East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania

Geobox Township
name = East Whiteland Township
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Township


image_size = 250px
image_caption = Merging onto PA 401 from US 202 in the township


flag_size =
symbol =
symbol_size =
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region = Chester
region_type = County
district =
area_imperial = 11.0
area_land_imperial = 11.0
area_water_imperial = 0.0
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 02
lat_s = 20
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 33
long_s = 18
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 427
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 9333
population_density_imperial = 848.6
population_density_round = 1
established =
leader_type = Township Manager
leader = Terry Woodman
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code =
postal_code_type =
area_code = 610
area_code_type =
code2_type =
code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_size =
map_caption = Location of East Whiteland Township in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map1 = Map of USA PA.svg
map1_caption = Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
website = http://www.eastwhiteland.org

East Whiteland Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 9,333 at the 2000 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 Welsh. The name Whiteland came from the Whiteland Gardens, in Flintshire, Wales. Whiteland Township was divided into two townships in 1732.

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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.6 km²), of which, 11.0 square miles (28.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.27%) is water. East Whiteland Township is located about 25 miles from 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 the Valley Creek, a watershed, and the Little Valley Creek, which is a narrow stream that goes across land and woodlands. [http://www.eastwhiteland.org/docs/about.html]

Prominent transportation routes

The former main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, currently owned by Amtrak and also used by them and SEPTA, passes through the township. R5 regional rail service passes through the township, though no stations are located in the township.

Highways

*U.S. Route 202
*U.S. Route 30
*Pennsylvania Route 29
*Pennsylvania Route 401
*Pennsylvania Route 352 [http://www.eastwhiteland.org/docs/about.html]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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.

Local Business

Home to the Great Valley Corporate Center, 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.

Education

The Great Valley School District serves as the public education for the township. Penn State has a graduate center here, Penn State Great Valley.

Prominent East Whitelanders

A number of people from East Whiteland Township have achieved prominence (usually elsewhere), including:

* Thomas Harris, head of the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

* John Harris, brother of Thomas and commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

References

External links

* [http://www.eastwhiteland.org/index.html East Whiteland Township]