Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Derry Township is a township in Dauphin County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 21,273 at the 2000 census. Hershey
, Pennsylvania
, the site of the well-known Hershey's chocolate factory
and its affiliated amusement park
, are also located within the township. Derry Township is home to one of the largest non-metropolitan Public Works
in Pennsylvania.
It was named after the city of Derry
in Northern Ireland
.
. The first official government in Derry Township was established in 1759. Five officials were elected for one-year terms. The number of elected officials in Derry remains five, however the terms are six years.
Derry became a part of Dauphin County when it was established in 1785. In 1787, the population of Derry Township was 198. The most recent census records the population as 21,273.
The Derry Session House and Enclosure
and Quarries of the Hummelstown Brownstone Company
are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, the township has a total area of 27.3 square miles (70.7 km²), of which, 27.1 square miles (70.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.66%) is water.
Unincorporated communities and census designated places in Derry Township.
of 2000, there were 21,273 people, 8,861 households, and 5,688 families residing in the township. The population density
was 784.0 people per square mile (302.7/km²). There were 9,481 housing units at an average density of 349.4/sq mi (134.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.65% White, 1.67% African American, 0.07% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 8,861 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $52,290, and the median income for a family was $68,838. Males had a median income of $48,510 versus $32,430 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $31,365. About 2.8% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
Derry Township has its own Public Works department; public library, the Hershey Public Library
; and its own police force, The Derry Township Police
Department. Derry Township is also home to HERCO
and HersheyPark
.
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 21,273 at the 2000 census. Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, the site of the well-known Hershey's chocolate factory
The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company, known until April 2005 as the Hershey Foods Corporation and commonly called Hershey's, is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America. Its headquarters are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is also home to Hershey's Chocolate World. It was founded by Milton S...
and its affiliated amusement park
Hersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, near the Hershey Chocolate Factory.Hersheypark was opened on April 24, 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the...
, are also located within the township. Derry Township is home to one of the largest non-metropolitan Public Works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
in Pennsylvania.
It was named after the city of Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
History
The Township of Derry was incorporated on August 1, 1729, when Lancaster County divided the territory for tax purposes. At that time, the boundaries of Derry Township were much larger and included what are currently three other townships within Lancaster and Dauphin County. The western portion became Derry Township and the eastern portion became Londonderry Township, PennsylvaniaLondonderry Township, Pennsylvania
Londonderry Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania*Londonderry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania*Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania- See also :...
. The first official government in Derry Township was established in 1759. Five officials were elected for one-year terms. The number of elected officials in Derry remains five, however the terms are six years.
Derry became a part of Dauphin County when it was established in 1785. In 1787, the population of Derry Township was 198. The most recent census records the population as 21,273.
The Derry Session House and Enclosure
Derry Session House and Enclosure
Derry Session House and Enclosure is a historic site located on the grounds of Derry Presbyterian Church at Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It consists of the log Session House, built about 1732, and a glass enclosure, erected in 1929. The hewn log Session House measures 18 feet by...
and Quarries of the Hummelstown Brownstone Company
Hummelstown Brownstone Company
From 1863 to 1929, the Hummelstown Brownstone Company owned and operated quarries in the Hummelstown, Pennsylvania area which produced Hummelstown brownstone, once widely used as a building stone throughout the USA...
are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 27.3 square miles (70.7 km²), of which, 27.1 square miles (70.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.66%) is water.
Unincorporated communities and census designated places in Derry Township.
- HersheyHershey, PennsylvaniaHershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 21,273 people, 8,861 households, and 5,688 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 784.0 people per square mile (302.7/km²). There were 9,481 housing units at an average density of 349.4/sq mi (134.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.65% White, 1.67% African American, 0.07% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 8,861 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $52,290, and the median income for a family was $68,838. Males had a median income of $48,510 versus $32,430 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $31,365. About 2.8% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
Derry Township has its own Public Works department; public library, the Hershey Public Library
Hershey Public Library
The Hershey Public Library is a full-service public library located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Its mission is to promote and support reading, literacy, and lifelong learning.The facility features over 102,000 books, DVDs, CDs, and more...
; and its own police force, The Derry Township Police
Derry Township Police
The Derry Township Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in Derry Township, PA, more commonly referred to as Hershey, PA. The department was created on July 1, 1966 by the Derry Township Board of Supervisors. The department is currently made up of 35 sworn police officers,...
Department. Derry Township is also home to HERCO
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts , also known as "HERCO", is a privately owned company of the Hershey Trust Company.- History :The company was originally founded by Milton S...
and HersheyPark
Hersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, near the Hershey Chocolate Factory.Hersheypark was opened on April 24, 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the...
.