Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Merion Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,863 at the 2000 census.
Located 16 miles (26 km) from Philadelphia, it is comprised of the villages of King of Prussia, Swedeland, Swedesburg, Gulph Mills, and Wayne.
The township is the home of the King of Prussia Mall as well as the 1,300-acre (5 km2) Valley Forge National Park. King of Prussia is also a major office park hosting firms such as Lockheed Martin and GlaxoSmithKline.
History
The Township's incorporation dates to 1713 when the King of Prussia Inn, the Bird-In-Hand Inn in Gulph Mills, and later the Swedes Ford Inn were required to pay 6 shillings to the Legislature for licenses. The King of Prussia Inn, built in 1709, captures the historical flavor of the township. It was named by a Prussian immigrant in honor of Frederick the Great, but became known during the Revolutionary War as a center of food and drink. An alternate story says the Inn, first called Berry’s Tavern, got its name to lure in Prussian mercenaries who spent freely.
Upper Merion Township is a township of the second class under Pennsylvania state statutes. A five member Board of Supervisors, elected at large for staggered six-year terms, governs it. The Board passes legislation and sets overall policy for the Township. A professional township manager runs the day-to-day operations overseeing the activities of 250 full and part time employees.
The township is the central location for a famous 1979 murder case involving the murder of Upper Merion Area High School teacher, Susan Reinert and her two children. Ex-principal Jay. C. Smith and fellow teacher William Bradfield were convicted of the murders.
In the late 1970s, Upper Merion was also listed as the number one drug school in the magazine "High Times"
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 44.7 km² (17.2 mi²). 43.7 km² (16.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (2.20%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,863 people, 11,575 households, and 7,141 families residing in the township. The population density was 615.2/km² (1,593.3/mi²). There were 12,151 housing units at an average density of 278.3/km² (720.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.75% White, 4.63% African American, 0.13% Native American, 8.45% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 11,575 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the township the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $65,636, and the median income for a family was $78,690. Males had a median income of $51,247 versus $38,166 for females. The per capita income for the township was $34,961. About 1.3% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Township Mission Statement
"To promote community vitality, economic prosperity and cultural harmony, Upper Merion Township will provide services which are responsive to the health, safety and general welfare needs of the community."
"The township government is dedicated to providing these services through the efficient and effective use of the community's available resources in an honest, open and caring manner."
Education
Pupils in Upper Merion Township attend schools in the Upper Merion Area School District.
