Willistown Township, Pennsylvania

Geobox Township
name = Willistown Township
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Township


image_size =
image_caption =


flag_size =
symbol_type = Seal
symbol = Seal-1-.png symbol_size =
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region = Chester
region_type = County
district =
area_imperial = 18.2
area_land_imperial = 18.2
area_water_imperial = 0.0
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 39
lat_m = 59
lat_s = 00
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 28
long_s = 59
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 351
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 10001
population_density_imperial = 549.0
population_density_round = 1
established_type = Founded
established = 1704
mayor =
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 Willistown Township in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map1 = Map of USA PA.svg
map1_caption = Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
website = http://www.willistown.pa.us

Willistown Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,011 at the 2000 census. In 1860 the recorded census of Willistown was 1,521, and in 1980 it was 8,269.

History

Originally settled by Lenni Lenape Indians, Willistown Township was part of the 50,000 acre Welsh Tract surveyed for William Penn in 1684. The Holmes Map of 1681 is the first reference to Willistown, calling it "Willeston". In 1704, Willistown was organized as a township.

An Indian reservation was located here and is memorialized by a monument.

The first roads in Willistown Township were Indian trails. In 1710, three cowpaths were established here: Goshen, Sugartown, and Boot. Those roads are still in existence, under the same names.

The Paoli Massacre was located in Willistown Township.

The Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, later to be known as the Pennsylvania Railroad, had its eastern terminus in this township. The terminus was moved to Frazer in 1870.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.2 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 10,011 people, 3,806 households, and 2,850 families residing in the township. The population density was 549.0 people per square mile (212.0/km²). There were 3,932 housing units at an average density of 215.6/sq mi (83.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.85% White, 2.14% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population.

There were 3,806 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% 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 23.4% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $77,555, and the median income for a family was $93,057. Males had a median income of $62,398 versus $39,468 for females. The per capita income for the township was $45,010. About 1.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The township is served by Great Valley School District.

References

External links

* [http://www.willistown.pa.us Willistown Township]