West View, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
West View is a borough
in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, just north of downtown Pittsburgh. The population was 6,771 at the 2010 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
. The borough and Ross Township comprise the North Hills School District
.
of 2000, there were 7,277 people, 3,149 households, and 1,908 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 7,210.8 people per square mile (2,781.8/km²). There were 3,304 housing units at an average density of 3,273.9 per square mile (1,263.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.62% White, 0.93% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.18% from other races
, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 3,149 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $38,264, and the median income for a family was $48,442. Males had a median income of $32,700 versus $27,031 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $21,025. About 4.4% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
. Located in the neighborhood's valley on Perry Highway/U.S. 19
, this one-midway trolley park
featured two beloved roller coaster
s: The Dips, with its unique banked turn-around curve, and the Racing Whippet, which featured two coasters on a strategically placed single track so that the train that started on the left of the loading platform came back on the right side and vice-versa. Another popular park attraction was "Danceland", an entertainment hall that featured many performers from big band
to rock and roll
over the years, most notably The Rolling Stones
in 1964. Danceland burned to the ground in 1973 and wasn't rebuilt.
West View Park closed at the end of the 1977 season. Its competing amusement park, Kennywood
, was continuously expanding with bigger attractions, which West View was unable to do because of its location. Today, West View Park Shopping Center (with a unique sign featuring a roller coaster resembling the Dips), occupies the amusement park site. The shopping center opened in 1981. There are no traces of the park left, but several nearby businesses feature old memorabilia (such as signs, photos, and tickets).
The Wendy's fast-food restaurant in the West View Plaza was just remodeled, and there are several new pictures that are on their walls that show the old Park.
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
in Allegheny County
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...
, just north of downtown Pittsburgh. The population was 6,771 at the 2010 census.
Geography and climate
West View is located at 40°31′6"N 80°2′1"W (40.518368, -80.033645).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 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
Surrounding communities
The borough of West View is surrounded by Ross TownshipRoss Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Ross Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
. The borough and Ross Township comprise the North Hills School District
North Hills School District
The North Hills School District, located in Northern Allegheny County, is a suburb of the city of Pittsburgh. The district comprises Ross Township and West View Borough ~ a area with a population of nearly 40,000....
.
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 7,277 people, 3,149 households, and 1,908 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 7,210.8 people per square mile (2,781.8/km²). There were 3,304 housing units at an average density of 3,273.9 per square mile (1,263.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.62% White, 0.93% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.18% 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 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 3,149 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% 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, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $38,264, and the median income for a family was $48,442. Males had a median income of $32,700 versus $27,031 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 $21,025. About 4.4% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
West View Park
From 1906 to 1977, West View was home to one of the most remembered Pittsburgh amusement parks, West View ParkWest View Park
West View Park was an amusement park that was located in West View, Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburgh. It was founded by Theodore M. Harton in 1906.- Overview :...
. Located in the neighborhood's valley on Perry Highway/U.S. 19
U.S. Route 19 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 19 in Pennsylvania closely parallels Interstate 79 for its entire length. US 19 enters Pennsylvania in Greene County near Mount Morris. Its northern terminus is in the city of Erie. Part is named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the Battle of Lake Erie.-Route description:In...
, this one-midway trolley park
Trolley park
In the United States, trolley parks, which started in the 19th century, were picnic and recreation areas along or at the ends of streetcar lines in most of the larger cities. These were precursors to amusement parks. These trolley parks were created by the streetcar companies to give people a...
featured two beloved roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
s: The Dips, with its unique banked turn-around curve, and the Racing Whippet, which featured two coasters on a strategically placed single track so that the train that started on the left of the loading platform came back on the right side and vice-versa. Another popular park attraction was "Danceland", an entertainment hall that featured many performers from big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
to rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
over the years, most notably The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
in 1964. Danceland burned to the ground in 1973 and wasn't rebuilt.
West View Park closed at the end of the 1977 season. Its competing amusement park, Kennywood
Kennywood
Kennywood is an amusement park located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The park first opened in 1898 as a "trolley park" at the end of the Monongahela Street Railway. The park was purchased in 1906 by F. W. Henninger and Andrew McSwigan and thus began the Kennywood...
, was continuously expanding with bigger attractions, which West View was unable to do because of its location. Today, West View Park Shopping Center (with a unique sign featuring a roller coaster resembling the Dips), occupies the amusement park site. The shopping center opened in 1981. There are no traces of the park left, but several nearby businesses feature old memorabilia (such as signs, photos, and tickets).
The Wendy's fast-food restaurant in the West View Plaza was just remodeled, and there are several new pictures that are on their walls that show the old Park.