Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Kutzeschteddel | |
---|---|
![]() Kutztown in March 2011 | |
EDT) | |
ZIP Code | 19530 |
Area codes | 610 and 484 |
Website | www |
Kutztown (Pennsylvania German: Kutzeschteddel) is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Allentown and 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Reading. As of the 2020 census, the borough had a population of 4,162.[3] Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is located just outside the borough limits to the southwest.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Kutztownpatrinitylutheranchurch.jpg/220px-Kutztownpatrinitylutheranchurch.jpg)
George (Coots) Kutz purchased 130 acres (53 ha) of land that became Kutztown on June 16, 1755, from Peter Wentz who owned much of what is present-day Maxatawny Township. Kutz first laid out his plans for the town in 1779. The first lots in the new town of Cootstown, later renamed Kutztown, were purchased in 1785 by Adam Dietrich and Henry Schweier.
Kutztown was incorporated as a borough on April 7, 1815, and is the second oldest borough in Berks County after Reading, which became a borough in 1783 and became a city in 1847.
Like most of Berks County, Kutztown was settled predominantly by Germans, most of whom came from the Palatinate region of southwest Germany, which borders the Rhine river.
The Kutztown area encompasses an area of land also known as the East Penn Valley, a broad limestone valley situated in northern and eastern Berks County, bounded by the Blue Mountain and South Mountain ranges to the north and south, respectively, by the Lehigh County border to the east, and by Ontelaunee Creek (Maiden Creek) to the west. Crystal Cave was discovered near Kutztown in 1871.
The
Since 1950, the Kutztown Folk Festival has been held in early July celebrating the culture, artistry, and culinary delights of the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Geography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Kutztownpamainstreetfromwhiteoak.jpg/220px-Kutztownpamainstreetfromwhiteoak.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Kutztownpawelcomesignonmain.jpg/220px-Kutztownpawelcomesignonmain.jpg)
Kutztown is located in northeastern Berks County, Pennsylvania, at 40°31′11″N 75°46′31″W / 40.51972°N 75.77528°W (40.519798, -75.775260).[5] It is surrounded by Maxatawny Township but is separate from it.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.3 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km2), or 0.33%, is water.[3] Kutztown has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and average monthly temperatures range from 28.9 °F (−1.7 °C) in January to 73.7 °F (23.2 °C) in July. [1] The hardiness zone is 7a. [2]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1840 | 693 | — | |
1850 | 640 | −7.6% | |
1860 | 915 | 43.0% | |
1870 | 945 | 3.3% | |
1880 | 1,198 | 26.8% | |
1890 | 1,595 | 33.1% | |
1900 | 1,328 | −16.7% | |
1910 | 2,360 | 77.7% | |
1920 | 2,684 | 13.7% | |
1930 | 2,841 | 5.8% | |
1940 | 2,966 | 4.4% | |
1950 | 3,110 | 4.9% | |
1960 | 3,312 | 6.5% | |
1970 | 4,166 | 25.8% | |
1980 | 4,040 | −3.0% | |
1990 | 4,704 | 16.4% | |
2000 | 5,067 | 7.7% | |
2010 | 5,012 | −1.1% | |
2020 | 4,162 | −17.0% | |
Sources:[6][7][8][2] |
As of the 2010 census,
There were 1,874
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 12.4% under the age of 18, 38.7% from 18 to 24, 19.0% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,677, and the
The Kutztown area is home to an
Government
Kutztown has a
Police services in the borough is provided by the Kutztown Police Department, which consists of twelve full-time officers.[13] Fire protection in Kutztown and surrounding areas is provided by the Kutztown Fire Department, a volunteer fire department with 30 members and six pieces of equipment.[14]
Education
Primary education
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Kutztown_University_view_of_Old_Main_from_Alumni_Plaza.jpg/220px-Kutztown_University_view_of_Old_Main_from_Alumni_Plaza.jpg)
Public school students in Kutztown, along with Lyons, Maxatawny Township, Greenwich Township, Lenhartsville, and Albany Township, are served by the Kutztown Area School District. Schools in the district serving the borough include Greenwich Elementary School, Kutztown Elementary School, Kutztown Area Middle School, and Kutztown Area High School.
Collegiate education
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a four-year public university located just outside the borough to the southwest. The university, which is one of the 14 schools of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, has an enrollment of 7,391 undergraduates and 918 postgraduates.[15]
Infrastructure
Transportation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/2022-09-01_16_36_02_View_north_along_U.S._Route_222_%28Kutztown_Bypass%29_from_the_overpass_for_North_Elm_Street_in_Kutztown%2C_Berks_County%2C_Pennsylvania.jpg/220px-2022-09-01_16_36_02_View_north_along_U.S._Route_222_%28Kutztown_Bypass%29_from_the_overpass_for_North_Elm_Street_in_Kutztown%2C_Berks_County%2C_Pennsylvania.jpg)
As of 2007, there were 19.63 miles (31.59 km) of public roads in Kutztown, of which 3.09 miles (4.97 km) were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 16.54 miles (26.62 km) were maintained by the borough.[16]
The Allentown and Auburn Railroad operates a freight and tourist railroad from a station in Kutztown east to Topton; the tracks are owned by the Kutztown Transportation Authority.[18]
Utilities
The Borough of Kutztown Electric Department provides electricity to most of the borough,
Health care
Lehigh Valley Health Network operates the Health Center at Kutztown, which offers various services such as blood testing, family medicine, speciality care, and rehabilitation services.[34] There is also a St.Luke's Urgent Care now located in Kutztown.The nearest hospitals to Kutztown are located in the Allentown and Reading areas.[35] Emergency medical services are provided by Kutztown Area Transport Service.
Economy
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Kutztownpamainstreetfromnoble.jpg/220px-Kutztownpamainstreetfromnoble.jpg)
Kutztown's economy is strong and diverse, with workers employed by Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and others.[36] [37] Companies formerly based in Kutztown include Bieber Transportation Group and the athletic shoe company Saucony.
Notable people
- Luther Adler, former actor[38]
- Keith Haring, former artist
- Ranger Bill Miller, former silent Western film actor
- Ray O'Connell, former mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania
- G Rene Ryan, national champion swimmer
- Gary Mark Smith, artist and author
Sister city
Kutztown has one sister city:
- Rhineland-Palatine, Germany[39]
References
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Oct 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ Orth, Richard L.T. (August 23, 2018). "A Look Back in History Mennonite Plain Dutch families call Kutztown area home". BerksMont News. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ^ Orth, Richard L.T. (September 21, 2016). "A Look Back in History: The Old Order Mennonite Sect at Kutztown also preserving the Historic Oley Valley". BerksMont News. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- ^ Shaner, Richard (July 24, 2009). "Kutztown welcomes Old Order Mennonites in 1949". BerksMont News. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- ^ "Council". Borough of Kutztown. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Home". Kutztown Borough Police. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "About Us". Kutztown Fire Department. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Kutztown University of Pennsylvania". Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Kutztown Borough map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ Berks County, Pennsylvania Highway Map (PDF) (Map). PennDOT. 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ^ "About Us". Allentown & Auburn Railroad. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Campus Shuttle Service". Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Klein Transportation and OurBus announce introductory schedule and rates". Allentown, PA: WFMZ-TV. February 10, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ "Daily Bus Service to Philadelphia, PA". Bieber Transportation Group. January 8, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ "Daily Bus Service to New York City, NY". Bieber Transportation Group. January 8, 2017. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ^ "Berks-based Bieber bus line out of business after 72 years". Allentown, PA: WFMZ-TV. February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ "Kutztown Airport to close; site may become shopping center". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ^ a b "Electric Department". Borough of Kutztown. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Our Service Area". FirstEnergy. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Electric Service Tariff" (PDF). Met-Ed. July 17, 2017. pp. 8–10. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Water Department". Borough of Kutztown. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Wastewater Department". Borough of Kutztown. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Refuse & Recycling (A division of Public Works)". Borough of Kutztown. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "About Us". Home Net. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Geographic Footprint". UGI. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "Gas Tariff" (PDF). UGI Utilities. July 7, 2017. pp. 5–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "Health Center at Kutztown". Lehigh Valley Health Network. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ "Emergency & Referral Services" (PDF). Kutztown University. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ Radius Toothbrush
- ^ Sposto Interactive
- ^ Luther Adler, actor is dead; Star of 'Fiddler' on Broadway
- ^ Mitchell, Lisa (February 18, 2021). "Kutztown and German town become sister cities". BerksMont News. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
External links
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