Collier Township, Pennsylvania

Collier Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,265 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 14.2 square miles (36.9 km²), of which, 14.2 square miles (36.8 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.21% water.

Inner-communities of Collier Township

Kirwan Heights, Rennerdale, Cubbage Hill, Ewing Road, Fort Pitt, Nevillewood.

urrounding neighborhoods

Bridgeville (a neighboring borough), Carnegie (a neighboring borough), Heidelberg (a neighboring borough), North Fayette Township, Oakdale (a neighboring borough), Robinson Township, South Fayette Township

History

The earliest settlers of the township were James Ewing, Gabriel, Isaac Walker and Ken Hutton. James Ewing was born in Cecil County, Maryland, about 1730, emigrated to the west in 1770, and built a gristmill on Robinson's run. His claim comprised a thousand acres (4 km²). Gabriel and Isaac Walker were born in Lancaster County, Pa., the former in 1744, the latter in 1746. The Scotch-Irish brothers emigrated to the west in 1772, and purchased two thousand acres (8 km²) from John Henry. Gabriel located near Hays crossing, on the Pan Handle railroad, and Isaac at Walker's Mills.

Collier Township was erected on June 7, 1875, comprising portions of Robinson and South Fayette townships, and a half-square mile of North Fayette. The township is named for Hon. Frederick H. Collier, a county court judge.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,265 people, 2,224 households, and 1,547 families residing in the township. The population density was 371.0 people per square mile (143.3/km²). There were 2,358 housing units at an average density of 166.2/sq mi (64.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.06% White, 0.74% African American, 0.49% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 2,224 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the township the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,989, and the median income for a family was $50,469. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $31,837 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,841. About 3.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

References

"History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Volume II", A. Warner & Co., Publishers, Chicago, Ill., 1899, Chapter II, pp. 26-28. Original images and transcriptions available at [http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/ Historic Pittsburgh]