Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Falls Township is a township in Bucks County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 34,300 at the 2010 census. Portions of Fairless Hills
and Levittown
, Pennsylvania
, are located in the township. Portions of Falls Township are mistakenly called Morrisville
, due to the location of the Morrisville Post Office outside the Borough of Morrisville.
founded Pennsylvania in 1681, including William Biles
.
Fallsington is the only settlement of this period which has been in continuous use. Fallsington is an example of a crossroads village typical of the time. The Bucks County Courthouse, established in 1663, is said to have been located in Fallsington until it was moved to Bristol
in 1705. The Friends Meeting, whose first meetings were held at the home of William Biles
on Biles Island
, found a site for a brick meeting house, built about 1690 in Fallsington on 6 acre (0.02428116 km²) of land that had been donated by Samuel Burges. Also in 1690, Thomas Janney donated 72 acre (0.29137392 km²) of land to be used as the Quaker burial grounds for Falls Monthly Meeting. William Penn donated a tract of 120 acre (0.4856232 km²), for a Falls commons. The Township itself was established in 1692. Numerous villages were located within the township, with Fallsington being the center of social and commercial activity in the township. Morrisville
was another prominent village, until it was partitioned as a borough in 1804. Tullytown
was also a village until it was partitioned as a borough in 1891. Other villages, now long gone included Tyburn, Penn Valley, Wheatsheaf, Slickville, Dogtown, Penns Manor and Oxford Valley, which was located in both Falls Township and Middletown Township
.
The growth of Fallsington continued, with the construction of homes, an inn, public buildings, stores, and small craftsmen's shops. Until the construction of Fairless Hills and Levittown, it was the largest village in the Township, and functioned for many years as a commercial center.
In 1682, William Penn began construction of his official residence, Pennsbury Manor
. The 8431 acres (34.1 km²) site in Falls Township was chosen for its easy access to Philadelphia along the Delaware River
. This island was gradually sold by Penn's heirs and the last original building was destroyed in 1864. In 1932, a small portion of the original site was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and reconstruction of Pennsbury Manor was begun. Pennsbury is now a historical site, open to the public.
The proximity of major transportation systems influenced much of the Township's development. The earliest of these was the Delaware River. The Township is located at the upper end of the navigable portion of the river. In 1686, the Provincial Council
ordered the construction of the King's Highway, which ran from Philadelphia to Trenton
along an existing Indian trail, through Bristol, Falls, and Morrisville. The King's Highway still exists today as U.S. Route 13
, flowing closely the original configuration. Additional roads and turnpikes were built through the Township in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Other transportation systems were laid out through Falls Township in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Delaware Canal from Easton
to Bristol was opened in 1832. A railroad line from Philadelphia to Trenton via Morrisville was built between 1833 and 1835. The rail line became part of Pennsylvania Railroad
's main New York-Philadelphia line. The "West Trenton" cut-off of the Pennsylvania Railroad was built through the northern part of the Township at the end of 19th century. These rail lines now accommodate SEPTA, Amtrak
, and CONRAIL passenger and freight between Philadelphia and Trenton.
, the township has a total area of 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²), of which, 22.3 square miles (57.8 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²) of it (16.11%) is water.
Falls Township contains the easternmost point of Pennsylvania's southern half.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 34,865 people, 13,170 households, and 9,403 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,565.0 people per square mile (604.2/km²). There were 13,528 housing units at an average density of 607.2/sq mi (234.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.22% White, 4.89% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.
There were 13,170 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% 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 3.15.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $50,129, and the median income for a family was $57,033. Males had a median income of $41,200 versus $30,117 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $22,376. About 3.7% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
, 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 34,300 at the 2010 census. Portions of Fairless Hills
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
Fairless Hills is a census-designated place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,466 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Levittown
Levittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level...
, 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...
, are located in the township. Portions of Falls Township are mistakenly called Morrisville
Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Morrisville is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,728 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Morrisville is located at . It is situated on the Delaware River directly across from Trenton, New Jersey...
, due to the location of the Morrisville Post Office outside the Borough of Morrisville.
History
Dutch settlements here were established as early as 1616. A number of colonists came to Falls Township before William PennWilliam Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
founded Pennsylvania in 1681, including William Biles
William Biles
William Biles was an American judge, attorney, legislator, sheriff, land speculator and merchant. Born in England and educated in law, Biles brought his family to America in 1679 and settled in what would become Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania before the charter of William Penn...
.
Fallsington is the only settlement of this period which has been in continuous use. Fallsington is an example of a crossroads village typical of the time. The Bucks County Courthouse, established in 1663, is said to have been located in Fallsington until it was moved to Bristol
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Philadelphia opposite Burlington, N.J. on the Delaware River. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in...
in 1705. The Friends Meeting, whose first meetings were held at the home of William Biles
William Biles
William Biles was an American judge, attorney, legislator, sheriff, land speculator and merchant. Born in England and educated in law, Biles brought his family to America in 1679 and settled in what would become Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania before the charter of William Penn...
on Biles Island
Biles Island
Biles Island is an island in the Delaware River in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.Now owned by USX, the 567-acre Biles Island sits in the Delaware River a half mile south of Trenton, New Jersey. Since at least 1968 it has been a dumping site for silt dredged from the river.The island...
, found a site for a brick meeting house, built about 1690 in Fallsington on 6 acre (0.02428116 km²) of land that had been donated by Samuel Burges. Also in 1690, Thomas Janney donated 72 acre (0.29137392 km²) of land to be used as the Quaker burial grounds for Falls Monthly Meeting. William Penn donated a tract of 120 acre (0.4856232 km²), for a Falls commons. The Township itself was established in 1692. Numerous villages were located within the township, with Fallsington being the center of social and commercial activity in the township. Morrisville
Morrisville
Morrisville may refer to:* Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States* Morrisville, Greene County, Pennsylvania, United States* Morrisville, Missouri, United States* Morrisville, New York, United States...
was another prominent village, until it was partitioned as a borough in 1804. Tullytown
Tullytown, Pennsylvania
Tullytown is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,872 at the 2010 census. Part of Levittown is located in Tullytown.-Geography:Tullytown is located at ....
was also a village until it was partitioned as a borough in 1891. Other villages, now long gone included Tyburn, Penn Valley, Wheatsheaf, Slickville, Dogtown, Penns Manor and Oxford Valley, which was located in both Falls Township and Middletown Township
Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Middletown Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 45,436 at the 2010 census. Many sections of Levittown, Pennsylvania, are located in the southern end of the township...
.
The growth of Fallsington continued, with the construction of homes, an inn, public buildings, stores, and small craftsmen's shops. Until the construction of Fairless Hills and Levittown, it was the largest village in the Township, and functioned for many years as a commercial center.
In 1682, William Penn began construction of his official residence, Pennsbury Manor
Pennsbury Manor
Pennsbury Manor, an estate in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was the American home of William Penn, founder and first Governor of Pennsylvania. The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1969.-History:...
. The 8431 acres (34.1 km²) site in Falls Township was chosen for its easy access to Philadelphia along the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
. This island was gradually sold by Penn's heirs and the last original building was destroyed in 1864. In 1932, a small portion of the original site was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and reconstruction of Pennsbury Manor was begun. Pennsbury is now a historical site, open to the public.
The proximity of major transportation systems influenced much of the Township's development. The earliest of these was the Delaware River. The Township is located at the upper end of the navigable portion of the river. In 1686, the Provincial Council
Pennsylvania Provincial Council
The Pennsylvania Provincial Council helped govern the Province of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1776.-References:*----...
ordered the construction of the King's Highway, which ran from Philadelphia to Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
along an existing Indian trail, through Bristol, Falls, and Morrisville. The King's Highway still exists today as U.S. Route 13
U.S. Route 13
U.S. Route 13 is a north–south U.S. highway established in 1926 that runs for from Interstate 95 just north of Fayetteville, North Carolina to the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Morrisville. In all, it traverses five states in the Atlantic coastal plain region,...
, flowing closely the original configuration. Additional roads and turnpikes were built through the Township in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Other transportation systems were laid out through Falls Township in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Delaware Canal from Easton
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
to Bristol was opened in 1832. A railroad line from Philadelphia to Trenton via Morrisville was built between 1833 and 1835. The rail line became part of Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
's main New York-Philadelphia line. The "West Trenton" cut-off of the Pennsylvania Railroad was built through the northern part of the Township at the end of 19th century. These rail lines now accommodate SEPTA, Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, and CONRAIL passenger and freight between Philadelphia and Trenton.
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 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²), of which, 22.3 square miles (57.8 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²) of it (16.11%) is water.
Falls Township contains the easternmost point of Pennsylvania's southern half.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the township was 84.1% Non-Hispanic White, 5.8% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.2% Asian, and 2.1% were two or more races. 4.4% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestryAs of the census
Census
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 34,865 people, 13,170 households, and 9,403 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 1,565.0 people per square mile (604.2/km²). There were 13,528 housing units at an average density of 607.2/sq mi (234.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.22% White, 4.89% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.77% 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 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.
There were 13,170 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% 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, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% 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 3.15.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $50,129, and the median income for a family was $57,033. Males had a median income of $41,200 versus $30,117 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 $22,376. About 3.7% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.