Gap, Pennsylvania

The Gap is a census-designated place and town in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The population was 1,611 at the 2000 census. It is the terminus for four Pennsylvania highways: 772, 741, 897, and the heavily-used 41, which goes toward Wilmington, DE.

General Information

• ZIP code: 17527
• Area code: 717
• Local phone code: 442
• Named after The Gap in the Appalachian Mountains
• William Penn owned 200 acres of land here

Geography

The Gap is located at 39°59′14″N 76°1′9″W (39.987360, -76.019254)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.2 km² (2.8 mi²), all land.

Demographics

The Gap Town Clock

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 1,611 people, 572 households, and 459 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 222.9/km² (576.5/mi²). There were 597 housing units at an average density of 82.6/km² (213.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.89% White, 0.43% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 572 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,036, and the median income for a family was $51,181. Males had a median income of $38,958 versus $24,803 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,052. About 4.4% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

The Gap Town Clock, built in 1892, is a Lancaster County Historic Preservation Trust Site located in Gap. According to the Gap Clock Tower Association, "The clock's face, long telling the time to passing multitudes, overlooks, at the gap, William Penns' entrance into Conestoga, now Lancaster County, in 1701."

Notable Residents

There have been several historical figures that have resided in The Gap, the most notable and recent being Christopher Slaymaker. Known locally as a philanthropher and town historian, Slaymaker has been reputed to be one of the wealthiest residents of The Gap and contributes regularly to social causes. Formerly of the Wheatland area of Lancaster Township, Slaymaker reportedly made a large fortune from his patent on a type of LED technology used in emergency warning lights. He is still active with the local volunteer fire department, and The Gap is currently considering renaming Pequea Avenue in his honor.