Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township | |
---|---|
EDT) | |
ZIP Codes | 19001, 19006, 19027, 19038, 19046, 19090 |
Area codes | 215, 267, and 445 |
FIPS code | 42-091-00156 |
Website | abingtonpa.gov |
Abington Township is a
Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities, dating back before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704.[7] It is home to some of the county's oldest transportation routes, industries and churches. Many of these older business and transportation centers were the forerunners of modern Abington. Abington contains the Willow Grove Park Mall, several small businesses, and a few of Montgomery County's largest employers.[2]
History
The land that comprises Abington today was purchased from the native Lenape by William Penn during the 1680s. By the next decade, a handful of European settlers built and lived in Hill Township, at the crossroads of Susquehanna Street Road and Old York Road. After brief times under other names, the township incorporated as Abington in 1704. The town's name is likely taken from parishes in England formed over 900 years ago in Northamptonshire or Cambridgeshire.[8] A local 1734 census counted 42 resident landowners.[9] During the American Revolutionary War, there was a small battle that took place at Edge Hill.
Some institutions have been in Abington for most of its existence. The cornerstone of the original Abington Friends School, in operation since before Abington's incorporation, is used in today's school building. The Abington Presbyterian Church opened in the early years of the township, and while the original building is gone, its graveyard is still used today.
The railroad reached the township in 1855,
Abington Township High School and Fox Chase Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[10]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40 km2), of which 15.4 square miles (40 km2) is land.
Communities
Abington Township comprises seventeen "communities":
- Abington
- Ardsley (also in Upper Dublin)
- Crestmont
- Elkins Park (also in Cheltenham)
- Fitzwatertown
- Fox Chase (also in Philadelphia)
- Glenside (also in Cheltenham)
- Hollywood
- Huntingdon Valley (also in Lower Moreland and Upper Moreland)
- Jenkintown
- McKinley
- Meadowbrook
- Noble
- North Hills (also in Springfield and Upper Dublin)
- Roslyn
- Roychester
- Rydal
- Willow Grove (also in Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland)
The communities are unofficial, unincorporated subdivisions of the township, corresponding roughly to voting districts and elementary school placement. Their primary importance, aside from community identity, is the postal system (e.g., to send a letter to someone living in the Glenside community, the letter would be addressed to Glenside, Pennsylvania rather than Abington Township, Pennsylvania). Additionally, some portions of some of these subdivisions, including Ardsley, Glenside, Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, North Hills, Willow Grove, and Elkins Park, are actually in neighboring townships.[2]
Local civic associations include Crestmont Civic Association, Glenside Gardens Civic Association, Hollywood Civic Association, Lower Huntingdon Valley Civic Association, McKinley Civic Association, Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association and Tall Trees Association. The civic associations work together on Traffic Summits in even years (2012, 2014, 2016, etc.) and Economic Summits in odd years (2013, 2015, 2017, etc.). These Summits focus on eliminating traffic congestion that interferes with the growth of businesses in the Township. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Traffic Calming Handbook recommends the formation of a Local Traffic Advisory Committee to work with officials to identify ways to improve safety of the community.
Climate data for Abington Township, Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 37 (3) |
42 (6) |
50 (10) |
62 (17) |
72 (22) |
81 (27) |
85 (29) |
84 (29) |
77 (25) |
65 (18) |
54 (12) |
43 (6) |
63 (17) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21 (−6) |
42 (6) |
32 (0) |
41 (5) |
51 (11) |
63 (17) |
67 (19) |
65 (18) |
56 (13) |
43 (6) |
34 (1) |
26 (−3) |
45 (7) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.44 (87) |
3.01 (76) |
4.32 (110) |
4.12 (105) |
4.37 (111) |
4.60 (117) |
5.05 (128) |
3.98 (101) |
4.53 (115) |
3.82 (97) |
3.94 (100) |
4.23 (107) |
49.41 (1,254) |
Source: The Weather Channel[11] |
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1890 | 2,703 | — |
1900 | 3,803 | +40.7% |
1910 | 5,896 | +55.0% |
1920 | 8,684 | +47.3% |
1930 | 18,648 | +114.7% |
1940 | 20,857 | +11.8% |
1950 | 28,988 | +39.0% |
1960 | 55,831 | +92.6% |
1970 | 63,625 | +14.0% |
1980 | 58,836 | −7.5% |
1990 | 56,322 | −4.3% |
2000 | 56,103 | −0.4% |
2010 | 55,310 | −1.4% |
2020 | 58,502 | +5.8% |
Source:[12][13] |
As of the 2010 census, the township was 79.7% White, 12.4% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.9% Asian, and 2.1% were two or more races. 3.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[14]
As of 2008, the
There were 21,252 households, out of which 32% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 11% had a female householder with no husband present, 56% were married couples living together, and 30% were non-families. 26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the township, the population was spread out, with 22% under the age of 18, 9% from 18 to 24, 25% from 25 to 44, 29% from 45 to 64, and 16% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. The population was 47% male, and 53% female.
The median income for a household in the township was $77,363, and the median income for a family was $94,473. The
Government
Year | Republican | Democratic |
---|---|---|
2020
|
30.6% 11,325 | 67.8% 25,079 |
2016
|
30.5% 9,983 | 65.0% 21,287 |
2012
|
35.7% 11,253 | 63.1% 19,871 |
2008
|
34.4% 11,244 | 64.8% 21,210 |
2004
|
38.0% 12,116 | 61.7% 19,667 |
2000
|
38.4% 10,808 | 59.0% 16,586 |
1996
|
37.2% 9,670 | 53.6% 13,933 |
1992
|
37.9% 13,933 | 46.3% 13,736 |
Abington Township does not have a mayor. Rather it is governed by a
All of the township is in the Fourth Congressional District and is represented by Rep. Madeleine Dean (D).
All of the township falls within the 4th Senatorial District in the Pennsylvania Senate and is Represented by Art Haywood (D).
All of the township falls within the 153rd Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives and is represented by Ben Sanchez (D).
In 2004, Pennsylvanian political scientists Dr. G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young identified Abington Township as an especially interesting political bellwether — a local area "looked to for early readings of how national elections will turn out."[16]
Economy
The economy of the township includes manufacturing of pressed steel, chemicals, and metal and plastic products.[6]
Top employers
According to Abington Township's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[17] the top employers in the township are:
# | Employer | # of Employees | Community |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Abington Memorial Hospital
|
4,195 | Abington |
2 | Holy Redeemer Health System | 2,061 | Huntingdon Valley |
3 | Willow Grove Park Mall | 2,025 | Willow Grove |
4 | Abington School District | 1,073 | Abington |
5 | SPS Technologies | 822 | Abington |
6 | Penn State Abington | 638 | Abington |
7 | Abington Township | 606 | Abington |
8 | Macy's & Bloomingdale's
|
460 | Willow Grove |
9 | Giant
|
337 | Roslyn |
10 | Target | 228 | Abington |
Parks and recreation
The Abington Township Parks and Recreation Department controls over 20 parks located within the township.[18] Alverthorpe Park is only open to township residents and guests of township residents and contains sports fields, trails, picnic areas, a playground, a lake, camping, a par-3 golf course, and mini-golf.[19] Other parks and natural areas in the township include Ardsley Community Center, Ardsley Park, Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary, Briar Bush Nature Center, Crestmont Park, Crosswicks Bird Sanctuary, Edge Hill Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, Karebrook Nature Area, Lorimer Park, Meadowbrook Bird Sanctuary, Patrick Kerr Memorial Skate Park, Penbryn Park, and several others.[18] The township has two public swimming pools: Crestmont Pool and Penbryn Pool.[20] The Abington Township Parks and Recreation Department also offers discount tickets to amusement parks, aquariums, zoos, ski resorts, movies, museums, and water parks.[21]
Infrastructure
Transportation
As of 2018 there were 211.99 miles (341.16 km) of public roads in Abington Township, of which 29.35 miles (47.23 km) were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 182.64 miles (293.93 km) were maintained by the township.[22]
Numbered routes serving Abington Township include
Several
Utilities
Electricity and natural gas in Abington Township is provided by
Health care
Education
Schools
Abington is served by the Abington School District. There are seven elementary schools in this township, which include:
- Copper Beech (1,156 students)[35]
- McKinley (754)
- Rydal (636)
- Highland (500)
- Overlook (587)
- Roslyn (511)
- Willow Hill (425)
The middle school (grades 6–8) is Abington Middle School (formerly the
There are several private schools located inside the township, such as Meadowbrook and Abington Friends School.[36] Penn State's Abington campus is located in the Rydal section of the township.
The school district received some notoriety in the 1960s when it became one of the key parties in the
The Elementary Schools, Junior High School, and Senior High school within Abington School District have recently undergone a series of renovations and rebuilding, resulting in more up-to-date and sophisticated structures.
Area Catholic schools include Saint Luke Catholic School in Glenside and Abington Township, Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School in Willow Grove and Upper Moreland Township, and Good Shepherd Regional Catholic School in Ardsley and Upper Dublin Township. Queen of Angels was formed in 2012 by the merger of Our Lady Help of Christians in Abington and St. David in Willow Grove, while Good Shepherd was formed after the merger of parish schools at Queen of Peace in Ardsley and St. John of the Cross in Roslyn in 2010. Private Catholic schools in the area include Regina Coeli Academy in Abington, Ancillae-Assumpta Academy in Wyncote, and Martin Saints Classical High School in Oreland.
Manor College is in the township,[37] with a Jenkintown mailing address.[38]
Notable people
- Polly Apfelbaum – visual artist
- Gail Berman – former president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Company and former president of Viacom's Paramount Pictures
- MIT professor and founder of the audio company Bose Corporation
- David Brumbaugh – former Oklahoma state legislator
- Michael Buffer – ring announcer
- Ashton Carter – physicist, Harvard University professor, and former United States Secretary of Defense
- Bradley Cooper – actor
- U.S. Representativefrom Pennsylvania
- Krista Errickson – actress
- Maddy Evans – retired National Women's Soccer League midfielder and defender
- U.S. Representativefrom Florida
- U.S. Representativefrom Pennsylvania
- Matthew Fox – actor, famous for his portrayal of "Jack" on Lost
- Jason Garrett – retired NFL quarterback, offensive coordinator of the New York Giants, and former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys
- Eddie George – retired NFL running back
- Drew Gulak – professional wrestler
- U.S. Representativefrom Pennsylvania
- Al Holbert – auto racer in Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
- Baseball Hall of Fame right fielder of the Oakland Athletics
- Katalin Karikó - Nobel Laureate for developments in mRNA enabling the first COVID-19 vaccine
- Deborah Kaplan – screenwriter and film director
- Bil Keane – cartoonist of The Family Circus; resided in Roslyn with his family from 1948 to 1959
- Chad Kolarik – University of Michigan hockey player, drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes
- William Lashner – novelist
- Andrew Lawrence - actor
- Joey Lawrence – actor
- Matthew Lawrence – actor
- Benjamin Lay – philanthropist and abolitionist
- Jim Liberman – racing driver
- Tony Award-nominated actor, comedian and musician
- James Morrow– science fiction author, born in the area and alludes to the case in his novel Blameless in Abaddon, whose title community is a parallel of Abington
- Jeff Parke – current Major League Soccer player
- Kyle Pitts – current (as of 2021) NFL tight end, drafted 1st round 4th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
- Emellia Prokopik, Ukrainian nun.
- Mike Richter – retired NHL goaltender
- Mike Rossi – DJ and former TV host who cheated in the Lehigh Valley marathon
- Bob Saget – actor and comedian
- Ellery Schempp – physicist; famous for his involvement as a student in Abington School District v. Schempp
- Allyson Schwartz – former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania
- Stephen A. Schwarzman – chairman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone Group
- Sex And The City
- Governor of Pennsylvania[39]
- David Starr – professional wrestler
- Kenny Vasoli – lead singer and bassist of The Starting Line and Vacationer
- Mike Vogel – actor, known for his roles in the films Grind and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- ZZ Ward – musician, singer/songwriter
- Danny Woodburn – actor, comedian
- Shawn Wooden – retired NFL safety for the Miami Dolphins[40]
References
- ^ a b "Township of Abington". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ a b c d "Abington Township Website". Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 14, 2017.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "US Census Estimates". Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
- ^ "About Abington | Abington Township, PA". www.abingtonpa.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b Shaffer, Helen L. (April 1976). "A Tour of Old Abington, Bicentennial Edition". Abington Civic Club. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ Edward W. Hocker; et al. (1956). "A History of the Abington Township" (PDF). The Board of Commissioners of the Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "Monthly Averages for Abington, PA (19001)". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau". Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ "Census 2020".
- ^ Census 2010: Pennsylvania. Usatoday.Com. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
- ^ "Montgomery County Election Results". Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
- ^ Madonna, GT; Young, M (June 30, 2004). "Pennsylvania's Crystal Ball". Politically Uncorrected Column. Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Politics & Public Affairs. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
- ^ Township of Abington CAFR Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Parks and Facilities". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Alverthorpe Park". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Pool Information". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Discount Tickets". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Abington Township map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ISBN 0-87530-775-2.
- ^ "Red Light Cameras". Abington Township Police Department. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
- ^ SEPTA Official Transit & Street Map Suburban (PDF) (Map). SEPTA. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "PECO: Company Information". PECO Energy Company. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ "Electric Service Tariff" (PDF). PECO Energy Company. July 17, 2017. p. 4. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Gas Service Tariff" (PDF). PECO Energy Company. August 30, 2017. p. 2. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Rates and Rules Governing the Distribution of Water" (PDF). Aqua Pennsylvania. March 11, 2013. p. 3. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ "Wastewater Treatment". Abington Township. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ "Refuse/Recycling". Abington Township. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ Area Code 215 and 267 Map (PDF) (Map). Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
- ^ "About Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health". Abington-Jefferson Health. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ "Services". Holy Redeemer. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ "Future Ready PA Index - District Fast Facts - Abington SD". futurereadypa.org. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
- ^ "Zoning". Abington Township. Retrieved 2024-03-11. - Abington Friends School is at F5, indicated with "▲1", and Meadowbrook is at E2, indicated with "▲8"
- U.S. Census Bureau. p. 2 (PDF p. 3/4). Retrieved 2024-02-06.
Manor Colg
- ^ "Home". Manor College. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
Manor College 700 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046
- Despite the address, it is not in Jenkintown Borough. - POLITICO. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ Scout.com: Shawn Wooden Profile. Hou.scout.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.