Fell Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Fell Township is a township in Lackawanna County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 2,178 at the 2010 census.
, the township has a total area of 15.4 square miles (39.9 km²), of which, 15.3 square miles (39.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.52%) is water. Fell township also features the Lackawanna River, Panther's Creek, and many abandoned pits from strip mining.
of 2010, there were 2,178 people, 925 households, and 586 families residing in the township. The population density
was 142.4 people per square mile (55/km²). There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 68.3/sq mi (26.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.6% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.7% from other races
, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.
There were 925 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 61% from 18 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years.
The median income for a household in the township was $31,146, and the median income for a family was $37,900. Males had a median income of $31,000 versus $22,201 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $16,260. About 7.6% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,178 at the 2010 census.
Pattern of Settlement
Fell Township's principal settlement is Simpson, which currently is home to 1,275 people, mostly middle age and elderly. Although not usually considered by the locals, the upper part of Carbondale's West Side is actually the southwestern corner of the township. This area is home a few hundred people, and is geographically separate from other settlement in Fell Township. The other two settlements in Fell Township are the middle and upper class housing community of Crystal Lake, and Richmondale, which borders the nearby borough of Vandling to the north. Richmondale is currently home to 190 people. The original house in Simpson was the Morss Mansion on Lord Avenue, built in 1887. The house inspired Hank Williams' song "Mansion on the Hill". By 1974, the mansion was empty, and title of it and the surrounding property fell in the hands of the local volunteer fire company. Due to lack of maintenance, the mansion was in disrepair by the 1990s, and despite public outcry, the mansion was tragically torn down in the summer of 1998. The land is currently vacant except for a small fire station.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 15.4 square miles (39.9 km²), of which, 15.3 square miles (39.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.52%) is water. Fell township also features the Lackawanna River, Panther's Creek, and many abandoned pits from strip mining.
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 2010, there were 2,178 people, 925 households, and 586 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 142.4 people per square mile (55/km²). There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 68.3/sq mi (26.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.6% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.7% 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 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.
There were 925 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% 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, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 61% from 18 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years.
The median income for a household in the township was $31,146, and the median income for a family was $37,900. Males had a median income of $31,000 versus $22,201 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 $16,260. About 7.6% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.