Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Lansdowne is a borough in Delaware County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Philadelphia
. It was named for the Marquess of Lansdowne
. The borough grew quickly in the early part of the twentieth century when a railroad stop was established near the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike. The borough is primarily residential with a commercial center near the original railroad stop. The borough also contained some light industrial buildings which have been in decline in recent decades.
The borough is sometimes erroneously spelled "Landsdowne" or confused with Lansdale
, in nearby Montgomery County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 11,044 people, 4,724 households, and 2,749 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 9,382.0 people per square mile (3,613.7/km²). There were 4,999 housing units at an average density of 4,246.7 per square mile (1,635.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.1% White, 12.3% African American, 0.09% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.5% from other races
, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population.
There were 4,724 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $87,017, and the median income for a family was $90,305. Males had a median income of $75,475 versus $63,257 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $70,177. About 0.6% of families and 0.4% of the population are below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
serves Lansdowne.
It is home to numerous arts organizations, including the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, Celebration Theater, the Lansdowne Folk Club
, and the Lansdowne Arts Festival.
The Farmers Market runs, rain or shine, on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. The market which takes place from Memorial Day to Halloween is a great source of Buy Fresh, Buy Local produce and food. http://www.LansdowneFarmersMarket.com.
The fire department was incorporated December 4, 1894 and provides a career ambulance service alongside a dwindling volunteer fire service. The borough's fire service is supplemented by the Yeadon, Clifton Heights, East Lansdowne, and Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Companies.
The town has several historic buildings, including a one-screen movie theater, and four areas that are on the National Register of Historic Places
.
A community of Scottish weavers lived and worked on Scottdale Road by the Darby Creek in the 19th Century. Some of their houses are still in existence.
A Quaker community and a Friends' Meeting House are located on Lansdowne Avenue.
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, 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...
located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown 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,...
. It was named for the Marquess of Lansdowne
Marquess of Lansdowne
Marquess of Lansdowne, in the County of Somerset, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain held by the head of the Petty-Fitzmaurice family. This branch of the family descends from the Hon...
. The borough grew quickly in the early part of the twentieth century when a railroad stop was established near the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike. The borough is primarily residential with a commercial center near the original railroad stop. The borough also contained some light industrial buildings which have been in decline in recent decades.
The borough is sometimes erroneously spelled "Landsdowne" or confused with Lansdale
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Lansdale is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Early in the 20th century, its industries included agricultural implement works, a canning factory, foundries, brickyards, a silk mill, and manufacturers of cigars, stoves, shirts, rope, iron drain pipe,...
, in nearby Montgomery County
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...
.
Geography
Lansdowne is located at 39°56′29"N 75°16′31"W (39.941345, -75.275343).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all land.
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 11,044 people, 4,724 households, and 2,749 families residing in the borough. 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 9,382.0 people per square mile (3,613.7/km²). There were 4,999 housing units at an average density of 4,246.7 per square mile (1,635.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.1% White, 12.3% African American, 0.09% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 5.5% 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 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population.
There were 4,724 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% 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, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $87,017, and the median income for a family was $90,305. Males had a median income of $75,475 versus $63,257 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 borough was $70,177. About 0.6% of families and 0.4% of the population are below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
William Penn School DistrictWilliam Penn School District
The William Penn School District is a regional public school district located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It comprises eight elementary schools, one middle school, one alternative school, and one high school, based on two campuses. The district serves the boroughs of Aldan, Colwyn, Darby,...
serves Lansdowne.
- Ardmore Avenue Elementary School (K-6)
- Penn Wood Middle School (7-8) (Darby)
- Penn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High School is a high school that occupies two campuses in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, USA.-Organisation:Penn Wood High is managed by the William Penn School District. D. Brandon Cooley is the principal and is a super big fan of the philadelphia phillies...
, Cypress Street Campus, (9-10) (Yeadon) - Penn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High School is a high school that occupies two campuses in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, USA.-Organisation:Penn Wood High is managed by the William Penn School District. D. Brandon Cooley is the principal and is a super big fan of the philadelphia phillies...
, Green Avenue Campus, (11-12)
Features
Lansdowne was once a vacation resort for residents of Philadelphia. People traveled by rail and horse to relax in the town's Victorian homes. Many of the homes have since been turned into multiple dwelling apartments.It is home to numerous arts organizations, including the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, Celebration Theater, the Lansdowne Folk Club
Lansdowne Folk Club
The Lansdowne Folk Club is a 501 all volunteer non-profit corporation dedicated to presenting, promoting and preserving folk, acoustic and blues music in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan area...
, and the Lansdowne Arts Festival.
The Farmers Market runs, rain or shine, on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. The market which takes place from Memorial Day to Halloween is a great source of Buy Fresh, Buy Local produce and food. http://www.LansdowneFarmersMarket.com.
The fire department was incorporated December 4, 1894 and provides a career ambulance service alongside a dwindling volunteer fire service. The borough's fire service is supplemented by the Yeadon, Clifton Heights, East Lansdowne, and Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Companies.
The town has several historic buildings, including a one-screen movie theater, and four areas that are on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
A community of Scottish weavers lived and worked on Scottdale Road by the Darby Creek in the 19th Century. Some of their houses are still in existence.
A Quaker community and a Friends' Meeting House are located on Lansdowne Avenue.
Notable residents
- Leroy BurrellLeroy BurrellLeroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
, former World Champion, World Record Holder, Olympic Silver Medalist in the 100 meters, and current track coach at the University of HoustonUniversity of HoustonThe University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, was raised in Lansdowne. - Bruce HarlanBruce HarlanBruce Harlan was a diver from the United States and Olympic champion. He represented his native country at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, where he received one gold medal and one silver medal....
, Olympic Gold Medalist in diving, was raised in Lansdowne. - Pat CrocePat CrocePasquale "Pat" Croce is an American entrepreneur, sports team executive and owner, author, and TV personality....
, former President of the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
and Founder of Novacare was raised in Lansdowne. - Joan JettJoan JettJoan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, lived in Lansdowne as a child. - Larry MendteLarry MendteLarry Mendte is an American commentator and American news anchor working at WPIX in New York City. Mendte was the first male host of the American syndicated television show Access Hollywood. His nightly commentaries are aired on TV stations across the country...
, former anchorman for CBS3KYW-TVKYW-TV, virtual channel 3, is an owned and operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. KYW-TV shares a studio facility with its sister station, CW flagship WPSG just north of Center City Philadelphia...
in Philadelphia, was born and raised in Lansdowne. - Winant SidleWinant SidleWinant Sidle was a Major General in the United States Army.-Biography:...
, U.S. Army Major General, was raised in Lansdowne. - Joe LunardiJoe LunardiJoseph Lunardi is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. He was born in Philadelphia, he is a graduate of Haverford High School in Pennsylvania, and is a Saint Joseph's University alumnus. Lunardi currently lives in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania...
, ESPN college basketball analyst and creator of "Bracketology", was a longtime resident of Lansdowne. - Andrea LeeAndrea LeeAndrea Lee is an American author of novels and memoirs. Her stories are often international in setting and deal with questions of racial and national identity, as well as collisions between cultures. Lee grew up in Philadelphia...
, New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
short story writer, lived in Lansdowne as a child and attended Lansdowne Friends School.