McCandless, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
McCandless is a municipality in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 28,457 at the 2010 census. It was originally incorporated as a township
; however, on January 1, 1975, McCandless Township adopted a new charter designating it a Home Rule Charter Municipality
with the name Town of McCandless. Despite the name, state government publications continue to recognize McCandless as a township of the first class rather than as a town. (Bloomsburg
, in Columbia County
, was incorporated as a town in 1870, and is recognized by these same publications as "the only incorporated town" in Pennsylvania.) Still, like all home rule municipalities in Pennsylvania, the Town of McCandless is not governed under the provisions of Pennsylvania's Township Code.
McCandless is part of the North Allegheny School District
and participates in the multi-municipality Northland Public Library
.
, the township has a total area of 16.6 square miles (43 km²), of which 16.5 square miles (42.7 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 0.66%, is water.
The municipality lies on the Allegheny Plateau
and is characterized by generally hilly terrain. A floodplain lies in the area of Pine Creek, which cuts a deep valley through the central portion of the township.
McCandless is bordered by Pine Township to the north and Hampton Township to the east. The southern border is Ross Township and the western border is Franklin Park borough.
, have been found in areas of the township. Early written history includes a visit by George Washington in 1753.
The first settler in McCandless was James Duff, who had purchased 400 acres (1.6 km²) in 1796. Farming increased in the area, and in 1849, meetings were held, presided over by Daniel Vogel, for the purpose of forming a local government. The township was originally founded in 1851 and called Taylor. The area was incorporated in 1857 as a Second Class Township and renamed McCandless in honor of District Judge Wilson McCandless. The published population was 1,482 persons.
During the 1800s McCandless was primarily a farming community. During the War of 1812
, an important supply route for the transportation of war materials from Pittsburgh to Commodore Perry's
forces on Lake Erie
passed through the area.
In 1908 an interurban commuter railroad, the Harmony Line, allowed area residents to easily commute to Pittsburgh. A concurrent oil boom
resulted in rapid early development, centered around the rail stations in the Highland and Ingomar areas.
By 1931, the Harmony Line had been replaced by the popularity of the automobile.
Allegheny County Commissioner E. V. Babcock initiated the establishment of Allegheny County's North Park. He purchased the land and later sold it to the county at cost. North Park was founded in 1927 by Allegheny County. Approximately 1600 acres (6.5 km²) of the park, 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), are located in McCandless. This area represents approximately 15.2% of the town.
Between 1930-1950, the town more than doubled its population (from 2,653 to 6,488). By 1960, the population had redoubled (14,582) and has since doubled again. At the 2000 census, the number of households in the town was 11,159.
Expanding population and traffic brought more diversified development into the area. McKnight Road was built in the mid 1950s and became the primary access into the north suburban areas. Retail and office uses occupy some of the McCandless segment of the McKnight corridor.
of 2000, there were 29,022 people, 11,159 households, and 7,922 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,754.4 people per square mile (677.5/km²). There were 11,697 housing units at an average density of 707.1 per square mile (273.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 94.58% White
, 1.29% African American
, 0.05% Native American
, 3.19% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.14% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos
of any race were 0.70% of the population.
There were 11,159 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $62,159, and the median income for a family was $73,482. Males had a median income of $57,415 versus $33,319 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $31,792. About 2.2% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, 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 28,457 at the 2010 census. It was originally incorporated as a 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...
; however, on January 1, 1975, McCandless Township adopted a new charter designating it a Home Rule Charter Municipality
Home Rule Municipality (Pennsylvania)
A Home Rule Municipality in Pennsylvania is one incorporated under its own unique charter, created pursuant to the state's Home Rule and Optional Plans Law and approved by referendum. "Local governments without home rule can only act where specifically authorized by state law; home rule...
with the name Town of McCandless. Despite the name, state government publications continue to recognize McCandless as a township of the first class rather than as a town. (Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg is a town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, 40 miles southwest of Wilkes Barre along the Susquehanna River. In 1900, the population of Bloomsburg stood at 6,170; in 1910, 7,413; in 1940, 9,799, and in 1990, 12,439. The population was 14,855 at the 2010 census...
, in Columbia County
Columbia County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile...
, was incorporated as a town in 1870, and is recognized by these same publications as "the only incorporated town" in Pennsylvania.) Still, like all home rule municipalities in Pennsylvania, the Town of McCandless is not governed under the provisions of Pennsylvania's Township Code.
McCandless is part of the North Allegheny School District
North Allegheny School District
North Allegheny School DistrictDistrict typePublicReligious affiliationNoneLocationNorth of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USAEnrollment 2010-2011Approx. 7844 studentsProjected Enrollment 2019-2020Approx...
and participates in the multi-municipality Northland Public Library
Northland Public Library
Northland Public Library is a public library serving Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Located in McCandless Township about eight miles north of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it is operated as a municipal authority supported by the residents of McCandless, Ross Township, the Borough of Franklin...
.
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 16.6 square miles (43 km²), of which 16.5 square miles (42.7 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 0.66%, is water.
The municipality lies on the Allegheny Plateau
Allegheny Plateau
The Allegheny Plateau is a large dissected plateau area in western and central New York, northern and western Pennsylvania, northern and western West Virginia, and eastern Ohio...
and is characterized by generally hilly terrain. A floodplain lies in the area of Pine Creek, which cuts a deep valley through the central portion of the township.
McCandless is bordered by Pine Township to the north and Hampton Township to the east. The southern border is Ross Township and the western border is Franklin Park borough.
History
Native American artifacts, primarily Iroquois NationIroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
, have been found in areas of the township. Early written history includes a visit by George Washington in 1753.
The first settler in McCandless was James Duff, who had purchased 400 acres (1.6 km²) in 1796. Farming increased in the area, and in 1849, meetings were held, presided over by Daniel Vogel, for the purpose of forming a local government. The township was originally founded in 1851 and called Taylor. The area was incorporated in 1857 as a Second Class Township and renamed McCandless in honor of District Judge Wilson McCandless. The published population was 1,482 persons.
During the 1800s McCandless was primarily a farming community. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, an important supply route for the transportation of war materials from Pittsburgh to Commodore Perry's
Oliver Hazard Perry
United States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace...
forces on Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
passed through the area.
In 1908 an interurban commuter railroad, the Harmony Line, allowed area residents to easily commute to Pittsburgh. A concurrent oil boom
Oil boom
An oil boom is a boom in the oil producing sector of an economy. Generally, this short period initially brings economical benefits, in term of increased GDP growth, but might later lead to a resource curse.-Consequences:...
resulted in rapid early development, centered around the rail stations in the Highland and Ingomar areas.
By 1931, the Harmony Line had been replaced by the popularity of the automobile.
Allegheny County Commissioner E. V. Babcock initiated the establishment of Allegheny County's North Park. He purchased the land and later sold it to the county at cost. North Park was founded in 1927 by Allegheny County. Approximately 1600 acres (6.5 km²) of the park, 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), are located in McCandless. This area represents approximately 15.2% of the town.
Between 1930-1950, the town more than doubled its population (from 2,653 to 6,488). By 1960, the population had redoubled (14,582) and has since doubled again. At the 2000 census, the number of households in the town was 11,159.
Expanding population and traffic brought more diversified development into the area. McKnight Road was built in the mid 1950s and became the primary access into the north suburban areas. Retail and office uses occupy some of the McCandless segment of the McKnight corridor.
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 29,022 people, 11,159 households, and 7,922 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 1,754.4 people per square mile (677.5/km²). There were 11,697 housing units at an average density of 707.1 per square mile (273.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 94.58% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 1.29% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.05% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 3.19% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 0.14% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
of any race were 0.70% of the population.
There were 11,159 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% 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, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $62,159, and the median income for a family was $73,482. Males had a median income of $57,415 versus $33,319 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 $31,792. About 2.2% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- McCandless official website
- Pennsylvania Code, Title 302, Chapter 23 — the McCandless home rule charter