Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Abington Township, Pennsylvania
Township


Seal

Location of Abington Township in Montgomery County
Abington Township

Location of Abington in Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 40°06′00″N 75°05′59″W / 40.10000°N 75.09972°W / 40.10000; -75.09972Coordinates: 40°06′00″N 75°05′59″W / 40.10000°N 75.09972°W / 40.10000; -75.09972[1]
Country United States
Commonwealth Pennsylvania
County Montgomery
Incorporated 1704
Government[2]
 • President of the Board of Commissioners Wayne Luker (D)
Area
 • Total 15.5 sq mi (40 km2)
 • Land 15.5 sq mi (40 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation[1] 282 ft (86 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 55,310
 • Estimate (2008) 55,234
 • Density 3,630.3/sq mi (1,401.7/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 19001, 19006, 19027, 19038, 19046, 19090
Area code(s) 215 and 267
Website www.abington.org

Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, adjacent to Philadelphia's northern fringe.[4] The population was 55,310 as of the 2010 census, making it the second most populous township in Montgomery County (following Lower Merion Township). The population density is 3603.3 per square mile, making it the second most densely populated township in Montgomery County (following Cheltenham Township).

Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities, dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's oldest transportation routes, industries and churches. Many of these older business and transportation centers were the forerunners of modern Abington. Abington contains the Willow Grove Park Mall, several small businesses, and a few of Montgomery County's largest employers.[2]

History

The land that comprises Abington today was purchased from the native Lenape by William Penn during the 1680s. By the next decade, a handful of European settlers built and lived in Hill Township, at the crossroads of Susquehanna Street Road and Old York Road. After brief times under other names, the township incorporated as Abington in 1704. The name's origin is not known.[5] A local 1734 census counted 42 resident landowners.[6] During the U.S. War of Independence, there was a small battle that took place at Edge Hill.[4]

Some institutions have been in Abington for most of its existence. The cornerstone of the original Abington Friends School, in operation since before Abington's incorporation, is used in today's school building. The Abington Presbyterian Church opened in the early years of the township, and while the original building is gone, its graveyard is still used today.

The railroad reached the township in 1855,[4] with the first station building erected in 1873 on the site of today's Noble Station.[5]

Abington Senior High School and Fox Chase Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40 km2), of which, 15.4 square miles (40 km2) of it is land.

Communities

Abington Township comprises fifteen "communities" as follow alphabetically:

Communities:

The communities are unofficial, unincorporated subdivisions of the township, corresponding roughly to voting districts and elementary school placement. Their primary importance, aside from community identity, is the postal system (e.g., to send a letter to someone living in the Glenside community, you would address the letter to Glenside, Pennsylvania rather than Abington Township, Pennsylvania). Additionally, some portions of some of these subdivisions, including Glenside, Huntingdon Valley, North Hills, Willow Grove, and Elkins Park, are actually in neighboring townships.[2]

Local civic associations include Crestmont Civic Association, Glenside Gardens Civic Association, Hollywood Civic Association, Lower Huntingdon Valley Civic Association, McKinley Civic Association, Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association and Tall Trees Association. The civic associations work together on Traffic Summits in even years (2012, 2014, 2016, etc.) and Economic Summits in odd years (2013, 2015, 2017, etc.). These Summits focus on eliminating traffic congestion that interferes with the growth of businesses in the Township. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Traffic Calming Handbook recommends the formation of a Local Traffic Advisory Committee to work with officials to identify ways to improve safety of the community.

Climate data for Abington Township, Pennsylvania
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 37
(3)		 42
(6)		 50
(10)		 62
(17)		 72
(22)		 81
(27)		 85
(29)		 84
(29)		 77
(25)		 65
(18)		 54
(12)		 43
(6)		 62.7
(17)
Average low °F (°C) 21
(−6)		 42
(6)		 32
(0)		 41
(5)		 51
(11)		 63
(17)		 67
(19)		 65
(18)		 56
(13)		 43
(6)		 34
(1)		 26
(−3)		 45.1
(7.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.44
(87.4)		 3.01
(76.5)		 4.32
(109.7)		 4.12
(104.6)		 4.37
(111)		 4.60
(116.8)		 5.05
(128.3)		 3.98
(101.1)		 4.53
(115.1)		 3.82
(97)		 3.94
(100.1)		 4.23
(107.4)		 49.41
(1,255)
Source: The Weather Channel[8]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1890 2,703—    
1900 3,803+40.7%
1910 5,896+55.0%
1920 8,684+47.3%
1930 18,648+114.7%
1940 20,857+11.8%
1950 28,988+39.0%
1960 55,831+92.6%
1970 63,625+14.0%
1980 58,836−7.5%
1990 56,322−4.3%
2000 56,103−0.4%
2010 55,310−1.4%
Source:[9]

As of the 2010 census, the township was 79.7% White, 12.4% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.9% Asian, and 2.1% were two or more races. 3.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[10]

As of 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated there were 55,234 people, 21,252 occupied households, and 14,819 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,563 people per square mile (1,377/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 80% White, 12% Black, 3% Asian, a fraction of a percent Pacific Islander, 1% from other races, and 3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.

There were 21,252 households, out of which 32% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 11% had a female householder with no husband present, 56% were married couples living together, and 30% were non-families. 26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22% under the age of 18, 9% from 18 to 24, 25% from 25 to 44, 29% from 45 to 64, and 16% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. The population was 47% male, and 53% female.

The median income for a household in the township was $77,363, and the median income for a family was $94,473. The per capita income for the township was $38,737. About 2% of families and 3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1% of those under age 18 and 5% of those age 65 or over.[3]

Government

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic
2012 35.7% 11,253 63.1% 19,871
2008 34.4% 11,244 64.8% 21,210
2004 38.0% 12,116 61.7% 19,667
2000 59.0%16,586 38.4% 10,808
1996 37.2% 9,670 53.6% 13,933
1992 37.9% 13,933 46.3% 13,736

Abington Township does not have a mayor. Rather it is governed by a Board of Commissioners, who are elected one from each of the township's fifteen wards. A President of the Board is elected from among these commissioners, and serves as the head of government for Abington Township. Wayne Luker (D) is the current Commission President.[2]

All of the township is in the Thirteenth Congressional District (represented by Rep. Brendan Boyle).

All of the township falls within the 4th Senatorial District in the Pennsylvania Senate and is Represented by Art Haywood. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/senate_bio.cfm?id=1689

All of the township falls within the 153rd Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives and is represented by Madeleine Dean.

In 2004, Pennsylvanian political scientists Dr. G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young identified Abington Township as an especially interesting political bellwether — a local area "looked to for early readings of how national elections will turn out."[11]

Economy

The economy of the township includes manufacturing of pressed steel, chemicals, and metal and plastic products.[4]

Top employers

According to Abington Township's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[12] the top employers in the township are:

# Employer # of Employees Community
1 Abington Memorial Hospital 4,195 Abington
2 Holy Redeemer Health System 2,061 Huntingdon Valley
3 Willow Grove Park Mall 2,025 Willow Grove
4 Abington School District 1,073 Abington
5 SPS Technologies 822 Jenkintown
6 Penn State Abington 638 Abington
7 Abington Township 606 Abington
8 Macy's & Bloomingdale's 460 Willow Grove
9 Giant 337 Huntingdon Valley
10 Target 228 Abington

Services infrastructure

Abington Hospital–Jefferson Health[13] and Holy Redeemer Hospital are both located in Abington Township.

Alverthorpe Park is located in the community of Abington.
Abington Art Center is a contemporary art museum located in Abington.

Schools

Abington is served by the Abington School District. The elementary schools in this township are:

The middle school (grades 7–9) is Abington Junior High School and the senior high (grades 10–12) is Abington Senior High School.

There are several private schools located inside the township, such as Meadowbrook and Abington Friends School. Penn State’s Abington campus is located in the Rydal section of the township.

The school district received some notoriety in the 1960s when it became one of the key parties in the school prayer controversy, with Abington School District v. Schempp. The Supreme Court case resulted in a declaration of the unconstitutionality of school-sanctioned Bible reading.

The Elementary Schools, Junior High School, and Senior High school within Abington School District have recently undergone a series of renovations and rebuilding, resulting in more up-to-date and sophisticated structures.

Penn State opened the Ogontz Campus in 1950, which was renamed to Penn State Abington.[4]

Notable people

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
  1. 1 2 "Township of Abington". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Abington Township Website". Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  3. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 20 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Abington". Encyclopedia Britannica. I: A-ak Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
  5. 1 2 Shaffer, Helen L. (April 1976). "A Tour of Old Abington, Bicentennial Edition" (PDF). Abington Civic Club. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
  6. ↑ Edward W. Hocker; et al. (1956). "A History of the Abington Township" (PDF). The Board of Commissioners of the Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  7. ↑ Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  8. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Abington, PA (19001)". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  10. ↑ Census 2010: Pennsylvania. Usatoday.Com. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
  11. ↑ Madonna, GT; Young, M (June 30, 2004). "Pennsylvania's Crystal Ball". Politically Uncorrected Column. Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Politics & Public Affairs. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  12. ↑ Township of Abington CAFR
  13. ↑ "Abington Memorial Hospital Home Page". Archived from the original on 21 October 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2005.; "Abington Community Information (showing map with location of Abington Memorial Hospital)". Retrieved 15 October 2005.
  14. ↑ Kenny Vasoli
  15. ↑ Scout.com: Shawn Wooden Profile. Hou.scout.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
Preceded by
Cheltenham		 Bordering communities
of Philadelphia
With: Rockledge		 Succeeded by
Lower Moreland
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
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