East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
East Whiteland Township is a township in Chester County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 10,650 at the 2010 census.
. The name Whiteland came from Whitford Garden in Flintshire
, Wales
. Whiteland Township was divided into two townships in 1765.
Native Americans called the area "The Dark Valley" because of the numerous trees and undergrowth. During the American Revolution, Gen. George Washington
and many of his troops camped at Malin Hall here. They were preparing for a September 16, 1777, encounter with British General William Howe
. The Continental Army
also camped near White Horse Inn on Swedesford Road. Because of bad weather, however, the "Battle of the Clouds
" was never fought.
, the township has a total area of 11 square miles (28.5 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²), or 0.27%, is water. East Whiteland Township is located about 25 miles (40.2 km) west of Philadelphia.
The township has a ridge of hills along its northern and southern boundaries. These constitute the valley walls of the Great Valley
, which runs generally west to east toward the Schuylkill River
. In the center of the township, there is a somewhat uneven valley floor. The Great Valley contains a number of streams, including Valley Creek and Little Valley Creek, which is a narrow stream that goes across land and woodlands.
, currently owned and operated by Amtrak
and also used by SEPTA, whose Paoli/Thorndale Line
regional rail service, passes through, though no stations are located in the township.
of 2000, there were 9,333 people, 3,254 households, and 2,255 families residing in the township. The population density
was 848.6 people per square mile (327.6/km²). There were 3,460 housing units at an average density of 314.6/sq mi (121.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 89.57% White, 3.28% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races
, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.42% of the population.
There were 3,254 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples
living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $69,500, and the median income for a family was $75,818. Males had a median income of $55,969 versus $35,507 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $30,258. About 3.9% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
, the township also serves as U.S headquarters to several national and international firms including Siemens Health Services (formerly SMS), Vishay, SCT, Centocor
and Aegon
, as well as being home to numerous smaller businesses and retail shops. The Frazer Diner
is a 1929 diner on U.S. Route 30
in Frazer.
Acme Markets has its headquarters in the township.
serves as the public education for the township. The public schools serving the township are Kathryn D. Markley Elementary, Great Valley Middle School, and Great Valley High School
. Penn State
has a graduate center here, Penn State Great Valley. LeBow College of Drexel University
and Immaculata University
are located in the township.
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-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...
, 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 10,650 at the 2010 census.
History
Founded in 1704, Whiteland Township was made up of what is today known as East and West Whiteland townships. The first European settlers were WelshWelsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
. The name Whiteland came from Whitford Garden in Flintshire
Flintshire
Flintshire is a county in north-east Wales. It borders Denbighshire, Wrexham and the English county of Cheshire. It is named after the historic county of Flintshire, which had notably different borders...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Whiteland Township was divided into two townships in 1765.
Native Americans called the area "The Dark Valley" because of the numerous trees and undergrowth. During the American Revolution, Gen. George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and many of his troops camped at Malin Hall here. They were preparing for a September 16, 1777, encounter with British General William Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence...
. The Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
also camped near White Horse Inn on Swedesford Road. Because of bad weather, however, the "Battle of the Clouds
Battle of the Clouds
The Battle of the Clouds was an aborted engagement of the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War on September 16, 1777, in the area surrounding present day Malvern, Pennsylvania...
" was never fought.
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 11 square miles (28.5 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²), or 0.27%, is water. East Whiteland Township is located about 25 miles (40.2 km) west of Philadelphia.
The township has a ridge of hills along its northern and southern boundaries. These constitute the valley walls of the Great Valley
Great Valley (Chester County, Pennsylvania)
Great Valley is a west-to-east valley through the center of Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. It is also sometimes referred to as Chester Valley, and both names are in use throughout the region. The valley stretches from the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County in the east, southwesterly...
, which runs generally west to east toward 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...
. In the center of the township, there is a somewhat uneven valley floor. The Great Valley contains a number of streams, including Valley Creek and Little Valley Creek, which is a narrow stream that goes across land and woodlands.
Prominent transportation routes
The former main line of the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, currently owned and operated by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and also used by SEPTA, whose Paoli/Thorndale Line
Paoli/Thorndale Line
The Paoli/Thorndale Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line running from Center City Philadelphia to Thorndale in Chester County.-Route:This branch utilizes one of the oldest sections of what is now Amtrak's Keystone Corridor, an electrified 104-mile two to four-track high-speed route between Harrisburg...
regional rail service, passes through, though no stations are located in the township.
Highways
- U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
- U.S. Route 30U.S. Route 30U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
- Pennsylvania Route 29Pennsylvania Route 29Pennsylvania Route 29 is a 118 mile long north–south state highway that runs through most of eastern Pennsylvania. The route currently exists in two segments, a southern segment and a northern segment. The southernmost terminus of the designation is at U.S. Route 30 in Malvern...
- Pennsylvania Route 401Pennsylvania Route 401Pennsylvania Route 401 is a short east–west state route in Berks and Chester counties, located in southeast Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 23 in Caernarvon Township, across the county line from Elverson. The eastern terminus is at U.S...
- Pennsylvania Route 352Pennsylvania Route 352Pennsylvania Route 352 is a north–south route that begins at U.S. Route 13 in Chester and ends at U.S. Route 30 in Malvern. It is known as Middletown Road between Pennsylvania Route 452 and Pennsylvania Route 926, with the route north of Route 926 called Chester Road.- Delaware County :A few...
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 9,333 people, 3,254 households, and 2,255 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 848.6 people per square mile (327.6/km²). There were 3,460 housing units at an average density of 314.6/sq mi (121.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 89.57% White, 3.28% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.73% 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 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.42% of the population.
There were 3,254 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% 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, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $69,500, and the median income for a family was $75,818. Males had a median income of $55,969 versus $35,507 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 $30,258. About 3.9% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Home to the Great Valley Corporate CenterGreat Valley Corporate Center
Great Valley Corporate Center is a business park community in Malvern and East Whiteland, Pennsylvania, located off U.S. Route 202. Great Valley Corporate Center is about for offices and Research and Development ....
, the township also serves as U.S headquarters to several national and international firms including Siemens Health Services (formerly SMS), Vishay, SCT, Centocor
Centocor
Janssen Biotech, Inc., formerly Centocor Biotech, Inc., is a biotechnology company that was founded in Philadelphia in 1979 with an initial goal of developing new diagnostic assays using monoclonal antibody technology....
and Aegon
AEGON
Aegon N.V. is one of the world’s largest life insurance and pension groups, and a strong provider of investment products. Aegon's head office is in The Hague, Netherlands...
, as well as being home to numerous smaller businesses and retail shops. The Frazer Diner
Frazer Diner
The Frazer Diner, was built by the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company and established in 1929, at 189 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer, PA 19355 in East Whiteland Township. It is now the only remaining example of an unaltered 1930s O'Mahoney diner...
is a 1929 diner on U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
in Frazer.
Acme Markets has its headquarters in the township.
Education
The Great Valley School DistrictGreat Valley School District
The 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...
serves as the public education for the township. The public schools serving the township are Kathryn D. Markley Elementary, Great Valley Middle School, and Great Valley High School
Great Valley High School
Great Valley High School is a high school in eastern Chester County. It is located near Malvern, Pennsylvania. It is located on the same campus as Great Valley Middle School. It is the only high school of the Great Valley School District....
. Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
has a graduate center here, Penn State Great Valley. LeBow College of Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
and Immaculata University
Immaculata University
Immaculata 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...
are located in the township.