Susquehanna Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Susquehanna Township is a township in Lycoming County
, Pennsylvania
, in the United States. The population was 993 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport
, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.
. It was formed from parts of Nippensoe and Armstrong Townships
.
Susquehanna Township was first surveyed
in 1769. The surveyors named it "Upper Bottom" to distinguish from a piece of land further to the east that was named "Lower Bottom", present day Duboistown
and South Williamsport
. The first settlers arrived in 1801 and cleared the alluvial plain
near the West Branch Susquehanna River
and began farming. The village of Nisbet, a collection of about a dozen homes, rose up around the railroad station of the same name. Two grist mills and a small textile
mill were built on Mill Run during the early days of Susquehanna Township.
Susquehanna Township has grown somewhat since it was founded. The village of Nisbet underwent an expansion during the 1950s and 1960s and now serves as a bedroom community for Williamsport
and Jersey Shore
. Much of the land on the alluvial plain is still farmed. Farmers rent out small portions of their property for the docking of recreational boats on the West Branch Susquehanna River.
to the east, Bastress Township to the south and Nippenose Township to the west. As the crow flies
, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 7.8 square miles (20.2 km²).7.1 square miles (18.4 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (8.72%) is water.
of 2000, there were 993 people, 400 households, and 312 families residing in the township. The population density
was 139.5 people per square mile (53.8/km²). There were 431 housing units at an average density of 60.5/sq mi (23.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.09% White, 0.10% African American, 0.20% Native American, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 400 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples
living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the township the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $36,806, and the median income for a family was $43,229. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $22,446 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $20,456. About 5.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
-Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau:Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau in the north and east, and the valley of the West Branch Susquehanna River between these.-West Branch Susquehanna River:The West Branch of the...
, 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...
, in the United States. The population was 993 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Susquehanna Township was established during the December 1838 sessions of the Pennsylvania General AssemblyPennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. It was formed from parts of Nippensoe and Armstrong Townships
Armstrong Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Armstrong Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 717 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
Susquehanna Township was first surveyed
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
in 1769. The surveyors named it "Upper Bottom" to distinguish from a piece of land further to the east that was named "Lower Bottom", present day Duboistown
Duboistown, Pennsylvania
Duboistown is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,280 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
and South Williamsport
South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
South Williamsport is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,412 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. The first settlers arrived in 1801 and cleared the alluvial plain
Alluvial plain
An alluvial plain is a relatively flat landform created by the deposition of sediment over a long period of time by one or more rivers coming from highland regions, from which alluvial soil forms...
near the West Branch Susquehanna River
West Branch Susquehanna River
The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch...
and began farming. The village of Nisbet, a collection of about a dozen homes, rose up around the railroad station of the same name. Two grist mills and a small textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
mill were built on Mill Run during the early days of Susquehanna Township.
Susquehanna Township has grown somewhat since it was founded. The village of Nisbet underwent an expansion during the 1950s and 1960s and now serves as a bedroom community for Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
and Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
Jersey Shore is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is on the West Branch Susquehanna River, west by south of Williamsport. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the past, Jersey Shore held farms, railroad shops, cigar factories, a...
. Much of the land on the alluvial plain is still farmed. Farmers rent out small portions of their property for the docking of recreational boats on the West Branch Susquehanna River.
Geography
Susquehanna Township is bordered by the West Branch Susquehanna River to the north, Armstrong TownshipArmstrong Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Armstrong Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 717 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
to the east, Bastress Township to the south and Nippenose Township to the west. As the crow flies
As the crow flies
"As the crow flies" or beelining is an idiom for the shortest route between two points; the geodesic distance.An example is the great-circle distance between Key West and Pensacola, at either end of the U.S...
, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 7.8 square miles (20.2 km²).7.1 square miles (18.4 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (8.72%) is water.
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 993 people, 400 households, and 312 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 139.5 people per square mile (53.8/km²). There were 431 housing units at an average density of 60.5/sq mi (23.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.09% White, 0.10% African American, 0.20% Native American, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.
There were 400 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% 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, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the township the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $36,806, and the median income for a family was $43,229. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $22,446 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 $20,456. About 5.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.
See also
For histories of the other townships in Lycoming County see- History of the Townships of Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaHistory of the Townships of Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaLycoming County was formed from Northumberland County on April 13, 1795. At the time it was formed the county was much larger than it is today. It took up most of the land that is now north central Pennsylvania....