Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Upper Dublin Township is a township in Montgomery County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 25,569 at the 2010 census.
Upper Dublin is made up of several community areas, many of which are unincorporated areas in Montgomery County with no legal status, and are used primarily by the US Postal Service. These community areas are portions of Abington
(19001), Ambler (19002) (excluding the Borough of Ambler
), Ardsley
(19038), Dresher
(19025), Fort Washington
(19034), Jarrettown
(19025), Maple Glen
(19002), North Hills
(19038), Oreland
(19075) and Willow Grove
(19090).
land by William Penn
in the Province of Pennsylvania
and named it "Upper and Lower Dublin." Lower Dublin
was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia
following the passage of the Act of Consolidation
in 1854. The "upper" portion has continued to exist around the original survey for the laying out and naming of Susquehanna Road. Upper Dublin Township was established in 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all townships in the Commonwealth. It was first settled in 1698, and incorporated in 1719. The township was granted its current status of First Class Township in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on January 1, 1946. Originally the area started as a farming community with additional activity in the mining of limestone. Limekiln Pike today continues to be an important travel artery.
of the American Revolutionary War
, George Washington
and the Continental Army
were encamped here after their October 4, 1777 defeat at the Battle of Germantown
, and immediately prior to their march to Valley Forge
. From December 5–8, 1777, the Battle of White Marsh
was fought here between British and American forces. Throughout the encampment, Washington was headquartered at the Emlen House, built by Quaker George Emlen in 1745. British commander General William Howe
observed the American lines from the belltower of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (at Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road), site of the British encampment on December 5. Fort Washington State Park
, in neighboring Whitemarsh Township
, contains the area in which the primary American defenses were situated.
, the Township has a total area of 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²), of which, 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.15%) is water.
As of the 2010 census
, there were 25,569 people, 9,397 households, and 7,214 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,966 people per square mile (758.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township 83.0% White, 6.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.5% Asian, and 1.3% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA.
There were 9,397 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples
living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the Township the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 19, 3.9% from 20 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males.
As of the 2000 census
, the median income for a household in the township was $80,093, and the median income for a family was $91,418 (these figures had risen to $106,337 and $123,030 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $68,353 versus $39,152 for females. The per capita income
for the Township was $37,994. About 2.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
The ten most common ancestries of residents are Irish (21.3%), German (19.0%), Italian (14.2%), English (10.2%), Russian (8.7%), Asian (6.2%), Polish (6.0%), African American (5.4%) United States or American (4.0%), and French (2.0%).
The most common languages spoken at home after English (88.6%) are Korean (3.1%), Italian (1.7%), Chinese (1.5%), Spanish or Spanish Creole (1.0%), German (0.7%), and French (0.6%).
, AccuWeather
, Eastern National
, Genworth Financial
, a suburban campus of Temple University
, a campus of Gwynedd-Mercy College
and a campus of DeVry University
. It also contains the corporate headquarters of Johnson & Johnson
division McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, marketers of over-the-counter
and prescription
pharmaceuticals including Tylenol
(acetaminophen) and Motrin IB (ibuprofen
) products. Their building is based on a 110 acre (450,000 m²) site and has a workforce of 2,600 employees. The office park was also home to the corporate headquarters of CDNOW
, the pioneering online music retailer. In recent years, the Fort Washington Office Park has experienced a vacancy rate higher than that of other commercial/industrial parks in the region, due in some part to problems with flooding.
Upper Dublin became a Pennsylvania First Class Township
in 1946. Elected representatives (commissioner
s) serve four year terms of office
. The government is a council/manager type. There are seven commissioners, one for each ward. The commissioners from odd numbered wards stand for election in 2011, 2015, etc. and the even numbered wards in 2013, 2017 etc. A manager runs the day to day operations with his staff. There are seven departments: Administration
, Finance
, Public Works
, Police
, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement
, and Fleet & Facilities. Fire protection is provided primarily by the Fort Washington Fire Company No. 1
, a volunteer fire department
.
Upper Dublin Township Legislative Map
(6-8) and one high school
(9-12) which are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
. The professional staff has an average of 16 years teaching experience and approximately 85 percent hold advanced degrees.
The four elementary schools are Fort Washington Elementary School, Maple Glen Elementary School, Jarrettown Elementary School, and Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School; the middle school is Sandy Run Middle School, and the high school is Upper Dublin High School
. Upper Dublin High School
is considered to be one of the best-performing public schools in Pennsylvania
, with the fifth highest combined score average on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT
) in the state. The high school has been recognized three times by the United States Department of Education
as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
The Township is also home to a number of private schools and the following universities: Temple University
Ambler and Fort Washington campuses, DeVry University
Fort Washington campus and Gwynedd Mercy College Fort Washington campus.
.
In 2006, the Board of Commissioners adopted an extensive Open Space & Environmental Resources Protection Plan that guides local acquisition, development and protection efforts to the year 2020.
Upper Dublin is also home to three golf courses. Manufacturers Golf & Country Club is nestled on historic Camp Hill and is nationally known. Lu Lu Country Club is located in the South Eastern section of the Township bordering Abington. The Township owns Twining Valley Golf Club operated by Links Management.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
, 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 25,569 at the 2010 census.
Upper Dublin is made up of several community areas, many of which are unincorporated areas in Montgomery County with no legal status, and are used primarily by the US Postal Service. These community areas are portions of Abington
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 55,310 in as of the 2010 census.Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's...
(19001), Ambler (19002) (excluding the Borough of Ambler
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Ambler is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States, approximately 16 miles north of Philadelphia.- Village of Wissahickon:...
), Ardsley
Ardsley, Pennsylvania
Ardsley is an unincorporated community located in Abington Township, as well as Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It shares the zip code 19038 with the neighboring town of Glenside. A large portion of this neighborhood is composed of the historic cemeteries...
(19038), Dresher
Dresher, Pennsylvania
Dresher is a community in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 5,610 at the 2000 census. Because Dresher is neither an incorporated area nor a census-designated place, all statistics are for the ZIP code 19025, with which the community is coterminous.-Geography:According to...
(19025), Fort Washington
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Fort Washington is an unincorporated census-designated place and suburb of Philadelphia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,446 at the 2010 census.-Prior to the Revolutionary War:...
(19034), Jarrettown
Jarrettown, Pennsylvania
Jarrettown is an unincorporated community located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The community is in Upper Dublin Township, east of the Borough of Ambler and southwest of Horsham....
(19025), Maple Glen
Maple Glen, Pennsylvania
Maple Glen is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,742 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Maple Glen is located at ....
(19002), North Hills
North Hills, Pennsylvania
North Hills is an unincorporated community in Abington, Springfield, and Upper Dublin townships in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is served by the 19038 zip code. It is a lesser developed town than their neighbor, Glenside. It has a rail station on the SEPTA Lansdale/Doylestown...
(19038), Oreland
Oreland, Pennsylvania
Oreland is a United States census-designated place in Springfield and Upper Dublin townships, just outside of the Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy areas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
(19075) and Willow Grove
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Willow Grove is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township...
(19090).
Founding
Upper Dublin dates back to 1684, when Edward Tanner was grantedLand grant
A land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
land by William Penn
William 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...
in the Province of Pennsylvania
Province of Pennsylvania
The Province of Pennsylvania, also known as Pennsylvania Colony, was founded in British America by William Penn on March 4, 1681 as dictated in a royal charter granted by King Charles II...
and named it "Upper and Lower Dublin." Lower Dublin
Lower Dublin Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Dublin Township, also known as Dublin Township, is a defunct township that was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The township ceased to exist and was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia following the passage of the Act of Consolidation, 1854.-History:Commonly called Lower...
was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
following the passage of the Act of Consolidation
Act of Consolidation, 1854
The Act of Consolidation, more formally known as the act of February 2, 1854 , was enacted by General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and approved February 2, 1854 by Governor William Bigler...
in 1854. The "upper" portion has continued to exist around the original survey for the laying out and naming of Susquehanna Road. Upper Dublin Township was established in 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all townships in the Commonwealth. It was first settled in 1698, and incorporated in 1719. The township was granted its current status of First Class Township in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on January 1, 1946. Originally the area started as a farming community with additional activity in the mining of limestone. Limekiln Pike today continues to be an important travel artery.
American Revolutionary War
During the Philadelphia campaignPhiladelphia campaign
The Philadelphia campaign was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress...
of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
were encamped here after their October 4, 1777 defeat at the Battle of Germantown
Battle of Germantown
The Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania between the British army led by Sir William Howe and the American army under George Washington...
, and immediately prior to their march to Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
. From December 5–8, 1777, the Battle of White Marsh
Battle of White Marsh
The Battle of White Marsh or Battle of Edge Hill was a battle of the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought December 5–8, 1777, in the area surrounding Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania...
was fought here between British and American forces. Throughout the encampment, Washington was headquartered at the Emlen House, built by Quaker George Emlen in 1745. British commander General William Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence...
observed the American lines from the belltower of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (at Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road), site of the British encampment on December 5. Fort Washington State Park
Fort Washington State Park
Fort Washington State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is noted for the springtime flowering of dogwood trees, and is popular with families for picnics and hiking...
, in neighboring Whitemarsh Township
Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania
Whitemarsh Township is a Home Rule Municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. However, it maintains its former classification of "Township" in its official name. The population was 17,349 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, contains the area in which the primary American defenses were situated.
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 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²), of which, 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.15%) is water.
Demographics
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...
, there were 25,569 people, 9,397 households, and 7,214 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 1,966 people per square mile (758.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township 83.0% White, 6.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.5% Asian, and 1.3% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA.
There were 9,397 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% 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, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the Township the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 19, 3.9% from 20 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males.
As of the 2000 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...
, the median income for a household in the township was $80,093, and the median income for a family was $91,418 (these figures had risen to $106,337 and $123,030 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $68,353 versus $39,152 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 $37,994. About 2.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
The ten most common ancestries of residents are Irish (21.3%), German (19.0%), Italian (14.2%), English (10.2%), Russian (8.7%), Asian (6.2%), Polish (6.0%), African American (5.4%) United States or American (4.0%), and French (2.0%).
The most common languages spoken at home after English (88.6%) are Korean (3.1%), Italian (1.7%), Chinese (1.5%), Spanish or Spanish Creole (1.0%), German (0.7%), and French (0.6%).
Notable residents
- Kim GallagherKim GallagherKim Ann Gallagher was an American track & field Olympian, who participated in two Summer Olympics...
- U.S. Track OlympianOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate... - Suzy KolberSuzy KolberSuzanne Lisa "Suzy" Kolber is a football sideline reporter, co-producer, and sportscaster for ESPN. She was one of the original anchors of ESPN2 when it launched in 1993. Three years later, she left ESPN2 to join Fox Sports, but rejoined ESPN in late 1999....
- ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
Anchor & Reporter - John TartagliaJohn TartagliaJohn Nicholas Tartaglia is an American singer, actor, dancer, puppeteer.Tartaglia was born in Maple Shade, New Jersey, U.S.. He joined Sesame Street's puppetry team at the age of 16 part-time, performing as a right hand and many minor characters, including Phoebe and being the backup for Kevin...
- Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominee for Avenue QAvenue QAvenue Q is a musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty and the show was directed by Jason Moore and produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, and Jeffrey Seller...
and star of Disney ChannelDisney ChannelDisney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
's Johnny and the SpritesJohnny and the SpritesJohnny and the Sprites is a musical television show aimed for preschoolers that airs every weekend on the "Playhouse Disney" program of The Disney Channel. The show was created for, is produced by, and stars John Tartaglia . The show's theme song was written by Stephen Schwartz...
. - Tammi TerrellTammi TerrellThomasina Winifred Montgomery, known as Tammi Terrell was an American singer-songwriter most notable for her association with Motown and her duets with Marvin Gaye. As a teenager she recorded for the Scepter–Wand, Try Me and Checker record labels. She signed with Motown in April 1965 and enjoyed...
- Singer - Mark V. WileyMark V. WileyMark V. Wiley is a holistic health consultant and martial arts instructor who is also an author, historian and editor of various publication dealing with the martial arts...
- Author of 9 books on health and martial arts; 6x hall of fame nominee
Fort Washington Office Park
The primary center of business and industry in the Township is the Fort Washington Office Park, which occupies 536 acres (2.2 km²) and contains six million square feet (560,000 m²) of building space. There are more than 65 buildings of various sizes up to 658,535 square feet (61,000 m²). The park contains the offices of over one-hundred different companies, including AetnaAetna
Aetna, Inc. is an American health insurance company, providing a range of traditional and consumer directed health care insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care, and disability plans, and medical management...
, AccuWeather
AccuWeather
AccuWeather is an American media company that provides for-profit weather forecasting services worldwide.AccuWeather was founded in 1962 by Joel N. Myers, then a Penn State graduate student working on degrees in meteorology. His first customer was a gas company in Pennsylvania. While running the...
, Eastern National
Eastern National
Eastern National is a non-profit organization based in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, that partners with the National Park Service in the United States...
, Genworth Financial
Genworth Financial
Genworth Financial is a Fortune 500 global financial security company that specializes in life and long term care insurance, wealth management, mortgage insurance, lifestyle protection insurance and annuities...
, a suburban campus of Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, a campus of Gwynedd-Mercy College
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Gwynedd-Mercy College is an independent, co-educational institution located in Gwynedd Valley of Lower Gwynedd Township, PA, northwest of downtown Philadelphia. Founded in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy as a junior college, Gwynedd-Mercy College was rechartered in 1963 as baccalaureate institution...
and a campus of DeVry University
DeVry University
DeVry University and DeVry Institute of Technology are divisions of DeVry Inc , a proprietary, for-profit higher education organization that is also the parent organization for Keller Graduate School of Management, Ross University, American University of the Caribbean, Apollo College, Western...
. It also contains the corporate headquarters of Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
division McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, marketers of over-the-counter
Over-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
and prescription
Prescription drug
A prescription medication is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a medical prescription before it can be obtained. The term is used to distinguish it from over-the-counter drugs which can be obtained without a prescription...
pharmaceuticals including Tylenol
Tylenol
Tylenol is a North American brand of drugs advertised for reducing pain, reducing fever, and relieving the symptoms of allergies, cold, cough, and flu. The active ingredient of its original, flagship product, paracetamol , is marketed as an analgesic and antipyretic...
(acetaminophen) and Motrin IB (ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
) products. Their building is based on a 110 acre (450,000 m²) site and has a workforce of 2,600 employees. The office park was also home to the corporate headquarters of CDNOW
CDNOW
CDNOW.com was an online retailer. The company was founded in February 1994 by twin brothers Jason Olim and Matthew Olim of Ambler, Pennsylvania...
, the pioneering online music retailer. In recent years, the Fort Washington Office Park has experienced a vacancy rate higher than that of other commercial/industrial parks in the region, due in some part to problems with flooding.
Fort Washington Expo Center
The Fort Washington Office Park was also home to the Fort Washington Expo Center. Opened in 1993, the Expo Center had hosted some of the region's biggest consumer and trade shows, and at 290000 square feet (26,941.9 m²), was the largest such suburban venue in the northeastern United States. The Expo Center closed in 2006, after the building was sold to owners who converted the property to office space. GMAC Mortgage is the major tenant at the property.Government
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 38.1% 6,106 | 61.3% 9,836 |
| 2004 | 43.0% 6,589 | 56.8% 8,704 |
| 2000 | 41.8% 5,827 | 56.0% 7,810 |
| 1996 | 41.6% 5,179 | 50.8% 6,329 |
| 1992 | 40.9% 5,423 | 43.0% 5,696 |
Upper Dublin became a Pennsylvania First Class Township
Township (Pennsylvania)
A township in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a state of the United States of America, is one of four types of municipalities in the state . Townships were established based on convenient geographical boundaries and vary in size from six to forty square miles...
in 1946. Elected representatives (commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
s) serve four year terms of office
Term of office
Term of office or term in office refers to the length of time a person serves in a particular office.-Prime Minister:In the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister has no term limits...
. The government is a council/manager type. There are seven commissioners, one for each ward. The commissioners from odd numbered wards stand for election in 2011, 2015, etc. and the even numbered wards in 2013, 2017 etc. A manager runs the day to day operations with his staff. There are seven departments: Administration
Administration (government)
The term administration, as used in the context of government, differs according to jurisdiction.-United States:In United States usage, the term refers to the executive branch under a specific president , for example: the "Barack Obama administration." It can also mean an executive branch agency...
, Finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
, 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...
, Police
Upper Dublin Police Department
The Upper Dublin Police Department is a First Class Civil Service Criminal Justice System that operates under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its statutes and is located in Montgomery County. The department operates within a 13 square mile area that includes the Census-designated place Fort...
, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement
Code enforcement, sometimes encompassing law enforcement, is the act of enforcing a set of rules, principles, or laws and insuring observance of a system of norms or customs. An authority usually enforces a civil code, a set of rules, or a body of laws and compel those subject to their authority...
, and Fleet & Facilities. Fire protection is provided primarily by the Fort Washington Fire Company No. 1
Fort Washington Fire Company
Fort Washington Fire Company is a fire company in Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania. The company, which was formed in January 1908, celebrated its hundredth anniversary in 2008. It receives 600 to 700 fire calls per year.-History:...
, a volunteer fire department
Volunteer fire department
See also the Firefighter article and its respective sections regarding VFDs in other countries.A volunteer fire department is a fire department composed of volunteers who perform fire suppression and other related emergency services for a local jurisdiction.The first organized force of...
.
Board of Commissioners
- Ward 1: Robert J. Pesavento, President
- Ward 2: Sharon L. Damsker
- Ward 3: Chester H. Derr, III
- Ward 4: Ira S. Tackel, Vice President
- Ward 5: Rebecca A. Gushue
- Ward 6: Ronald P. Feldman
- Ward 7: Stanley J. Ropski
Upper Dublin Township Legislative Map
Township Staff
- Township Manager: Paul Leonard
- Finance Director: Jonathan Bleemer
- Township Engineer: Jeff Wert
- Township Solicitor: Gil High
- Code Enforcement Director: Richard Barton
- Library Director: Cherilyn Fiory
- Parks & Recreation Director: Derek Dureka
- Police Chief: Terrence Thompson
- Public Works Operations Director: Daniel Supplee
- Director of Fire Services: Greg Breyer
Education
There are four elementary schools (K-5), one middle schoolMiddle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(6-8) and one high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(9-12) which are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
. The professional staff has an average of 16 years teaching experience and approximately 85 percent hold advanced degrees.
The four elementary schools are Fort Washington Elementary School, Maple Glen Elementary School, Jarrettown Elementary School, and Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School; the middle school is Sandy Run Middle School, and the high school is Upper Dublin High School
Upper Dublin High School
Upper Dublin High School is a four-year public high school located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the sole high school in the Upper Dublin School District....
. Upper Dublin High School
Upper Dublin High School
Upper Dublin High School is a four-year public high school located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the sole high school in the Upper Dublin School District....
is considered to be one of the best-performing public schools in 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...
, with the fifth highest combined score average on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT
SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
) in the state. The high school has been recognized three times by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
The Township is also home to a number of private schools and the following universities: Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
Ambler and Fort Washington campuses, DeVry University
DeVry University
DeVry University and DeVry Institute of Technology are divisions of DeVry Inc , a proprietary, for-profit higher education organization that is also the parent organization for Keller Graduate School of Management, Ross University, American University of the Caribbean, Apollo College, Western...
Fort Washington campus and Gwynedd Mercy College Fort Washington campus.
Parks and Recreation
Upper Dublin has more than 40 sites and 600 acres (2.4 km²) of parkland and open space ranging in size from neighborhood squares to sprawling meadow-like areas. There are natural resource areas as well as active recreation sites with varying amenities including tennis courts, play lots, jogging/exercise trails, picnic pavilions, playing fields, basketball courts and sand volleyball courts. In 2005, the Township opened MonDaug Bark Park, with wooded trails as well as a 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) fenced, off-leash dog parkDog park
A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners...
.
In 2006, the Board of Commissioners adopted an extensive Open Space & Environmental Resources Protection Plan that guides local acquisition, development and protection efforts to the year 2020.
Upper Dublin is also home to three golf courses. Manufacturers Golf & Country Club is nestled on historic Camp Hill and is nationally known. Lu Lu Country Club is located in the South Eastern section of the Township bordering Abington. The Township owns Twining Valley Golf Club operated by Links Management.