Plains Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Plains Township is a township in Luzerne County
, Pennsylvania
in the greater metropolitan area
of the city of Wilkes-Barre
. The population was 10,906 at the 2000 census. Plains Township is the location of Pennsylvania's first casino, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
. It is also the birthplace of Chicago White Sox
hall of famer
Ed Walsh
.
, the township has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35.1 km²), of which, 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (2.14%) is water. It extends from the Susquehanna River
in the northwest to the north slope of Wyoming Mountain in the southeast.
Its villages include Hudson, Llewellyn Corners (also in Bear Creek Township,) Midvale, Plains, Plainsville, and Westminster.
Plains Township's numbered routes include Interstate 81
, Route 115
, Route 309
, and Route 315
. Interstate 476
crosses the eastern portion of Plains Township between the Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley interchanges with 115 and 315, respectively. Main Street and River Street cross the populous NW portion of the township between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston. 309 follows the Cross Valley Expressway from the junction of 81 and 115 to the West Side communities and also has an interchange with River Street in the township.
of 2000, there were 10,906 people, 4,556 households, and 2,870 families residing in the township. The population density
was 822.1 people per square mile (317.3/km²). There were 5,007 housing units at an average density of 377.4/sq mi (145.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.33% White, 0.48% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.
There were 4,556 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the township the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $36,603, and the median income for a family was $46,549. Males had a median income of $34,076 versus $25,880 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $19,712. About 6.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- Demographics :As of the 2010 census, the county was 90.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% were two or more races. 6.7% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry...
, 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...
in the greater metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
of the city of Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
. The population was 10,906 at the 2000 census. Plains Township is the location of Pennsylvania's first casino, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Pocono Downs
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is a racino in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. The casino features 2,500 slots, live blackjack, roulette, and poker Tables. A 5/8 mile harness track is also a major attraction....
. It is also the birthplace of Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
hall of famer
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Ed Walsh
Ed Walsh
Edward Augustine Walsh was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the record for lowest career ERA, 1.82.-Baseball career:Born in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, Walsh had a brief though remarkable major league career...
.
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 13.6 square miles (35.1 km²), of which, 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (2.14%) is water. It extends from the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
in the northwest to the north slope of Wyoming Mountain in the southeast.
Its villages include Hudson, Llewellyn Corners (also in Bear Creek Township,) Midvale, Plains, Plainsville, and Westminster.
Plains Township's numbered routes include Interstate 81
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Island at the Canadian border, where the Thousand Islands Bridge connects it to Highway 401, the main freeway...
, Route 115
Pennsylvania Route 115
Pennsylvania Route 115 is a north–south state highway in eastern Pennsylvania. It stretches from U.S. Route 209 in Brodheadsville to Interstate 81 and Pennsylvania Route 309 near Wilkes-Barre. The road originated as the Sullivan Trail which later became known as the Easton and Wilkes-Barre...
, Route 309
Pennsylvania Route 309
Pennsylvania Route 309 is a major highway which runs for 134 miles through Pennsylvania in the United States. It connects Philadelphia and its northern suburbs to Allentown, Hazleton, and Wilkes-Barre. A limited-access highway portion of PA 309 in the Wilkes-Barre area is known as the North...
, and Route 315
Pennsylvania Route 315
Pennsylvania Route 315 is an long state highway located in Luzerne County in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 309 in Wilkes-Barre...
. 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....
crosses the eastern portion of Plains Township between the Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley interchanges with 115 and 315, respectively. Main Street and River Street cross the populous NW portion of the township between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston. 309 follows the Cross Valley Expressway from the junction of 81 and 115 to the West Side communities and also has an interchange with River Street in the township.
Neighboring municipalities
- Wilkes-BarreWilkes-Barre, PennsylvaniaWilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
(southwest) - KingstonKingston, PennsylvaniaKingston is a municipality located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, on the Susquehanna River opposite Wilkes Barre. Kingston was incorporated as a borough in 1857. Kingston has adopted a home rule charter which became effective in January 1976. It is part of the greater metropolitan...
(west) - Forty FortForty Fort, PennsylvaniaForty Fort is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,579 at the 2000 census. It neighbors the boroughs of Kingston, Wyoming, and Swoyersville...
(west) - WyomingWyoming, PennsylvaniaWyoming is a borough in the Greater Pittston area of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States five miles north of Wilkes Barre, on the Susquehanna River. Formerly, coal mining was the chief industry. In 1900, 1,909 people resided in Wyoming. There were 3,010 residents in 1910...
(north) - Jenkins Township (north and northeast)
- LaflinLaflin, PennsylvaniaLaflin is a borough in the Greater Pittston area of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,502 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Laflin is located at ....
(northeast) - Bear Creek Township (southeast)
- Laurel RunLaurel Run, PennsylvaniaLaurel Run is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 723 at the 2000 census.Laurel Run is the site of a mine fire which started in 1915...
(south) - Wilkes-Barre Township (south)
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 10,906 people, 4,556 households, and 2,870 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 822.1 people per square mile (317.3/km²). There were 5,007 housing units at an average density of 377.4/sq mi (145.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.33% White, 0.48% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.09% 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 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.
There were 4,556 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% 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, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the township the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $36,603, and the median income for a family was $46,549. Males had a median income of $34,076 versus $25,880 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 $19,712. About 6.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.