Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania

Geobox Township
name = Lower Makefield Township
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Township


image_size =
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flag_size =
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country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region = Bucks
region_type = County
district =
area_imperial = 18.3
area_land_imperial = 17.9
area_water_imperial = 0.4
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 13
lat_s = 32
lat_NS = N
long_d = 74
long_m = 49
long_s = 56
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 121
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 32681
population_density_imperial = 1821.8
population_density_round = 1
government_type =
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established =
mayor =
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code =
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area_code = 215
area_code_type =
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code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County
map1 = Pennsylvania Locator Map.png map1_caption = Location of Lower Makefield Township in Pennsylvania
map1_locator = Pennsylvania
map2 = Map of USA PA.svg
map2_caption = Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
website = http://www.lmt.org

Lower Makefield Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA and usually referred to as "Yardley" due to the prominence of Yardley Borough in that area. However, Yardley Borough is much smaller by both population and land area, and is surrounded by Lower Makefield on 3-sides (the fourth side being the Delaware River).

Lower Makefield Township is located in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area (also known as the Delaware Valley), and its crime rate is the lowest in the Metropolitan Area, but it boarders several towns in New Jersey to its north and east that are all in the New York Metropolitan Area. A plethora of residents commute daily to both cities.

Lower Makefield borders the Delaware River which separates it from New Jersey. Bordering towns and cities in New Jersey are Hopewell Township, Ewing Township and Trenton (the capital of New Jersey). Additionally, it borders Upper Makefield Township, PA, Newtown Township, PA, Middletown Township, PA, Falls Township, PA, and Morrisville, PA, and as mentioned above, surrounds Yardley Borough on 3-sides.

As of the 2000 census, the population of Lower Makefield Township was 32,681 not including Yardley Borough, and it ranked #1 in Pennsylvania for both median household and median family income (for places with a population over 10,000), however it ranked only #78 overall in the United States (between Westfield, New Jersey and Moraga, California) for median household income, but non-census 2006 data indicates that since the 2000 census, it moved all the way up to #31 for median household income (between Wellesley, Massachusetts and Rye, New York), and #9 for disposable household income, due to relatively low taxes and extremely low house prices compared to other peer, very-high-income towns. In fact living expenses are actually lower than in the bordering Ewing Township, New Jersey, even though Ewing's median household income is nearly half and has a crime rate many times higher. (See )

Lower Makefield is the largest municipality (by population) in North America without its own municipal court or post office. The municipal court and post office serving Lower Makefield are both in Morrisville (the town bordering the township to the southeast), and there are no plans to change the arrangements with Morrisville. Previously Morrisville had a higher population, but with the growth in Lower Makefield over the past 30 years, Morrisville is now a much smaller place by both land area and population.

As a result of the affluence and high median income in Lower Makefield Township, 19067 has been listed as the second wealthiest zip code in Pennsylvania based on IRS figures for Adjusted Gross Income. If the township had its own post office and zip code, it would be the wealthiest zip code in Pennsylvania.

Lower Makefield Township has been a top finisher in the MONEY Magazine and CNN/Money "Best Places to Live" rankings for the Eastern region of the United States in the under 100,000 population category.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 18.3 square miles (47.4 km²), of which, 17.9 square miles (46.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (1.97%) is water.

Development and Growth

Lower Makefield, according to 2004 census estimations, is the fastest growing municipality in Lower Bucks County. Many housing developments and some corporate centers have been constructed since 2000, the latter especially the Stony Hill Road corridor around I-95, beginning with office complexes 1000 to 1040 Stony Hill Road in 1998, followed by 600 to 800 Township Line Road (at Township Line & Stony Hill), 777 Township Line Road (the first green building in Bucks County), and a new age-restricted housing complex under construction at 645 Stony Hill Road, near the township's retail district. However, the township has been well-planned and maintains a strong balance between growth and preservation, and is considered to be very desirable for the high quality of life it offers residents.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 32,681 people, 11,706 households, and 9,388 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,821.8 people per square mile (703.4/km²). There were 11,931 housing units at an average density of 665.1/sq mi (256.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.32% White, 1.81% African American, 0.07% Native American, 3.72% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 11,706 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.5% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 16.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the township the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $98,090, and the median income for a family was $106,908. Males had a median income of $80,329 versus $47,138 for females. The per capita income for the township was $43,983. About 1.8% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Other

In addition to Lower Makefield and Yardley, postal zip code 19067 also includes the borough of Morrisville, located southeast of Lower Makefield Township along the Delaware River. However, Morrisville is a distinctly separate town entity and has its own government, school system, police department, fire department, and sports programs.

Lower Makefield is part of the Pennsbury School District, which is a top-ranked Blue Ribbon school district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsbury High School prom has become world famous, and in 2004, the novel "Wonderland: A Year in the Life of an American High School" by Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Bamberger was released to critical and commercial acclaim. Based on the 2002-2003 school year, it follows around a handful of students as they deal with the trials and tribulations of high school while centering around senior prom. Paramount Pictures, in conjunction with MTV Films, has optioned the rights to a film based on the book. In 2004, Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum star John Mayer performed at the prom, following in the footsteps of bands Maroon 5, Michael Tolcher and Eve 6 who had previously performed at Pennsbury High School.

In the September 11th Attacks on the twin towers in New York City, Lower Makefield Township lost 6 residents, including the captain of United Airlines Flight 175, the highest number in Pennsylvania, which lost a total of 29 tower employees. This high concentration is most likely due to the large number of Manhattan commuters who live there. The Garden of Reflection Memorial in Lower Makefield went into development shortly after the 9/11/2001 attacks as a dedication to the 17 Bucks County residents who perished in the attacks, and it also honors all of the 2,973 victims who lost their lives. The State of Pennsylvania has selected The Garden of Reflection as the Official Pennsylvania 9-11 Memorial, and it was formally dedicated on September 30, 2006. The $1.4 million memorial, designed by Yardley architect Liuba Laschyk, includes twin fountains representing the towers of the World Trade Center; a Walk of Remembrance, with a series of glass panels etched with the names of the 2,973 people who lost their lives in the 9-11 attacks; and a memorial rail etched with the names of the 17 residents from Bucks County who were killed.

On October 28, 2004, President George W. Bush visited with a crowd of 23,000 at Ruth Wright's 84-acre Broadmeadows Farm in Lower Makefield during a campaign rally for the 2004 Presidential election.

Lower Makefield Township developed its own 18-hole golf course, Makefield Highlands Golf Club, which opened in 2004, and it is considered the only true links-style golf course in the Tri-State area. The club includes a par-72 course designed by Rick Jacobson, The Highlands Grille restaurant, Pro Shop, golf instruction, and full practice facility (driving range with both mat and grass areas, putting green, and chipping green with bunkers).

Shady Brook Farm is a popular location for area residents, and is located in Lower Makefield. Shady Brook Farm has a large Farm Market and Garden Center, and hosts many events, including Pumpkin Fest and HorrorFest in the fall, Santa's Village and the Holiday Light Show during the Christmas season, and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, as well as others throughout the year, including the Wine Concert Series and Apple Festival.

In June 2006 at the 88th Annual Bucks County Fireman's Association Parade in Quakertown, PA, the all-volunteer Yardley-Makefield Fire Company won best overall fire department, as well as first place awards in the following categories: marine unit, deputy or chief's vehicle, aerial tower, over 1,500 gallon-a-minute engine, light rescue pumper, 1965 and older motorized apparatus, and best marching unit with music.

In October 2006, the 15th annual YMS (Yardley-Makefield Soccer) Columbus Cup soccer tournament was recognized by Gotsoccer.com as a Premier Elite Tournament, which puts the YMS tournament at the same level as the Disney Showcase, Jefferson Cup, Bethesda, Dallas Cup, WAGS, Raleigh Shootout and the other most highly rated tournaments.

The Annual Pennsbury Invitational Tournament is a softball fastpitch tournament, and in its 27 years has become one of the largest and fastest-growing tournaments of its kind in the nation. It is considered to be one of the top NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Recruiting Camp tournaments and draws top players and college recruiters from more than a dozen states as well as Canada. In 2006, 78 teams and more than 225 college coaches participated.

The Slate Hill Cemetery, located at Yardley-Morrisville Rd. at Mahlon Dr. in Lower Makefield Township, is open to the public and is possibly the oldest burying grounds in Bucks County. It was established in 1690 and the earliest gravestone is dated 1698. There are a number of unmarked graves, for which dates are unknown. These unmarked graves are believed to be the final resting-places of a number of the early settlers in Lower Makefield.

Washington Crossing Historic Park is located just over the Lower Makefield Township town line in the Washington Crossing section of Upper Makefield Township. From this site, General George Washington and men of the Continental Army and militia crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 and marched to Trenton, New Jersey. There they attacked and defeated Hessian troops quartered in and around the village. This surprise attack and victory set the stage for Washington's subsequent victories at the Second Battle of Trenton and Princeton. The Crossing and the Trenton/Princeton campaign have become known as the Ten Crucial Days — a campaign that saved Washington's army from defeat, allowing them to fight another day and achieve ultimate victory.

References

External links

* [http://www.lmt.org/ Lower Makefield Township]
* [http://www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us/ Pennsbury School District]
* [http://www.lmtpolice.org/ Township of Lower Makefield Police Department]
* [http://www.yardleymakefieldfire.com Yardley-Makefield Fire Company]
* [http://www.9-11memorialgarden.org/ Garden of Reflection]
* [http://www.ymssoccer.com/ Yardley-Makefield Soccer]
* [http://www.buckslib.org/libraries/Yardley/index.htm/ Yardley-Makefield Public Library]