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York, Pennsylvania

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York, Pennsylvania
Official seal of York, Pennsylvania
Seal
Nickname: 
The White Rose City
Country
 State
  County		United States
 Pennsylvania
  York
Incorporated
 Borough
 City
 September 24, 1787
 January 11, 1887
Government
 • MayorJohn Brenner
Population
 (2000)
 • Total40,862
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Websitehttp://www.yorkcity.org

York, the White Rose City, is a city located in south-central Pennsylvania. The population was 40,862 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York CountyTemplate:GR. It is located at 39°58′00″N 76°45′00″W / 39.96667°N 76.75000°W / 39.96667; -76.75000.

History

York was incorporated as a borough on September 24, 1787, and as a city on January 11, 1887. During the American Revolutionary War York served as the temporary capital of the Continental Congress.

York is a center for manufacture of barbells and other equipment for weight training and bodybuilding. There is also a large Harley-Davidson motorcycle factory, which employs over half of Harley's workers. The popular candy, the York Peppermint Pattie was originally manufactured in York; however, in 1988 the company was bought by the nearby Hershey Foods Corporation corporation. York is also the headquarters of York International, one of the largest suppliers of HVAC systems in the United States. On February 3, 1998, a massive explosion at the plant occurred. A spark had set off a leak in the nearby propane storage house. The blast was felt up to 25 miles away, and blew out windows nearby as well as knocking down doors. About 20 people were injured in the blast but only one person was killed, as the explosion fortunately occurred during a shift change. A major regional department store company, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., is another corporation headquartered in York.

The alternative rock band, LIVE, is also from the city of York.

Geography

York is located at 39°57′46″N 76°43′41″W / 39.96278°N 76.72806°W / 39.96278; -76.72806 (39.962692, -76.728043).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.6 km² (5.3 mi²). 13.5 km² (5.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.14%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 40,862 people, 16,137 households, and 9,246 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,034.0/km² (7,852.2/mi²). There were 18,534 housing units at an average density of 1,376.2/km² (3,561.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.75% White, 25.13% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 9.40% from other races, and 3.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.19% of the population.

There were 16,137 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.0% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,475, and the median income for a family was $30,762. Males had a median income of $26,792 versus $20,612 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,439. About 20.0% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

Culture

York is home to the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, which brings many nationally acclaimed acts to the York area. Recent performers have included Kenny G, Bill Cosby, BB King, Bella Fleck, and George Carlin. The historic Capitol theatre also features many independent and foreign films, making it the only venue in York (and sometimes the entire Susquehanna Valley) to feature some rare, yet critically acclaimed films. The Strand Studio has also branched out from the recently Renovated Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. The Studio offers live music, usually jazz & acoustic, for the community.

It is also home to York College of Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1797, and Penn State York.

The historic York Fair, which claims to be the country's oldest[1] traces its roots to 1765. It runs every year in September for 10 days, encompassing an entire week and two weekends. In addition to typical fair attractions, such as rides, games and contests, it also wins regional recognition for hosting many (usually country) musical artists, such as Alabama, Aaron Carter, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sports

Club Sport League Venue Logo
York Revolution Baseball Atlantic League of Professional Baseball York Outdoor Recreation Complex

Media

The York area is part of the Susquehanna Valley (Harrisburg / Lancaster / York) media market. Of the major television network affiliates in this media market only one, the Fox affiliate WPMT has its base of operations in York. Other stations in the market include NBC Affiliate WGAL, from Lancaster, ABC affiliate WHTM-TV and, CBS Affiliate WHP-TV, both from Harrisburg. It is also not uncommon for York residents to receive some stations from the Baltimore, Maryland media market, due to its proximity to the south of York.

York is also unusual in that it supports two daily newspapers, despite its relatively small size. The York Daily Record is published Monday-Saturday mornings and the York Dispatch is published Monday-Friday afternoon. The York Sunday News is York's only Sunday newspaper. Currently The York Daily Record has the lead in terms of circulations of the daily newspapers.

Speculation has increased that the York Dispatch could cease publication. [2] This is due to a recent merger of the two newspapers, and subsequent staff cuts at the Dispatch. The prospect of the Dispatch folding is sure to spark greater controversy in the coming months and years, as many of the Dispatch's readers are more conservative and traditional Yorkers who will not want to see their afternoon paper no longer in print.

Transportation

York is served, through public transportation, by Rabbit Transit which operates multiple bus routes in the city and the surrounding suburbs. Rabbit Transit has faced similar obstacles to profitability as other public transportation companies in the country have, although it has taken advantage of the recent high gas prices and an active advertising campaign to atract new riders. [3]. In addition to Rabbit Transit the city has a greyhound bus depot, with non-stop service to Baltimore, Harrisburg and Lancaster, with continuing service on the same line to Washington, DC; Philadelphia, New York City, and Syracuse.

York does not have any commercial airport, although many residents use Baltimore-Washington International, due to its proximity, when flying in and out of the region. Harrisburg International Airport has become an increasingly popular, and closer alternative to Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Notable Residents

Trivia

In a twisted Hatfield-and-McCoy transplant from the Old World, the people of York (the White Rose City) and their counterparts in nearby Lancaster (the Red Rose City) are often the butt of each other's jokes. See Wars of the Roses for full explanation of the irony.

During the American Civil War, York became the largest Northern town to be occupied by the Confederates when the division of Jubal Anderson Early spent June 28 - 30, 1863, in and around town while the brigade of John B. Gordon marched to the Susquehanna River at Wrightsville and back.

Preceded by Capital of the United States
1777 – 1778 		Succeeded by
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