Mountain Top, Pennsylvania

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mountain Top is a census-designated place (CDP) in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 15,269.

Mountain Top consists of the entirety of Dorrance Township, Fairview Township, Rice Township, Slocum Township, and Wright Township

Though it is generally accepted that the area's proper name is "Mountain Top," there has been some debate about whether it should actually be "Mountaintop." The local historical society[1] uses the spelling "Mountain Top". The United States Postal Service uses the spelling "Mountain Top" for ZIP Code 18707 and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spells it Mountain Top on a Pennsylvania driver's licence. The local newspaper, however, the Mountaintop Eagle [2], uses the Mountaintop spelling in both its title as well as any reference to its location.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Education 4 Notable Events in Mountain Top History 4.1 December 1, 2006 5 Notable Personalities from Mountain Top 6 External links

[edit] Geography

Mountain Top is located at 41°8′17″N, 75°55′54″W (41.138082, -75.931634)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 178.7 km² (69.0 mi²). 176.6 km² (68.2 mi²) of it is land and 2.2 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (1.22%) is water.

Mountain Top is located 8 miles north of White Haven and 10 miles south of Wilkes-Barre on PA Route 309. Route 309 also connects Mountain Top to Interstates 80 and 81, which cross and form the "Crossroads of America". Interstate 80 runs from San Francisco to I-95 near New York City, while I-81 runs from I-40 in Knoxville, Tennessee to Ontario, Canada.

Mountain Top is elevated at 1558 feet above sea level.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 15,269 people, 5,556 households, and 4,394 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 86.5/km² (224.0/mi²). There were 5,774 housing units at an average density of 32.7/km² (84.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.02% White, 0.54% African American, 0.03% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 5,556 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,655, and the median income for a family was $58,588. Males had a median income of $41,271 versus $26,346 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,480. About 2.9% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

About 26.5% of the population has Polish roots. for the CDP was $22,480. About 2.9% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

About 26.5% of the population has Polish roots.

[edit] Education

Mountain Top is located in the Crestwood Area School District which covers over 110 square miles. In this area is included Dennison Township, Dorrance Township, Fairview Township, Nuangola Borough, Rice Township, Slocum Township, White Haven Borough, Wright Township, and Penn Lake Borough.

The Crestwood School District consists of five schools:

• Rice Elementary School - Rice Township (Grades K-6)
• Fairview Elementary School - Fairview Township (Grades K-6)
• St. Jude's Catholic School - Wright Township (Grades K-8)
  • After Grade 8 students can continue Catholic education by attending Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, or can enter Crestwood High School.
• Crestwood Middle School - Mountain Top (Grades 7 and 8)
• Crestwood High School - Mountain Top (Grades 9-12)

[edit] Notable Events in Mountain Top History

[edit] December 1, 2006

Parts of Mountain Top fell victim to the first tornado in Pennsylvania during the month of December on Friday, December 1, 2006. The tornado was confirmed as an F2 tornado, with a path of destruction about 15 miles long and a width of about 150 yards. Damage attributed to the tornado included roofs being torn off buildings, countless downed trees, loss of power to the majority of the Mountain Top area, and the windows being shattered at Mr. Z's grocery store. The Crestwood High School also had damage to its gymnasium roof, but to the disappointment of many students, classes resumed the following Monday. Damage cost assessments are still being performed.

[edit] Notable Personalities from Mountain Top

• Martin Bibla, professional football player, Atlanta Falcons.
• Diane Madl
  • USA olympian, Field Hockey (1996)
  • Head Coach, Providence College Field Hockey

[edit] External links

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 41.138082° -75.931634°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
• Crestwood High School
• Crestwood School District Home Page
• Mountain Top Historical Society
• Mountaintop On The Move
• Live Cam of Route 309 in Mountain Top