Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Upper St. Clair
Home Rule Municipality
Official name: Township of Upper St. Clair
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Allegheny County
Area 9.8 sq mi (25 km2)
 - land 9.8 sq mi (25 km2)
Population 19,229 (2010)
Timezone EST (UTC-5)
 - summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code 412
Location of Upper St. Clair Township in Allegheny County
Location of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Website: www.twpusc.org

Upper St. Clair Township is a Home Rule Municipality and township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located about 10 miles (16 km) south of Pittsburgh. The population was 19,229 at the 2010 census.

Contents

History

The first European settler in present-day Upper St. Clair was John Fife, who settled near the what is now the intersection of Washington and McLaughlin Run roads in 1762.[1]

St. Clair Township, named after General Arthur St. Clair of Revolutionary War fame who was the 9th President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Under his administration as President, February 2, 1787 to October 29, 1787, the Northwest Ordinance and United States Constitution of 1787 were passed.[2]

St. Clair was one of the original townships of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair. The residents of Upper St. Clair formed their township to ensure better government service that could be obtained by separating from the more densely populated northern part of the township. Upper St. Clair Township was further subdivided throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as several parts of the original township separated to form new townships and boroughs. In 1973, Upper St. Clair Township adopted a home rule charter that took effect on January 5, 1976, and is no longer governed by the Pennsylvania Township Code.[3]

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had roots in Upper St. Clair.

Formed as a volunteer militia company in 1844 by residents of the township, the "St. Clair Guards" later became Company H of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The community was home to several mines beginning in the late 19th century. Freehold Real Estate Co. built the first major residential development in March 1913 along Washington Road that at the time was conveniently close to streetcar service.

As of today, the community has many fashionable homes and is considered one of the wealthiest in Pittsburgh.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township is located at . It has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25 km2), of which 0.10% is water.[4]

Neighboring communities

Upper St. Clair Township is bordered by South Fayette Township to the west, Bridgeville to the northwest, Scott Township and Mt. Lebanon to the north, Bethel Park to the east, and Peters Township (in Washington County) to the south.

Education

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 20,053 people, 6,966 households, and 5,823 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,055.7 people per square mile (794.1/km²). There were 7,091 housing units at an average density of 726.9/sq mi (280.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.56% White, 0.68% African American, 0.02% Native American, 4.02% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.78% of the population.

There were 6,966 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $87,581, and the median income for a family was $95,257. Males had a median income of $77,410 versus $41,140 for females. The per capita income for the township was $42,413. About 2.3% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.

Best places to live in US

Upper St. Clair was ranked as one of the 10 best places to live in the United States for 2009, according to U.S. News & World Report.[6]

Notable natives and residents

References

External links