Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Whitpain Township is a township in Montgomery County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. Founded in 1701, it has grown to a total population of 18,875 as of the 2010 census.
, the township has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), of which 0.08% is water. Whitpain Township is approximately four and a half miles by three miles. There are two watershed
s in the township, Wissahickon Creek
(which was once known as "Whitpaine's Creek") and Stony Creek.
of 2000, there were 18,562 people, 6,960 households, and 5,206 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,436.3 people per square mile (554.7/km²). There were 7,305 housing units at an average density of 565.3/sq mi (218.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 86.31% White, 4.69% African American, 0.06% Native American, 7.82% Asian, 0.23% from other races
, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 6,960 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples
living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% 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 3.10.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $88,933, and the median income for a family was $103,613. Males had a median income of $68,125 versus $44,079 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $41,739. About 1.7% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
’s "Holy Experiment". His 16-year old son, Zechariah, travelled to Pennsylvania on the ship Welcome with Penn in 1682 to settle his father's properties and escape persecution of his Quaker beliefs. By 1685, Zechariah had established a plantation house along Wissahickon Creek
near Mount Pleasant, with his bride Sarah Songhurst, whom he had met on the Welcome.
In Holme’s Map of 1681, Whitpain Township is called Whitpain’s Creek. By 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all the townships in the Commonwealth, it appeared in public records as Whitpain’s Township.
The borders of Whitpain Township changed dramatically in 1733, when Worcester Township was created, taking away a chunk of land. By 1734, Whitpain Township had 24 landowners. It maintained steady growth for more than two centuries, expanding from 771 people in 1800 to 3,063 people in 1950. In recent years, the township has experienced rapid growth. Today, Whitpain Township is home to over 18,000 residents.
Early settlers to Whitpain Township were farmers. Industry came to the region in 1727, when Jacob Yost began a weaving
enterprise in Centre Square. Charles Mather built an additional mill in 1804. Although a rural farming community for decades, the growth of recent years has included business development, making Whitpain Township home to several of the Philadelphia region’s largest corporations, including Aetna US Healthcare
and Unisys
.
Although today Whitpain Township is home to residents of many religions and nationalities, its earliest settlers were Protestant and Quaker. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the township had two churches: Boehm’s Reformed Church (circa 1740), and St. John’s Lutheran Church (circa 1769).
Whitpain Township earned a place in history during the Revolutionary War, when George Washington
and many of his generals spent time in the township. In fact, Dawesfield, a home on Lewis Lane, is considered the most significant historic site in the township, because it was Washington’s headquarters from October 21 to November 2, 1777.
Whitpain Township has been an independent township since 1701. However, for a brief period in 1762, Whitpain and Plymouth
townships, by act of the assembly, became one district with one supervisor from each township. Dissatisfaction by the populace of both townships dissolved the act in 1763.
, Broad Axe, Custer, Franklinville, Washington Square and Belfry.
Most of Whitpain Township is covered by the Blue Bell
, Pennsylvania
ZIP code. In recent years the name "Blue Bell" has become largely synonymous with much of the township, eclipsing many of the older community designations.
Under Pennsylvania law, Whitpain Township is a Township of the Second Class. It is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors elected at-large by the electorate. Members of the Board of Supervisors serve six year terms. Every two years, two of the seats come up for election. The exception is in the sixth year in the cycle, when only one seat comes up for election.
Most, if not all, of the executive and legislative powers allocated to Whitpain Township in the State Second Class Township Code are vested in the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is empowered to appoint professionals to assist it in the operation of the Township and to furnish advice and counsel on technical matters. Additionally, the Board appoints all the members of the various boards and commissions as well as the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Commission. Also, the Board of Supervisors hears conditional use applications in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code and the Whitpain Township Zoning Ordinance. The levying of township taxes and the appropriations to the various departments and subsidiary boards and commissions is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors. During the months of November and December, public hearings are held for the purpose of reviewing the budget for the following year.
The current membership of the Board of Supervisors (as of the election of November 2009) consists of:
The township government is located at 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
is headquartered in Blue Bell
in Whitpain Township.
provides public education to the children of Whitpain Township, as well as those from Lower Gwynedd Township
and Ambler Borough
. Within the township are three of the district's five elementary schools: Blue Bell Elementary School, Shady Grove Elementary School, and Stony Creek Elementary School. Wissahickon Middle School and Wissahickon High School are located outside of the township.
Also situated within the township is one college, Montgomery County Community College
.
(DeKalb Pike) and Pennsylvania Route 73
(Skippack Pike). The two roadways intersect in Center Square. Both roads are two-lane highways, except for the portion of US-202 which is four lanes (with additional turn lanes) in the vicinity of Blue Bell Country Club and Montgomery County Community College. Other key roads within the township include Penllyn-Blue Bell Pike and Walton Road. Butler Pike, North Wales Road, Township Line Road and Morris Road are all major roads that mainly form the boundaries of the township.
Interstate 476
(the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
) passes through the township but, as it has no interchanges within the township boundaries, is not directly accessible.
and Ambler
.
.
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...
. Founded in 1701, it has grown to a total population of 18,875 as of the 2010 census.
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 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), of which 0.08% is water. Whitpain Township is approximately four and a half miles by three miles. There are two watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
s in the township, Wissahickon Creek
Wissahickon Creek
Wissahickon Creek is a stream in southeastern Pennsylvania. Rising in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, it runs about 23 miles passing through and dividing Northwest Philadelphia before emptying into the Schuylkill River at Philadelphia...
(which was once known as "Whitpaine's Creek") and Stony Creek.
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 18,562 people, 6,960 households, and 5,206 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 1,436.3 people per square mile (554.7/km²). There were 7,305 housing units at an average density of 565.3/sq mi (218.3/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 86.31% White, 4.69% African American, 0.06% Native American, 7.82% Asian, 0.23% 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 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 6,960 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% 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, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% 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 3.10.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $88,933, and the median income for a family was $103,613. Males had a median income of $68,125 versus $44,079 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 $41,739. About 1.7% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
History
Whitpain is one of the oldest townships in Montgomery County. Richard Whitpaine, a London butcher, purchased a 4500 acres (1,821.1 ha) tract of land as part of 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...
’s "Holy Experiment". His 16-year old son, Zechariah, travelled to Pennsylvania on the ship Welcome with Penn in 1682 to settle his father's properties and escape persecution of his Quaker beliefs. By 1685, Zechariah had established a plantation house along Wissahickon Creek
Wissahickon Creek
Wissahickon Creek is a stream in southeastern Pennsylvania. Rising in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, it runs about 23 miles passing through and dividing Northwest Philadelphia before emptying into the Schuylkill River at Philadelphia...
near Mount Pleasant, with his bride Sarah Songhurst, whom he had met on the Welcome.
In Holme’s Map of 1681, Whitpain Township is called Whitpain’s Creek. By 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all the townships in the Commonwealth, it appeared in public records as Whitpain’s Township.
The borders of Whitpain Township changed dramatically in 1733, when Worcester Township was created, taking away a chunk of land. By 1734, Whitpain Township had 24 landowners. It maintained steady growth for more than two centuries, expanding from 771 people in 1800 to 3,063 people in 1950. In recent years, the township has experienced rapid growth. Today, Whitpain Township is home to over 18,000 residents.
Early settlers to Whitpain Township were farmers. Industry came to the region in 1727, when Jacob Yost began a weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
enterprise in Centre Square. Charles Mather built an additional mill in 1804. Although a rural farming community for decades, the growth of recent years has included business development, making Whitpain Township home to several of the Philadelphia region’s largest corporations, including Aetna US Healthcare
Aetna
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...
and Unisys
Unisys
Unisys Corporation , headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, United States, and incorporated in Delaware, is a long established business whose core products now involves computing and networking.-History:...
.
Although today Whitpain Township is home to residents of many religions and nationalities, its earliest settlers were Protestant and Quaker. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the township had two churches: Boehm’s Reformed Church (circa 1740), and St. John’s Lutheran Church (circa 1769).
Whitpain Township earned a place in history during the Revolutionary War, when 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 many of his generals spent time in the township. In fact, Dawesfield, a home on Lewis Lane, is considered the most significant historic site in the township, because it was Washington’s headquarters from October 21 to November 2, 1777.
Whitpain Township has been an independent township since 1701. However, for a brief period in 1762, Whitpain and Plymouth
Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania
Plymouth Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania*Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania...
townships, by act of the assembly, became one district with one supervisor from each township. Dissatisfaction by the populace of both townships dissolved the act in 1763.
Communities within Whitpain Township
Today, Whitpain Township is a composite of several small communities established before and after the Revolutionary War. They include West Ambler, Center Square, Blue BellBlue Bell, Pennsylvania
Blue Bell is a census-designated place in Whitpain Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 6,067....
, Broad Axe, Custer, Franklinville, Washington Square and Belfry.
Most of Whitpain Township is covered by the Blue Bell
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Blue Bell is a census-designated place in Whitpain Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 6,067....
, 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...
ZIP code. In recent years the name "Blue Bell" has become largely synonymous with much of the township, eclipsing many of the older community designations.
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 | 43.3% 4,855 | 56.2% 6,299 |
| 2004 | 48.4% 5,334 | 51.1% 5,631 |
| 2000 | 49.4% 4,842 | 48.6% 4,763 |
| 1996 | 49.4% 4,086 | 42.3% 3,501 |
| 1992 | 47.6% 3,953 | 35.5% 2,954 |
Under Pennsylvania law, Whitpain Township is a Township of the Second Class. It is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors elected at-large by the electorate. Members of the Board of Supervisors serve six year terms. Every two years, two of the seats come up for election. The exception is in the sixth year in the cycle, when only one seat comes up for election.
Most, if not all, of the executive and legislative powers allocated to Whitpain Township in the State Second Class Township Code are vested in the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is empowered to appoint professionals to assist it in the operation of the Township and to furnish advice and counsel on technical matters. Additionally, the Board appoints all the members of the various boards and commissions as well as the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Commission. Also, the Board of Supervisors hears conditional use applications in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code and the Whitpain Township Zoning Ordinance. The levying of township taxes and the appropriations to the various departments and subsidiary boards and commissions is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors. During the months of November and December, public hearings are held for the purpose of reviewing the budget for the following year.
The current membership of the Board of Supervisors (as of the election of November 2009) consists of:
- Joseph J. Palmer, Chairman
- Brian W. Young, Vice Chairman
- Frederick W. Conner, Treasurer
- Anthony F. Greco, Secretary
- Adam D. Zucker, Assistant Secretary
The township government is located at 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
Economy
UnisysUnisys
Unisys Corporation , headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, United States, and incorporated in Delaware, is a long established business whose core products now involves computing and networking.-History:...
is headquartered in Blue Bell
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Blue Bell is a census-designated place in Whitpain Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 6,067....
in Whitpain Township.
Education
The Wissahickon School DistrictWissahickon School District
The Wissahickon School District is a public school district in Montgomery County. The school district serves the borough of Ambler, and the townships of Lower Gwynedd and Whitpain, all Philadelphia suburbs.-District Schools:*Blue Bell Elementary School...
provides public education to the children of Whitpain Township, as well as those from Lower Gwynedd Township
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Gwynedd Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,405 at the 2010 census. The township comprises four villages: Gwynedd, Gwynedd Valley, Penllyn, and Spring House....
and Ambler Borough
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Ambler is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States, approximately 16 miles north of Philadelphia.- Village of Wissahickon:...
. Within the township are three of the district's five elementary schools: Blue Bell Elementary School, Shady Grove Elementary School, and Stony Creek Elementary School. Wissahickon Middle School and Wissahickon High School are located outside of the township.
Also situated within the township is one college, Montgomery County Community College
Montgomery County Community College
Montgomery County Community College, also known as MCCC, Montco, or MC3, is a 2-year community college offering associate degrees, technical certificates and non-credit courses to the general public...
.
Roadways
The major roadways in Whitpain Township are U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
(DeKalb Pike) and Pennsylvania Route 73
Pennsylvania Route 73
Pennsylvania Route 73 is a 62.51 miles long east–west state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. It runs from Pennsylvania Route 61 in Leesport to the New Jersey state line on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge in Philadelphia, where it continues as New Jersey Route 73.Predating the Interstate...
(Skippack Pike). The two roadways intersect in Center Square. Both roads are two-lane highways, except for the portion of US-202 which is four lanes (with additional turn lanes) in the vicinity of Blue Bell Country Club and Montgomery County Community College. Other key roads within the township include Penllyn-Blue Bell Pike and Walton Road. Butler Pike, North Wales Road, Township Line Road and Morris Road are all major roads that mainly form the boundaries of the township.
Interstate 476
Interstate 476
Interstate 476 is a auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania designated between Interstate 95 near Chester and Interstate 81 near Scranton, serving as the primary north–south Interstate corridor through eastern Pennsylvania....
(the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
) passes through the township but, as it has no interchanges within the township boundaries, is not directly accessible.
Rail
Several train lines cross the township. There are no active passenger train stations within the township borders, but several are located in neighboring municipalities, including North WalesNorth Wales, Pennsylvania
North Wales is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is one of the three historic population centers that make up the North Penn Valley...
and Ambler
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Ambler is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States, approximately 16 miles north of Philadelphia.- Village of Wissahickon:...
.
Whitpain Township Residents Association
A community association known as WhitpainResidents.org was founded in 2006 as a non-profit group with the stated goal of promoting "responsible development and preserving the quality of life in Whitpain Township." The group rose to prominence through vocal opposition to a planned hospital on grounds formerly occupied by UnisysUnisys
Unisys Corporation , headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, United States, and incorporated in Delaware, is a long established business whose core products now involves computing and networking.-History:...
.