Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Exeter Township is a township in Berks County
, Pennsylvania
, United States. The population was 25,550 as of the 2010 Census, making it the third most populous municipality in Berks County after the city of Reading
and Spring Township
. Daniel Boone Homestead
is within its borders. Betsy King
, the famous female golfer, grew up here. This formerly rural township is now made up of mostly sprawl-oriented developments along Route 422(Perkiomen Avenue) and Route 562 (St. Lawerence Avenue/Boyertown Pike). Its school district also contains the adjacent borough of Saint Lawrence.
, the township has a total area of 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²), of which, 24.4 square miles (63.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.77%) is water.
Adjacent townships and boroughs
in Devon
, England. Numerous other places
have also been given the name Exeter.
Swedes, relocating from the Philadelphia and Delaware River areas, settled in what is now Amity Township.
In 1712, Isaac DeTurk moved from Esopus, New York to Oley and began a settlement there.
It was a mix of French Hugenots, Germans Quakers and Swiss. In 1740, they petitioned Philadelphia County for Oley to become its own Township.
Exeter Township was founded December 7, 1741.
Previously considered part of Oley Township, the area's residents petitioned Philadelphia County to become a separate Township six months after the establishment of Oley.
The petitioners were: James Boone, Benjamin Boone, John Boone, Squire Boone, John Hughes, William Hughes, Francis Yarnell, Peter Yarnell, Michael Warren, Peter Huyett, Peter Higo, Ezekiel Mathias, Roger Rogers, Joseph Brown, Jacob Vetter, and Ellis Hughes.
These petitioners represent our Quaker background, and mostly resided in the area around the Quaker Meetinghouse and the Monocacy and Limekiln creeks.
The actual name of the Township, "Exeter", is generally credited to the George Boone family.
That family was from a town called Bradninch, England, just outside the town of Exeter.
Many similarities still exist between the two cities, among them being the geography, soil type, and proximity to a town called St. Lawrence.
Of course there's Daniel Boone as well, who we know grew up in Exeter and went on to become famous in his journeys from Kentucky to Missouri.
Another important name is Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather Mordecai had a homestead that is still standing along Heister's creek.
And the Route 422 Bypass to King of Prussia was completed in the 1980s.
All of these things lead us up to what Exeter Township is today, a thriving community of over 21,000 people.
of 2000, there were 21,161 people, 7,934 households, and 6,061 families residing in the township. The population density
was 867.6 people per square mile (335.0/km²). There were 8,208 housing units at an average density of 336.5/sq mi (129.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.37% White, 2.05% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.
There were 7,934 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $56,956, and the median income for a family was $65,061. Males had a median income of $46,067 versus $31,149 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $25,071. About 2.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
, 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. The population was 25,550 as of the 2010 Census, making it the third most populous municipality in Berks County after the city of Reading
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
and Spring Township
Spring Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Spring Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 27,119 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous municipality in Berks County outside the city of Reading.-Geography:...
. Daniel Boone Homestead
Daniel Boone Homestead
The Daniel Boone Homestead, the birthplace of American frontiersman Daniel Boone, is a museum that is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission near Birdsboro, Berks County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is located on nearly and is the largest site administered by...
is within its borders. Betsy King
Betsy King
Betsy King is an American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1977 and won six major championships and 34 LPGA Tour victories in all.-Career:...
, the famous female golfer, grew up here. This formerly rural township is now made up of mostly sprawl-oriented developments along Route 422(Perkiomen Avenue) and Route 562 (St. Lawerence Avenue/Boyertown Pike). Its school district also contains the adjacent borough of Saint Lawrence.
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 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²), of which, 24.4 square miles (63.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.77%) is water.
Adjacent townships and boroughs
- Lower Alsace Township (west)
- Alsace Township (north)
- Oley Township (northeast)
- Amity TownshipAmity Township, Berks County, PennsylvaniaAmity Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,867 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimate put the population at 11,067...
(east) - Robeson Township (south)
- Cumru Township (southwest)
- St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence, PennsylvaniaSt. Lawrence is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,812 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Lawrence is located at ....
(west) - BirdsboroBirdsboro, PennsylvaniaBirdsboro is a borough along the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pennsylvania, eight miles southeast of Reading. In the past, Birdsboro was noted for its large foundries and machine shops, none of which remain in operation today.-History:...
(southeast)
Attractions
- Shopping centerShopping mallA shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
: Exeter Commons - Fitness centersHealth clubA health club is a place which houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise.-Main workout area:...
: Gold's Gym and Vahalla
History
The name Exeter derives from the town of ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England. Numerous other places
Exeter (disambiguation)
-Place names:Australia*Exeter, New South Wales*Exeter, South Australia*Exeter, TasmaniaCanada*Exeter, OntarioUnited Kingdom*Exeter, Devon—the original location**Exeter **The University of ExeterUnited States of America...
have also been given the name Exeter.
Origin
The year 1701 is believed to be the year that Berks County was first settled.Swedes, relocating from the Philadelphia and Delaware River areas, settled in what is now Amity Township.
In 1712, Isaac DeTurk moved from Esopus, New York to Oley and began a settlement there.
It was a mix of French Hugenots, Germans Quakers and Swiss. In 1740, they petitioned Philadelphia County for Oley to become its own Township.
Exeter Township was founded December 7, 1741.
Previously considered part of Oley Township, the area's residents petitioned Philadelphia County to become a separate Township six months after the establishment of Oley.
The petitioners were: James Boone, Benjamin Boone, John Boone, Squire Boone, John Hughes, William Hughes, Francis Yarnell, Peter Yarnell, Michael Warren, Peter Huyett, Peter Higo, Ezekiel Mathias, Roger Rogers, Joseph Brown, Jacob Vetter, and Ellis Hughes.
These petitioners represent our Quaker background, and mostly resided in the area around the Quaker Meetinghouse and the Monocacy and Limekiln creeks.
The actual name of the Township, "Exeter", is generally credited to the George Boone family.
That family was from a town called Bradninch, England, just outside the town of Exeter.
Many similarities still exist between the two cities, among them being the geography, soil type, and proximity to a town called St. Lawrence.
Early Residents and Communities
The first community created in Exeter was called Snydersville. It was populated mostly by relatives of Hans Schneider from the Limekiln area. It contained stores, schools, mills, and even a hotel. Some of the other communities that developed early were: Baumstown, Black Bear, Jacksonwald, St. Lawrence, Stonersville, Stonetown, Lorane, and Neversink Station. George Boone and family were one of the most influential families in Exeter. At one time they owned over 1000 acres (4 km²) of land in the Township and were among the petitioners to form the Township.Of course there's Daniel Boone as well, who we know grew up in Exeter and went on to become famous in his journeys from Kentucky to Missouri.
Another important name is Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather Mordecai had a homestead that is still standing along Heister's creek.
Growth
Through the 19th and 20th centuries, Exeter began to grow due to the need for connections, between the city of Reading, Oley, Boyertown, Birdsboro, and King of Prussia. Trolley lines pushed through the Township, in the Farming Ridge area on its way to Boyertown and in the Reiffton area headed towards Birdsboro. Suburban sprawl got going post WWII to boost Exeter's population.And the Route 422 Bypass to King of Prussia was completed in the 1980s.
All of these things lead us up to what Exeter Township is today, a thriving community of over 21,000 people.
School District
Exeter's school district is made up of three K-4 grades elementary schools: Lorane, Lausch, and Jacksonwald; one 5-6 grades middle school: Reiffton; one 7-8 grades junior high: Exeter Junior High School; and one 9-12 grade senior high: Exeter High School. The high school is among the best in Berks County. There is a district website: http://www.exeter.k12.pa.us A new Elementary School is being developed also, the District's fourth, named Owatin Creek Elementary School. Construction on the new school was completed in the fall of 2011.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 21,161 people, 7,934 households, and 6,061 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 867.6 people per square mile (335.0/km²). There were 8,208 housing units at an average density of 336.5/sq mi (129.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.37% White, 2.05% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.55% 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 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.
There were 7,934 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% 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, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $56,956, and the median income for a family was $65,061. Males had a median income of $46,067 versus $31,149 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 $25,071. About 2.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.