustine...
- The Concept School - 6th through 12th Grade
- Upattinas School (Glenmoore, Pennsylvania)
- Villa Maria Academy (Malvern, Pennsylvania)Villa Maria Academy (Malvern, Pennsylvania)Villa Maria Academy is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The school was formed and carried out by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Growth and development is key to this institution whether it be spiritually or intellectually...
- West Fallowfield Christian SchoolWest Fallowfield Christian SchoolWest Fallowfield Christian School is a Mennonite school in Atglen, Chester County, Pennsylvania in the USA.It was established in 1941 to partner with Christian families in educating and nurturing their children, giving them a strong academic and spiritual foundation from kindergarten through eighth...
- West Chester Friends School
- Westtown SchoolWesttown SchoolWesttown School is a coeducational, college preparatory day and boarding school for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.-About Westtown School:...
- Windsor Christian Academy - K through 6th Grade
- Windsor Christian Preschool
- Upland Country Day School (UCDS) - Pre-K through 9th Grade
Religion
Chester County is home to a number of historic Quaker buildings, including BirminghamBirmingham Friends Meetinghouse
Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse is a historic Quaker meeting house at 1245 Birmingham Road in Birmingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The current meetinghouse was built in 1763 and added to the National Register in 1971. The building and the adjacent cemetery were near the center of...
, Birmingham Orthodox
Orthodox Meetinghouse
Orthodox Meetinghouse is a historic Quaker meetinghouse in Birmingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania that was built in 1845 as a result of the Hicksite-Orthodox split in the Society of Friends...
, Bradford
Bradford Friends Meetinghouse
Bradford Friends Meetinghouse is a historic Quaker meeting house on the east side of Northbrook Road in Marshallton, Pennsylvania.It was built in 1764 and added to the National Register in 1971....
, Caln
Caln Meeting House
Caln Meeting House is a historic Quaker meeting house at 901 Caln Meeting House Road, Caln Township in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.It was built in 1726 and added to the National Register in 1984. Services are still held weekly at the meeting house....
, Old Kennett
Old Kennett Meetinghouse
Old Kennett Meetinghouse is a historic meeting house of the Religious Society of Friends or "Quakers" in Kennett Township near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.-History:...
, Parkersville
Parkersville Friends Meetinghouse
Parkersville Friends Meetinghouse is a historic Quaker meeting house in Parkersville, Pennsylvania.It was built in 1830 and added to the National Register in 1973....
, and Uwchlan
Uwchlan Meetinghouse
Uwchlan Meetinghouse is a historic Quaker meeting house on N. Village Avenue in Lionville, Pennsylvania.It was built in 1756 and added to the National Register in 1973....
meeting house
Meeting house
A meeting house describes a building where a public meeting takes place. This includes secular buildings which function like a town or city hall, and buildings used for religious meetings, particularly of some non-conformist Christian denominations....
s. Other historic religious buildings include St. Malachi Church, southeastern Pennsylvania's oldest active Catholic mission church, and the Episcopalian
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
St. Mary's
St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Elverson, Pennsylvania)
St. Mary's Episcopal Church is a historic church on Warwick Road, Warwick Township in Elverson, Pennsylvania.Founded by Rev. Levi Bull, DD, in 1805, the first church here was built in 1806. J.F. Sachse, of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, believed it to be the first church built in...
, St. Paul's
St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Exton, Pennsylvania)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Exton, also known as St. Paul's Church, is a historic church at 1105 E. Lincoln Highway in Exton, Pennsylvania in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in the area known as the Great Valley. It was built in 1828 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as...
, St. Peter's
St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley
St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley is a historic Episcopal church near Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.The current stone church building was constructed in 1744 to replace an earlier wooden building. St. Peter's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.-External links:*...
churches, and Washington Memorial Chapel
Washington Memorial Chapel
Located in Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Washington Memorial Chapel is both an active Episcopal Parish and a tribute to General George Washington. Designed by Milton B. Medary, the Chapel resulted from a sermon preached by founder, the Rev. Dr. W...
. Also found in Chester County are the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester
First Presbyterian Church of West Chester
First Presbyterian Church of West Chester is a historic church at 130 W. Miner Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania.It was built in 1832 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.-References:...
, and Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County, a Conservative
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
.
Library system
The Chester County Library System in southeastern Pennsylvania was organized in 1965. It is a federated system composed of a District Center Library in Exton and seventeen member libraries. The system provides materials and information for life, work and pleasure.Notable people
- James Smith born 1719 -
- Thomas Wharton Jr.Thomas Wharton Jr.Thomas Wharton Jr. was a Pennsylvania merchant and politician of the Revolutionary era. He served as the first President of Pennsylvania following the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain....
born 1735 - - William (Amos) WilsonWilliam (Amos) WilsonWilliam Wilson became a figure in the folklore of southeastern and south-central Pennsylvania in the late 18th century and early 19th century. He is often referred to as The Pennsylvania Hermit. His sister Elizabeth had been condemned for the murder of her children, although many believed her to...
born c1762 - - Jesse B. AikinJesse B. AikinJesse Bowman Aikin was a shape note "singing master", and compiler of the shape note tunebook The Christian Minstrel. Aikin was the first to produce a song book with a seven-shape note system. He vigorously defended his "invention" and his patent, which included the elimination of bass and treble...
born 1808 - - Thomas Buchanan ReadThomas Buchanan ReadThomas Buchanan Read , was an American poet and portrait painter.-Biography:Read was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania on March 12, 1822....
born 1822 - - Isaac Israel HayesIsaac Israel HayesIsaac Israel Hayes was an Arctic explorer and physician.Hayes was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania. After completing his medical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Hayes signed on as ship's surgeon for an 1853-5 expedition led by Elisha Kent Kane to search for John Franklin...
born 1832 - - Franklin MacVeaghFranklin MacVeaghFranklin MacVeagh was an American banker and Treasury Secretary.Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Yale University in 1858, where he was a member of Skull and Bones. He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1864. He worked as a wholesale grocer and lawyer...
born 1837 - - Mifflin E. BellMifflin E. BellMifflin Emlen Bell was an American architect who served from 1883 to 1886 as Supervising Architect of the US Treasury Department...
born 1847 - - Charles Follen McKimCharles Follen McKimCharles Follen McKim FAIA was an American Beaux-Arts architect of the late 19th century. Along with Stanford White, he provided the architectural expertise as a member of the partnership McKim, Mead, and White....
born 1847 - - William Thomas SmedleyWilliam Thomas SmedleyWilliam Thomas Smedley , American artist, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, of a Quaker.He worked on a newspaper, then studied engraving and art in Philadelphia, in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and—after making a tour of the South Seas—in Paris under Jean-Paul...
born 1858 - - Scott Brunner born 1957 -
- Bam MargeraBam MargeraBrandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
born 1979 - - N.C. Wyeth, 1882–1945; son Andrew WyethAndrew WyethAndrew Newell Wyeth was a visual artist, primarily a realist painter, working predominantly in a regionalist style. He was one of the best-known U.S. artists of the middle 20th century....
, 1917–2009; grandson Jamie WyethJamie WyethJames Browning Wyeth is a contemporary American realist painter. He was raised in Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania, son of Andrew Wyeth and grandson of N.C. Wyeth...
, born 1946-;
See also
- List of municipal authorities in Chester County, Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Chester County, PennsylvaniaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Chester County, PennsylvaniaFile:Map of Chester County Pennsylvania NRHP sites.PNG|thumb|right|Map of Chester County poly 77 194 71 185 77 176 100 130 101 113 100 100 97 89 128 71 187 24 216 5 222 7 229 4 237 3 253 11 258 15 262 13 262 9 264 8 277 32 278 34 282 33 281 30 282 26 286 26 289 35 291 43 300 50 300 55 298 58 299 63...
- Kaolin Mushroom FarmsKaolin Mushroom FarmsKaolin Mushroom Farms, Inc. is a fourth-generation family farm that began growing mushrooms in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1925. The company's headquarters is now at 649 West South Street in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.-History:...