Straban Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Straban Township is a township in Adams County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 4,539 at the 2000 census.
. Named for Strabane
, a town in Northern Ireland
, this spelling was in use as late as the 1870s. For the most part the original boundaries remain unchanged to this day. York County
was formed out of Lancaster County in 1749, and for the next 51 years Straban Township was a part of York County, until Adams County was formed in 1800.
and U.S. Route 30
, not far from the East Cavalry Field battle site. Legislation enacted in 2005 known as "Act 71" permitted up to 60,000 slot machines to be located in casinos throughout the state in an effort to offset high property taxes. One of two available casino licenses was pursued by Chance Enterprises Inc. and Millennium Management Group
for their proposed "Crossroads Gaming Resort & Spa". Many of the residents of Gettysburg
(the closest incoprorated city/town/borough) and tourists believed that a casino near Gettysburg and the resulting increase in traffic would have had a negative impact on Gettysburg's hallowed ground. A group called "No Casino Gettysburg," made up of local citizens as well as students and faculty of Gettysburg College
, was formed to lobby against the proposal. On April 3, 2006, the Gettysburg borough council voted by 6–3 to support the proposal.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
(PGCB) began hearings on the proposal on April 5, 2006, at Gettysburg College. A second hearing was held on April 7, 2006 in Harrisburg and a third and final hearing occurred on May 17, 2006 at Gettysburg College.http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/headlines/news/051806/front1.htm On August 23, 2006, the board announced that it intended to reach a final decision on the casino proposal by December 20, 2006.http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5slotsaug24,0,7251517.story On that date, the PGCB opted not to award Crossroads a casino license, effectively killing the proposal. Crossroads' president soon announced that he will not appeal the decision (Gettysburg Times, December 22, 2006). In February 2007, the activist group, No Casino Gettysburg, disbanded.
, the township has a total area of 34.4 square miles (89.2 km²), of which, 34.4 square miles (89.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.12%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,539 people, 1,687 households, and 1,233 families residing in the township. The population density
was 131.9 people per square mile (50.9/km²). There were 1,816 housing units at an average density of 52.8/sq mi (20.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.86% White, 1.43% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.90% from other races
, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.
There were 1,687 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.9% 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 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $44,008, and the median income for a family was $51,979. Males had a median income of $30,231 versus $22,336 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $19,530. About 4.5% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Adams County, Pennsylvania
Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,407. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams...
, 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 4,539 at the 2000 census.
Founding
Straban Township was created in 1746 when this area was still part of Lancaster CountyLancaster 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...
. Named for Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
, a town in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, this spelling was in use as late as the 1870s. For the most part the original boundaries remain unchanged to this day. York County
York County, Pennsylvania
York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania....
was formed out of Lancaster County in 1749, and for the next 51 years Straban Township was a part of York County, until Adams County was formed in 1800.
Casino proposal
During 2006 there was debate about the proposed construction of a casino in Straban Township near the intersection of U.S. Route 15U.S. Route 15
U.S. Route 15 is a -long United States highway, designated along South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. The route is signed north–south, from U.S. Route 17 Alternate in Walterboro, South Carolina to Interstate 86 and NY 17 in Painted Post, New York.US...
and 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...
, not far from the East Cavalry Field battle site. Legislation enacted in 2005 known as "Act 71" permitted up to 60,000 slot machines to be located in casinos throughout the state in an effort to offset high property taxes. One of two available casino licenses was pursued by Chance Enterprises Inc. and Millennium Management Group
Millennium Management Group
Millennium Management Group is a privately held, Las Vegas, Nevada-based gaming management company. It owns and operates several locals casinos in the Las Vegas area.-History:...
for their proposed "Crossroads Gaming Resort & Spa". Many of the residents of Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is a borough that is the county seat, part of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and the eponym for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park and has 3 institutions of higher learning: Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg College, and...
(the closest incoprorated city/town/borough) and tourists believed that a casino near Gettysburg and the resulting increase in traffic would have had a negative impact on Gettysburg's hallowed ground. A group called "No Casino Gettysburg," made up of local citizens as well as students and faculty of Gettysburg College
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg College is a private four-year liberal arts college founded in 1832, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States, adjacent to the famous battlefield. Its athletic teams are nicknamed the Bullets. Gettysburg College has about 2,700 students, with roughly equal numbers of men and women...
, was formed to lobby against the proposal. On April 3, 2006, the Gettysburg borough council voted by 6–3 to support the proposal.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is a governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded in 2004 as the state licensing and regulatory agency responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state....
(PGCB) began hearings on the proposal on April 5, 2006, at Gettysburg College. A second hearing was held on April 7, 2006 in Harrisburg and a third and final hearing occurred on May 17, 2006 at Gettysburg College.http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/headlines/news/051806/front1.htm On August 23, 2006, the board announced that it intended to reach a final decision on the casino proposal by December 20, 2006.http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5slotsaug24,0,7251517.story On that date, the PGCB opted not to award Crossroads a casino license, effectively killing the proposal. Crossroads' president soon announced that he will not appeal the decision (Gettysburg Times, December 22, 2006). In February 2007, the activist group, No Casino Gettysburg, disbanded.
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 34.4 square miles (89.2 km²), of which, 34.4 square miles (89.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.12%) is water.
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 4,539 people, 1,687 households, and 1,233 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 131.9 people per square mile (50.9/km²). There were 1,816 housing units at an average density of 52.8/sq mi (20.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.86% White, 1.43% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.
There were 1,687 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.9% 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 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $44,008, and the median income for a family was $51,979. Males had a median income of $30,231 versus $22,336 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 $19,530. About 4.5% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.