Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Upper Moreland Township
Township
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Montgomery
Elevation 203 ft (61.9 m)
Coordinates
Area 7.5 sq mi (19.4 km2)
 - land 7.5 sq mi (19 km2)
 - water 0.0 sq mi (0 km2), 0%
Population 24,015 (2010)
Density 3,202 / sq mi (1,236.3 / km2)
Timezone EST (UTC-5)
 - summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code 215
Location of Upper Moreland Township in Montgomery County
Location of Upper Moreland Township in Pennsylvania
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Website: http://www.uppermoreland.org

Upper Moreland Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 24,015 at the 2010 census. Upper Moreland Township is primarily a residential community with distinctive neighborhoods that are complemented by several thriving business, industrial, and commercial districts.

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19 km2), all of it land. Upper Moreland is part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area and is approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of downtown Philadelphia. The township is bordered by the Montgomery County communities of Hatboro, Upper Dublin, Abington, Bryn Athyn, and Lower Moreland while Bucks County lies to the north.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1930 3,989
1940 5,103 27.9%
1950 8,936 75.1%
1960 21,032 135.4%
1970 24,866 18.2%
1980 25,874 4.1%
1990 25,313 −2.2%
2000 24,993 −1.3%
2010 24,015 −3.9%

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 24,993 people, 10,120 households, and 6,638 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,139.6 people per square mile (1,212.3/km²). There were 10,403 housing units at an average density of 1,306.8/sq mi (504.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.72% White, 4.36% African American, 0.10% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.

There were 10,120 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,454, and the median income for a family was $61,143. Males had a median income of $41,697 versus $31,963 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,382. About 3.0% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

History

William Penn presented the tract of land around present day Upper Moreland Township to Nicholas More in 1682. At the time, the area was referred to as the "Manor of Mooreland". Moreland Township was first used to describe the tract in the 18th century but the current boundaries were not fixed until 1916 when a line was drawn through the Pennypack Creek and two municipalities were created: Upper and Lower Moreland Townships. In 1930, Upper Moreland Township was formally organized as a First Class Township.

Government

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democrat
2008 41.3% 5,328 57.8% 7,448
2004 45.6% 5,810 53.9% 6,861
2000 46.0% 5,058 51.1% 5,627
1996 43.1% 4,317 45.1% 4,517
1992 41.7% 4,796 38.7% 4,451

Upper Moreland's governmental structure and powers are derived from the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upper Moreland’s seven member governing body, the Board of Commissioners, is composed of representatives elected from each of the Township's seven wards to serve a four year term. The daily operations of the municipality are administered by the Township Manager, Assistant Township Manager, Chief of Police, and Directors of Emergency Services, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Finance. These positions, as well as the Township Solicitor and Township Engineer, are appointed by the Board of Commissioners.[2] The only other elected official is the Township Treasurer.

Township Commissioners:

Ward 1 - Lisa Romaniello
Ward 2 - Kevin C. Spearing
Ward 3 - Donna D. Parsell
Ward 4 - Joseph A. Lavalle, Vice President
Ward 5 - Clifton (Kip) McFatridge
Ward 6 - R. Samuel Valenza, President
Ward 7 - James McKenna[3]

Township Treasurer: Joseph J. Olszak[4]

Economy

The township states that the proximity of the Pennsylvania Turnpike attracts firms to the township.[5]

China Airlines operates the Philadelphia Mini Office (Chinese: 費城營業所 Fèichéng Yíngyèsuǒ[6]) in Building 39G at 2300 Computer Avenue in the Willow Grove CDP and in Upper Moreland Township.[7][8][9]

Transportation

Major highways serving the Township include the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with the Willow Grove Interchange located in Upper Moreland Township, and Pennsylvania Route 611, which links the area with Doylestown to the north and Philadelphia to the south. Other important roadways are York Road (PA 263), Moreland Road (PA 63), County Line Road, Davisville Road, and Blair Mill Road. Commuter rail and bus services to the Township are provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

Education

Upper Moreland Township is served by the Upper Moreland School District.

References

  1. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. ^ http://uppermoreland.org/information/about.aspx
  3. ^ http://uppermoreland.org/commissioners/
  4. ^ http://uppermoreland.org/departments/finance/report.aspx
  5. ^ "About Our Township." Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania. Retrieved on January 25, 2009.
  6. ^ "北美洲地區." China Airlines. Retrieved on April 24, 2010
  7. ^ "Branch Offices North America." China Airlines. Retrieved on January 25, 2009.
  8. ^ "Willow Grove CDP." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 25, 2009.
  9. ^ "Maps-Township-Buildings.pdf." Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania. Retrieved on January 25, 2009.

External links