Upper Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Upper Providence Township is a census-designated place
and township in Delaware County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, located around and north of the borough of Media
, between Ridley Creek
and Crum Creek
. The population was 10,509 at the 2000 census. Ridley Creek State Park
is inside the township.
). Upper Providence Township and Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania
split in 1687. The borough of Media
was formed in 1850 from pieces of both townships.
Water power was used extensively in the townships early history, with local mills including Sycamore Mills or Bishop's Mills built on Ridley Creek in 1718, Robinett Grist Mill (1687), Malin's Grist Mill (1770), Register's Nail Factory (1812), and Palmer's Mills (1802).
Formal education began when local Quaker, James Turner, left money in his 1787 will to establish Blue Hill School near Chapel and Providence Roads. The Union Library on Sycamore Mill Road opened in 1813 and had over eight hundred volumes by 1843. Sandy Bank School opened in 1836, and was rebuilt 1905 and enlarged in 1926. Lower Banks School opened in 1872. The Rose Tree Union School District was established in 1947.
The Rose Tree Tavern, built in 1739, was a well-known inn. It still stands, after having been moved to Rose Tree Park
. In the late 19th century the area became a summer resort for Philadelphians. Steeple chase races and fox hunts were held at the Rose Tree Hunt Club.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.1 km²), of which, 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (4.28%) is water. The noted Rose Tree Park
is located in Upper Providence Township.
of 2000, there were 10,509 people, 4,075 households, and 2,828 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,879.6 people per square mile (725.9/km²). There were 4,299 housing units at an average density of 768.9 per square mile (296.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 91.83% White, 3.90% Black or African American
, 0.08% Native American, 3.05% Asian, 0.29% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 4,075 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% 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 3.13.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $87,166, and the median income for a family was $100,450. Males had a median income of $79,848 versus $65,491 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $55,532. About 1.3% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and township in Delaware County
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 around and north of the borough of Media
Media, Pennsylvania
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and is located west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District...
, between Ridley Creek
Ridley Creek
Ridley Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in southeast Pennsylvania in the United States. The entire drainage basin is in the suburban Philadelphia area, but the upper creek and extensive park lands on the creek retain a rural character, while the mouth of the creek has long been heavily...
and Crum Creek
Crum Creek
Crum Creek is a creek in Delaware County and Chester County, Pennsylvania, flowing approximately , generally in a southward direction and draining into the Delaware River in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. It begins in a swamp near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania along which several mills were established...
. The population was 10,509 at the 2000 census. Ridley Creek State Park
Ridley Creek State Park
Ridley Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence Townships, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park, about north of the county seat of Media, offers many recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking....
is inside the township.
History
The area was settled about 1683 and formed into Providence Township. On October 17, 1683, the residents of Providence Township petitioned the Court of Chester County, of which they were then a part, to establish a road from Providence to Chester. The court approved the creation of Providence Great Road (now Route 252Pennsylvania Route 252
Pennsylvania Route 252 is a north–south route that connects at its northern terminus Pennsylvania Route 23 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Route 320 in Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania at its southern terminus.-History:...
). Upper Providence Township and Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Nether Providence Township is a first class township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Many residents refer to the township by the name of its largest community, Wallingford, because the Wallingford postal code is used for most of the township....
split in 1687. The borough of Media
Media, Pennsylvania
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and is located west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District...
was formed in 1850 from pieces of both townships.
Water power was used extensively in the townships early history, with local mills including Sycamore Mills or Bishop's Mills built on Ridley Creek in 1718, Robinett Grist Mill (1687), Malin's Grist Mill (1770), Register's Nail Factory (1812), and Palmer's Mills (1802).
Formal education began when local Quaker, James Turner, left money in his 1787 will to establish Blue Hill School near Chapel and Providence Roads. The Union Library on Sycamore Mill Road opened in 1813 and had over eight hundred volumes by 1843. Sandy Bank School opened in 1836, and was rebuilt 1905 and enlarged in 1926. Lower Banks School opened in 1872. The Rose Tree Union School District was established in 1947.
The Rose Tree Tavern, built in 1739, was a well-known inn. It still stands, after having been moved to Rose Tree Park
Rose Tree Park
Rose Tree Park is located on Providence Road in Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania in the suburbs of Philadelphia and used to be used for steeplechase racing. The park is in size and is open to the public. There are benches, picnic tables, a gazebo, a nature trail, an outdoor amphitheater,...
. In the late 19th century the area became a summer resort for Philadelphians. Steeple chase races and fox hunts were held at the Rose Tree Hunt Club.
Geography
Upper Providence Township is located at 39°55′57"N 75°23′42"W (39.932761, -75.395018).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 township has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15.1 km²), of which, 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (4.28%) is water. The noted Rose Tree Park
Rose Tree Park
Rose Tree Park is located on Providence Road in Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania in the suburbs of Philadelphia and used to be used for steeplechase racing. The park is in size and is open to the public. There are benches, picnic tables, a gazebo, a nature trail, an outdoor amphitheater,...
is located in Upper Providence Township.
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 10,509 people, 4,075 households, and 2,828 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 1,879.6 people per square mile (725.9/km²). There were 4,299 housing units at an average density of 768.9 per square mile (296.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 91.83% White, 3.90% Black or African American
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...
, 0.08% Native American, 3.05% Asian, 0.29% 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 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 4,075 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% 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, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% 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 3.13.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $87,166, and the median income for a family was $100,450. Males had a median income of $79,848 versus $65,491 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 $55,532. About 1.3% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.