Lancaster Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Lancaster Township is a civil township
of Lancaster County
, Pennsylvania
, in the United States
. It is in the central area and it immediately surrounds Lancaster City
. As of the 2000 census
, the township population was 13,944.
Lancaster Township is one of the six immediate suburb
s of the city of Lancaster
, all sharing the same official designation as Lancaster, Pennsylvania by the United States Postal Service
.
, Manor Township
, the Little Conestoga Creek
, (East) Hempfield Township
, and Manheim Township
. A two-mile square was later cut out of the northern part of Lancaster Township to create the county seat of Lancaster City.
The creation of the county caused an influx of people to come to Lancaster City, and Lancaster Township, its closest suburb, received many people too, with many people living here and working in the city. As Lancaster became larger and more prominent, larger roads and railroads needed to extend out to its suburbs, including Lancaster Township. The town even had its own canal, the Conestoga Navigation Canal on the Conestoga River.
Lancaster Township's growth was slow but steady, with about 150 people joining the community each decade prior to 1900. Since then, as the Industrial Revolution
came to a close, Lancaster Township has been transformed into a mostly residential municipality.
, the township has a total area of 6 square miles (15.5 km²), all of it land. It is bounded by the Conestoga River
to the south and east, and its tributary, the Little Conestoga Creek
to the west.
Most of the township lies to west and south of the city of Lancaster, but smaller exclaves of the township lies to the east and southeast of the city. Its neighboring municipalities are Manheim Township
, the city of Lancaster, East Lampeter Township, Pequea Township, the borough of Millersville
, Manor Township
, and East Hempfield Township.
The township also surrounds the village of Bausman
, an unincorporated community that has its own post office and ZIP code (17504), while the township is covered by 17603 and 17602.
The township is home to President James Buchanan
's summer residence, Wheatland
, located at 1120 Mariette Avenue. The 1828 Federal-style mansion is National Historic Landmark and has been restored to reflect the period of Buchanan's occupancy in the mid-19th century. Wheatland is featured within the township's seal.
In the most recent municipal election on November 3, 2009, Tony Allen was defeated in his bid for a fourth term as supervisor by Democrat Benjamin Bamford in a very close race. Initial results gave Bamford an 11-vote margin of victory, or less than one-half of one percent of votes cast. Unofficial results had 1,188 votes for Bamford to 1,177 votes for Allen. After 27 registered voters petitioned the elections board, a later manual recount increased Bamford's margin to 13 votes out of 2,371 votes cast, with 1,192 votes for Bamford to Allen's 1,179 (50.2% to 49.8%).
In a county with a strong history of voting for Republicans, Bamford's victory made history. When Bamford takes office, Lancaster Township will be the first township in the county to be governed by a board that is majority Democratic.
of 2000, there were 13,944 people, 5,892 households, and 3,694 families residing in the township. The population density
was 2,314.9 people per square mile (894.3/km²). There were 6,094 housing units at an average density of 1,011.7/sq mi (390.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.08% White, 6.45% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.24% from other races
, and 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.65% of the population.
There were 5,892 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $44,459, and the median income for a family was $52,961. Males had a median income of $37,522 versus $26,286 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $25,555. About 7.0% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
. The school district has 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, and one high school. Of these, three elementary schools (James Buchanan, Thomas H. Burrowes, and Elizabeth R. Martin) and one middle school (Wheatland) are located in the township.
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
of Lancaster County
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
, 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...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is in the central area and it immediately surrounds Lancaster City
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the township population was 13,944.
Lancaster Township is one of the six immediate suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s of the city of Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, all sharing the same official designation as Lancaster, Pennsylvania by the United States Postal Service
United 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...
.
History
Lancaster Township was established in 1729 as one of seventeen original townships in Lancaster County. It was the smallest of the townships with its boundaries being defined by the Conestoga RiverConestoga River
The Conestoga River, also referred to as Conestoga Creek, is a tributary of the Susquehanna River flowing through the center of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.-Geography:...
, Manor Township
Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Manor Township is a township in west central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. Manor Township takes its name from the Manor of Conestoga, which was originally surveyed and reserved for William Penn in 1719. It was changed to its present form in 1759...
, the Little Conestoga Creek
Little Conestoga Creek
The Little Conestoga Creek is a tributary of the Conestoga River in Pennsylvania. The Landis Mill Covered Bridge crosses the creek.The name of the creek comes from the Susquehannock Kanestoge, meaning "at the place of the immersed pole". This was the name of the principal Susquehannock...
, (East) Hempfield Township
East Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania
East Hempfield Township is a township in west-central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 21,399....
, and Manheim Township
Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Manheim Township is a township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania established in 1729, which southernmost border meets the city limits of Lancaster. The population as of the 2000 census was 33,697.-Government:...
. A two-mile square was later cut out of the northern part of Lancaster Township to create the county seat of Lancaster City.
The creation of the county caused an influx of people to come to Lancaster City, and Lancaster Township, its closest suburb, received many people too, with many people living here and working in the city. As Lancaster became larger and more prominent, larger roads and railroads needed to extend out to its suburbs, including Lancaster Township. The town even had its own canal, the Conestoga Navigation Canal on the Conestoga River.
Lancaster Township's growth was slow but steady, with about 150 people joining the community each decade prior to 1900. Since then, as the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
came to a close, Lancaster Township has been transformed into a mostly residential municipality.
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 6 square miles (15.5 km²), all of it land. It is bounded by the Conestoga River
Conestoga River
The Conestoga River, also referred to as Conestoga Creek, is a tributary of the Susquehanna River flowing through the center of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.-Geography:...
to the south and east, and its tributary, the Little Conestoga Creek
Little Conestoga Creek
The Little Conestoga Creek is a tributary of the Conestoga River in Pennsylvania. The Landis Mill Covered Bridge crosses the creek.The name of the creek comes from the Susquehannock Kanestoge, meaning "at the place of the immersed pole". This was the name of the principal Susquehannock...
to the west.
Most of the township lies to west and south of the city of Lancaster, but smaller exclaves of the township lies to the east and southeast of the city. Its neighboring municipalities are Manheim Township
Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Manheim Township is a township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania established in 1729, which southernmost border meets the city limits of Lancaster. The population as of the 2000 census was 33,697.-Government:...
, the city of Lancaster, East Lampeter Township, Pequea Township, the borough of Millersville
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Millersville is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 7,774.-Geography:Millersville is located at ....
, Manor Township
Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Manor Township is a township in west central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. Manor Township takes its name from the Manor of Conestoga, which was originally surveyed and reserved for William Penn in 1719. It was changed to its present form in 1759...
, and East Hempfield Township.
The township also surrounds the village of Bausman
Bausman, Pennsylvania
Bausman, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community located in Lancaster Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania....
, an unincorporated community that has its own post office and ZIP code (17504), while the township is covered by 17603 and 17602.
The township is home to President James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
's summer residence, Wheatland
Wheatland (Lancaster)
Wheatland, or the James Buchanan House, is a brick, Federal style house outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster Township, Lancaster County. It was formerly owned by the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan....
, located at 1120 Mariette Avenue. The 1828 Federal-style mansion is National Historic Landmark and has been restored to reflect the period of Buchanan's occupancy in the mid-19th century. Wheatland is featured within the township's seal.
Government and Politics
Lancaster Township is governed by a three-member Board of Supervisors, who serve staggered six-year terms. The current supervisors are Tom Schaller (chair), Benjamin Bamford (vice-chair) and Kathy Wasong (treasurer). Their terms expire at the end of 2013, 2015, and 2011, respectively.In the most recent municipal election on November 3, 2009, Tony Allen was defeated in his bid for a fourth term as supervisor by Democrat Benjamin Bamford in a very close race. Initial results gave Bamford an 11-vote margin of victory, or less than one-half of one percent of votes cast. Unofficial results had 1,188 votes for Bamford to 1,177 votes for Allen. After 27 registered voters petitioned the elections board, a later manual recount increased Bamford's margin to 13 votes out of 2,371 votes cast, with 1,192 votes for Bamford to Allen's 1,179 (50.2% to 49.8%).
In a county with a strong history of voting for Republicans, Bamford's victory made history. When Bamford takes office, Lancaster Township will be the first township in the county to be governed by a board that is majority Democratic.
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 13,944 people, 5,892 households, and 3,694 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 2,314.9 people per square mile (894.3/km²). There were 6,094 housing units at an average density of 1,011.7/sq mi (390.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.08% White, 6.45% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.24% 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 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.65% of the population.
There were 5,892 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% 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, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $44,459, and the median income for a family was $52,961. Males had a median income of $37,522 versus $26,286 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 $25,555. About 7.0% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Lancaster Township, as well as Lancaster proper, are served by the School District of LancasterSchool District of Lancaster
The School District of Lancaster is a large, urban school district of 11,300 students educated in 19 schools in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Established in 1836, it is the second oldest school district in the state. School District of Lancaster encompasses approximately 11 square miles....
. The school district has 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, and one high school. Of these, three elementary schools (James Buchanan, Thomas H. Burrowes, and Elizabeth R. Martin) and one middle school (Wheatland) are located in the township.