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Coordinates: 39°57′31″N 75°36′18″W / 39.95861°N 75.60500°W / 39.95861; -75.60500
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{{Infobox settlement
'''West Chester''' is a borough located in [[Chester County, Pennsylvania]]. As of the [[2000]] census, the borough had a total population of 17,861. The town used to be called "Turk's Head." It is the [[county seat]] of [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]][[Geographic references|<sup>6</sup>]].
| name = West Chester
| settlement_type = [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]]
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/2/2
| image1 = Buckwalter West Chest PA.JPG
| caption1 = [[Buckwalter Building]]
| image2 = Westchester.jpg
| caption2 = [[West Chester Downtown Historic District]]
| image3 = Chester County Courthouse.jpg
| caption3 = [[Chester County Courthouse (Pennsylvania)|Chester County Courthouse]]
| image4 = OldMainEntryWCU.JPG
| caption4 = [[West Chester University of Pennsylvania]]
| image5 = Farmers and Mechanics Building.JPG
| caption5 = [[Farmers and Mechanics Building]]
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_flag = Flag of West Chester, Pennsylvania.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_seal =
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| nickname =
| motto =
| image_map = Chester County Pennsylvania incorporated and unincorporated areas West Chester highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 260px
| map_caption = Location of West Chester in [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester County]] (left) and of Chester County in [[Pennsylvania]] (right)
| pushpin_map = Pennsylvania#USA#North America
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of West Chester in [[Pennsylvania]]##Location in the United States
| coordinates = {{coord|39|57|31|N|75|36|18|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Pennsylvania]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = {{Start date and age|1799}}
| established_title1 =
| established_date1 =
| founder =
| seat_type =
| seat =
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[Lillian DeBaptiste]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailylocal.com/2022/01/03/debaptiste-takes-over-as-new-west-chester-mayor/|title = DeBaptiste takes over as new West Chester mayor|date = 3 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://debaptisteformayor.com/ |title=Lillian DeBaptiste for Mayor - Home |access-date=2022-01-07 |archive-date=2022-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107031209/https://debaptisteformayor.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 4.78
| area_total_sq_mi = 1.85
| area_land_km2 = 4.78
| area_land_sq_mi = 1.85
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
| area_water_percent =
| area_urban_sq_mi =
| area_rural_sq_mi =
| area_metro_sq_mi =
| area_note =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_ft = 446
| population_total = 18750
| population_as_of = 2023
| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 3904.69
| population_density_sq_mi = 10114.30
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| timezone1 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset1 = -5
| timezone1_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code = 19380–19383, 19388
| area_code = [[Area codes 610, 484, and 835|484 and 610]]
| area_code_type =
| blank_name_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| website = {{URL|west-chester.com}}
| etymology =
| pushpin_label = West Chester
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 42-82704
| official_name =
}}


'''West Chester''' is a [[borough (Pennsylvania)|borough]] and the [[county seat]] of [[Chester County, Pennsylvania]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Located in the [[Delaware Valley|Philadelphia metropolitan area]], the borough had a population of 18,461 at the 2010 census.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST10&prodType=table United States Census]{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> West Chester is the mailing address for most of its neighboring townships. When calculated by mailing address, the population as of the 2010 U.S. census was 108,696, which would make it the 10th-largest city by mailing address in [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pennsylvania-demographics.com/zip_codes_by_population |title=Pennsylvania Zip Codes by Population |website=pennsylvania-demographics.com |access-date=July 12, 2021 }}</ref>
West Chester is the hometown of [[Nick Berg]], a man who was beheaded in [[Iraq]].


Much of the [[West Chester University of Pennsylvania]] North Campus<!--See below--> and the Chester County government are located within the borough. The center of town is located at the intersection of Market and High Streets.
== Geography ==
West Chester is located at 39&deg;57'31" North, 75&deg;36'18" West (39.958678, -75.605052)[[Geographic references|<sup>1</sup>]].


==History==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of 4.8 [[square kilometer|km&sup2;]] (1.8 [[square mile|mi&sup2;]]). 4.8 km&sup2; (1.8 mi&sup2;) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
{{Main|History of West Chester, Pennsylvania}}
The area was originally known as '''Turk's Head''', named after the [[inn]] of the same name located in what is now the center of the borough.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebrandywine.com/WestChester/index.html |title=West Chester, Pennsylvania |publisher=Thebrandywine.com |date=July 26, 2001 |access-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref> West Chester has been the seat of government in Chester County since 1786 when the seat was moved from nearby [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]] in what is now [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]]. The borough was incorporated in 1799.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcjim.com/history.htm |title=West Chester Pennsylvania Local History | first= Jim | last= Jones <!-- not that one --> |access-date=2009-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208022346/http://wcjim.com/history.htm |archive-date=2009-12-08 }}</ref>


In the heart of town is its courthouse, a classical revival building designed in the 1840s by [[Thomas U. Walter]], one of the architects for the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dsf.chesco.org/chesco/cwp/view.asp?a=1492&q=617914 |title= Courthouse History |publisher=Chester County Courthouse|date=January 19, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205235527/http://dsf.chesco.org/chesco/cwp/view.asp?A=1492&Q=617914 |archive-date=February 5, 2012 }}</ref> In the 18th century West Chester was a center of clockmaking. Irish revolutionary [[Theobald Wolfe Tone]] briefly lived in West Chester during his exile.{{cn|date=November 2022}} In the late 19th century the Hoopes, Bro. and Darlington company became a major wheelworks, first for wagons and later automobiles.<ref>{{cite book|title=West Chester, past and present: centennial souvenir with celebration proceedings|year=1899|publisher=Daily Local News, West Chester, PA|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2UsVAAAAYAAJ/page/n130 125]|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2UsVAAAAYAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Keeping the wheels turning in West Chester|url=http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2008/03/27/past%20stories/19955280.txt|access-date=February 14, 2012|work=Daily Local News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723142954/http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2008/03/27/past%20stories/19955280.txt|archive-date=July 23, 2013}}</ref> In the early 20th century, an important industry was the Sharples cream separator company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dairyantiques.com/Cream_Separators_2.html |title=Cream Separators Page 2 |publisher=Dairyantiques.com |access-date=August 12, 2012 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004035100/http://dairyantiques.com/Cream_Separators_2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the late 20th century, [[Commodore International]], one of the pioneers of home computers, giving its headquarters as West Chester, was located approximately a mile northeast of the borough.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}
== Demographics ==
As of the [[census]] of [[2000]], there are 17,861 people, 6,265 households, and 2,662 families residing in the borough. The [[population density]] is 3,747.9/km&sup2; (9,703.3/mi&sup2;). There are 6,541 housing units at an average density of 1,372.6/km&sup2; (3,553.5/mi&sup2;). The racial makeup of the borough is 75.44% White, 17.08% [[African American]], 0.31% [[Native American]], 1.46% [[Asia|Asian]], 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.64% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. 8.94% of the population are [[Hispanic]] or [[Latino]] of any race.


The [[West Chester Downtown Historic District]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1985. Other listed buildings are the [[Bank of Chester County]], [[Buckwalter Building]], [[Butler House (West Chester, Pennsylvania)|Butler House]], [[Chester County Courthouse (Pennsylvania)|Chester County Courthouse]], [[William Everhart Buildings]], [[Farmers and Mechanics Building]], [[First Presbyterian Church of West Chester]], [[New Century Clubhouse]], [[Joseph Rothrock House]], [[Sharples Homestead]], [[Sharples Separator Works]], [[Warner Theater (West Chester, Pennsylvania)|Warner Theater]], [[West Chester Boarding School for Boys]], and components of [[West Chester State College Quadrangle Historic District]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
There are 6,265 households out of which 19.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.8% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 57.5% are non-families. 35.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.95.


==Geography==
In the borough the population is spread out with 13.4% under the age of 18, 37.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 13.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.7 males.
[[File:Gay Street WB past Church Street West Chester.jpeg|right|thumb|Gay Street in downtown West Chester]]
[[West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania|West Goshen Township]] borders West Chester to the north, south, and east, while [[East Bradford Township, Pennsylvania|East Bradford Township]] borders West Chester to the west. The borough straddles the [[Brandywine Creek (Christina River)|Brandywine Creek]] and [[Chester Creek]] watersheds.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watersheds of Chester County|url=http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/8467|publisher=Chester County|access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref> It is located {{convert|25|mi|km|0}} west of [[Philadelphia]] and {{convert|17|mi|km|0}} north of [[Wilmington, Delaware]].


According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of {{convert|1.8|sqmi|km2|0}}, all land.
The median income for a household in the borough is $37,803, and the median income for a family is $51,018. Males have a median income of $35,540 versus $30,819 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $19,073. 21.4% of the population and 9.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.5% are under the age of 18 and 9.2% are 65 or older.

===Climate===
As with much of southeastern Pennsylvania east of the [[Appalachian Mountains]], West Chester lies in the transition zone between the [[humid continental climate|humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfa'') and [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfa'') climate zones, with generally more characteristics of the former than the latter.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=464963&cityname=West+Chester%2C+Pennsylvania%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for West Chester, Pennsylvania]</ref> Summers are hot and humid and winters are cold but variable. Annual high temperatures average between {{convert|39.0|F|C}} and {{convert|85.4|F|C}}, annual low temperatures average between {{convert|22.2|F|C}} and {{convert|64.4|F|C}}, with the record high being {{convert|105|F|C}}, and record low being {{convert|-16|F|C}}.<ref name="weatherbase1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=464963&refer=&units=us |title=West Chester, Pennsylvania Travel Weather Averages |publisher=Weatherbase |access-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref>

Annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] averages {{convert|46.7|in|cm}}, and annual [[snowfall]] averages {{convert|27.7|in|cm}}.<ref name="weatherbase1"/>
{{Weather box
|location = West Chester, Pennsylvania
|single line = Yes
|Jan high F = 39.0
|Feb high F = 40.5
|Mar high F = 50.8
|Apr high F = 62.1
|May high F = 72.7
|Jun high F = 80.9
|Jul high F = 85.4
|Aug high F = 83.5
|Sep high F = 77.1
|Oct high F = 65.9
|Nov high F = 54.1
|Dec high F = 42.2
|Jan mean F = 30.7
|Feb mean F = 31.6
|Mar mean F = 40.9
|Apr mean F = 51.2
|May mean F = 61.5
|Jun mean F = 70.2
|Jul mean F = 74.9
|Aug mean F = 73.2
|Sep mean F = 66.4
|Oct mean F = 55.1
|Nov mean F = 44.6
|Dec mean F = 33.8
|Jan low F = 22.2
|Feb low F = 22.6
|Mar low F = 30.8
|Apr low F = 40.2
|May low F = 50.3
|Jun low F = 59.5
|Jul low F = 64.4
|Aug low F = 62.9
|Sep low F = 55.7
|Oct low F = 44.3
|Nov low F = 35.0
|Dec low F = 25.5
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.5
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.3
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.8
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.7
|May precipitation inch = 4
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.3
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.5
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.6
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.1
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.6
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.6
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.7
|Jan snow inch=7
|Feb snow inch=8.6
|Mar snow inch=4.6
|Apr snow inch=0.9
|May snow inch=0.0
|Jun snow inch=0.0
|Jul snow inch=0.0
|Aug snow inch=0.0
|Sep snow inch=0.0
|Oct snow inch=0.1
|Nov snow inch=1.2
|Dec snow inch=5.3
|year snow inch=27.7
|source 1 = Weatherbase
|date=October 2013
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1800= 374
|1810= 471
|1820= 552
|1830= 1258
|1840= 2152
|1850= 3172
|1860= 4757
|1870= 5630
|1880= 7046
|1890= 8028
|1900= 9524
|1910= 11767
|1920= 11717
|1930= 12325
|1940= 13289
|1950= 15168
|1960= 15705
|1970= 19301
|1980= 17435
|1990= 18041
|2000= 17861
|2010= 18461
|2020= 18671
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Chester County Courthouse.jpg|right|thumb|Old Chester County Courthouse. The new Chester County Justice Center is located at West Market St. and North Darlington St.]]
At the 2010 census, the borough was 72.1% non-Hispanic White, 12.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.4% Asian, and 2.4% was of two or more races. About 13.4% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA|title=Philadelphia gains, Pittsburgh shrinks in population |first=Larry|date=10 March 2011|last=Copeland|work=USA Today}}</ref>

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, 17,861 people, 6,265 households, and 2,662 families resided in the borough. The population density was {{convert|9,703.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 6,541 housing units averaged 3,553.5 per square mile (1,372.6/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the borough was 75.44% White, 17.08% Black, 3.64% from other races, 1.46% Asian, 0.31% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.94%.

Of the 6,265 households, 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 26.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 57.5% were not families. About 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 13.4% under the age of 18, 37.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 13.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough from 2018 to 2022 was $71,875.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts - West Chester borough, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/westchesterboroughpennsylvania/PST045223}}</ref> The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $41,443. 21% of the population lives below the [[poverty line]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts - West Chester borough, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/westchesterboroughpennsylvania/PST045223}}</ref>

==Economy==
Corporate headquarters include:
*Commodore Business Machines, the operational headquarters of [[Commodore International]] (now defunct)
*Communications Test Design, Inc. (CTDI), engineering, repair, and logistics for telecommunications equipment<ref name="Social capital">{{cite news | url=http://coatesvilletimes.com/?p=6577 | title=Chamber touts benefits of social capital | work=Coatsville Timers | date=July 18, 2013 | access-date=December 4, 2013 | author=McGann, Mike}}</ref>
*[[Mars, Incorporated|Mars]] Drinks, maker of [[Flavia Beverage Systems]]
*[[VWR International]] (lab and scientific supplies distributor)
*The operational headquarters of medical company [[Synthes]]
*Economy.com, part of [[Moody's Analytics]]

[[QVC]] has its headquarters and television studios in [[West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania|West Goshen Township]],<ref>"[http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.html/params.file.|cp|st_directions,html/left.html.file.|nav|navhqdirections,html/walk.html.|nav|navhqvisit,html Directions to QVC Studio Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611144216/http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.html/params.file.%7Ccp%7Cst_directions,html/left.html.file.%7Cnav%7Cnavhqdirections,html/walk.html.%7Cnav%7Cnavhqvisit,html |date=2010-06-11 }}." QVC. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.</ref><ref name="WGMap">"[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=06000US4202983080&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on West Goshen township, Chester County, Pennsylvania] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608180853/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=06000US4202983080&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on |date=2011-06-08 }}." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.</ref> near West Chester. It is located in the same buildings that were once the corporate headquarters of [[Commodore International]]. [[Electronics Boutique]], when it existed as an independent company, had its headquarters in West Goshen Township,<ref>Moran, Sarah E. "[http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2005/11/01/business/15489326.txt County jobless rate worsens] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229234839/http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2005/11/01/business/15489326.txt |date=2012-02-29 }}." ''[[Daily Local News]]''. Tuesday November 1, 2005. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20040611031120/http://www.ebholdings.com/eb_contacts/default.asp Contact]." Electronic Boutique. June 11, 2004. Retrieved on August 11, 2010. "931 South Matlack St. West Chester, PA 19382."</ref> in proximity to West Chester.<ref name="WGMap"/><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20010609162702/http://www.ebholdings.com/corcc.asp Corporate Office Positions]." Electronic Boutique. June 9, 2001. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.</ref>

{{anchor|Bradford_Plaza}}
Among the major [[shopping center]]s in the area is Bradford Plaza, a 22-acre property with a 161,000-square-ft center which sold in 2014 to [[New York Life]] for $35.7 million.<ref name=kostelni2014>{{cite news|author1=Kostelni, Natalie|title=West Chester shopping center sells for $35.7M|url=http://www.bizjournals.comphiladelphia/blog/real-estate/2014/06/west-chester-shopping-center-sells-for-35-7.html|work=[[Philadelphia Business Journal]]|date=2014-06-20}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Culture and media==
The West Chester Public Library has provided library services to area residents since 1872. It currently has a collection of 50,000 items and receives 110,000 visits every year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Short History|url=http://wcpubliclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/WCPL-Short-History.pdf|publisher=West Chester Public Library|access-date=November 25, 2014|archive-date=October 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005085318/http://wcpubliclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/WCPL-Short-History.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Francis Harvey Green Library on the university campus has additional collections.<ref>{{cite web|title=University Libraries|url=https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/STU/ramsEyeView/library.aspx|publisher=[[West Chester University]]|access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref>

The ''[[Daily Local News]]'', headquartered in West Chester, covers Chester County events.<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Local News|url=http://www.dailylocal.com/|publisher=[[Daily Local News]]|access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> [[WCHE]] (1520 AM) broadcasts from downtown West Chester and is a local commercial radio station that provides news and entertainment to Chester County. ''The Quad'' is the student-run newspaper of West Chester University. Published since 1932, it covers not only campus events, but also regional and national news.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Quad: About|url=http://www.wcuquad.com/about/#sthash.URQqF17u.dpbs|publisher=The Quad|access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> Radio station [[WCUR]] (91.7 FM) broadcasts from the borough and is managed by university students.<ref>{{cite web|title=91.7 WCUR The Curve|url=http://www.wcur.org/|publisher=[[WCUR]]|access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref>

The flag of West Chester was officially adopted by Borough Council and debuted in early 2019, after a contest sponsored by local business The Fence Authority.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Leigh |date=9 September 2018 |title=Fence Authority Partners with Borough in Creating Official Flag for Downtown West Chester |url=https://www.west-chester.com/DocumentCenter/View/8005/Press-Release_-West-Chester-Best--Flag-Forward-Contest |website=west-chester.com}}</ref> The winning design was created by Julie Allen. The six gold ribbons on the flag represent the [[History of West Chester, Pennsylvania|six original streets]] of West Chester: Market, Gay, High, Chestnut, Walnut, and Church. The flag is in the official colors of the borough, Pantone Blue 7455C and Pantone Gold 123C.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnstone |first=Malcolm |date=2019-02-28 |title=The West Chester Flag: creating a local symbol |url=https://www.downtownwestchester.com/news/the-west-chester-flag-creating-a-local-symbol/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=Downtown West Chester PA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2019 |title=Ordinance-2019-04--Flag--West-Chester-Borough |url=https://west-chester.com/DocumentCenter/View/9438/Ordinance-2019-04--Flag--West-Chester-Borough |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=west-chester.com}}</ref>

==Transportation==
===Roads and highways===
{{stack|[[File:2022-09-05 09 21 13 View west along U.S. Route 322 Business (Hannum Avenue) just west of Wayne Street in West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania.jpg|right|thumb|US 322 Business in West Chester]]}}
As of 2011, there were {{convert|33.82|mi}} of public roads in West Chester, of which {{convert|5.36|mi}} were maintained by [[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation]] (PennDOT) and {{convert|28.46|mi}} were maintained by the borough.<ref name=PennDOTmap>{{cite web|url=https://gis.penndot.gov/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/Type5/15414.pdf|title=West Chester Borough map|publisher=PennDOT|access-date=March 12, 2023}}</ref>

[[U.S. Route 202 in Pennsylvania|US 202]] and [[U.S. Route 322 in Pennsylvania|US 322]] are the major highways serving the area, though both bypass West Chester Borough on the limited-access West Chester Bypass. US 202 heads northeast to [[King of Prussia, Pennsylvania|King of Prussia]] and south to [[Wilmington, Delaware]] while US 322 heads northwest to [[Downingtown, Pennsylvania|Downingtown]] and southeast to [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]]. [[U.S. Route 322 Business (West Chester, Pennsylvania)|US 322 Business]] still follows the original alignment of US 322 and part of the original alignment of US 202 through West Chester along Hannum Avenue, Chestnut and Market streets, and South High Street.

The main east–west road to West Chester is [[West Chester Pike]], which begins in [[Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Darby Township]], [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]], just outside [[Philadelphia]], and is part of [[Pennsylvania Route 3]] (PA 3).<ref name=adcchester/> The West Chester Pike originally existed as a private [[toll road|turnpike]] connecting Philadelphia and West Chester between 1850 and 1918, when it became a public road.<ref name=images>{{cite book|last=Edgcumbe|first=Stephen J. |title=West Chester Pike |series=Images of America|location=Charleston, SC|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=8|year=2012|isbn=9780738592442 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtnCsFgQNg4C&q=west+chester+pike+1848%5C&pg=PA8|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> In West Chester, PA 3 follows Market Street eastbound and Gay Street westbound. The main north–south road in West Chester is High Street. To the north of town, the road is known as Pottstown Pike, which connects to [[Pennsylvania Route 100|PA 100]] near [[Exton, Pennsylvania|Exton]] (PA 100 formerly ran through town). To the south of town, the road is known as Wilmington-West Chester Pike. Other state routes serving West Chester include [[Pennsylvania Route 162|PA 162]] and [[Pennsylvania Route 842|PA 842]], which head west towards [[Unionville, Chester County, Pennsylvania|Unionville]], and [[Pennsylvania Route 52|PA 52]], which heads southwest towards [[Kennett Square, Pennsylvania|Kennett Square]].<ref name=adcchester>{{cite map|publisher=[[ADC Map]]|title=Chester County, Pennsylvania |year=2006|edition=17th|scale= 1"=2000'|isbn=0-87530-778-7}}</ref>

===Public transportation===
[[File:SEPTA West Chester Transportation Center.jpg|thumb|right|West Chester Transportation Center]]
West Chester is home to the [[West Chester Transportation Center]], which serves as a parking garage for the Chester County Justice Center and a [[Bus station|bus terminal]], which is located on the lower level of the facility. Three of [[SEPTA]]'s [[SEPTA Suburban Division bus routes|Suburban Division bus routes]] serve West Chester. The [[SEPTA Route 92|Route 92]] bus connects West Chester to the [[King of Prussia Transit Center]], the [[SEPTA Route 104|Route 104]] bus runs between West Chester University and the [[69th Street Transportation Center]], mostly following West Chester Pike, and the [[SEPTA Route 135|Route 135]] bus connects West Chester to Exton, Downingtown, and [[Coatesville, Pennsylvania|Coatesville]].<ref name=chescorideguide>{{cite map|publisher=Chester County Planning Commission|title=Chester County Ride Guide|url=http://www.chescorideguide.org/Map.cfm|access-date=October 15, 2021}}</ref> The Route 104 bus replaced a [[tram|trolley]] service that connected West Chester to Philadelphia along the West Chester Pike between 1898 and the 1950s.<ref name=images/> West Chester is also served by the [[Transportation Management Association of Chester County]]'s SCCOOT, which provides service to Kennett Square and [[Oxford, Pennsylvania|Oxford]].<ref name=chescorideguide/>

Until September 1986, West Chester was served by SEPTA's [[Media/Wawa Line]] commuter rail line, then known as the Media/West Chester Line. Service on the line was discontinued because of poor track conditions west of [[Elwyn (SEPTA station)|Elwyn]] station. At the time, SEPTA had limited funds for the necessary repairs and offered Chester County the option of either improving the rail line or expanding parking availability at the nearby [[Exton station (Pennsylvania)|Exton station]] on SEPTA's [[Paoli/Thorndale Line]]. The county opted for the latter, and service on the line was cut back to [[Elwyn, Pennsylvania|Elwyn]] (service was re-extended to [[Wawa station]] in August 2022). The rail line into West Chester is used by the [[West Chester Railroad]], a [[heritage railroad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wcrailroad.com/|title=West Chester Railroad|access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* Many of the skits on the [[MTV]] television series ''[[Jackass (franchise)|Jackass]]'', and later ''[[Jackass: The Movie]]'', were filmed in and around the borough, primarily those featuring [[Bam Margera]] and the [[CKY crew]]. The [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] shows ''[[Viva La Bam]]'' and ''[[Bam's Unholy Union]]'' were filmed almost entirely in the area, as was the movie ''[[Haggard: The Movie|Haggard]]'' and the [[CKY (video series)|''CKY'' videos]].
* A documentary, ''Our Lady Of Victory'', later released as ''The Mighty Macs'', filmed many scenes in and around West Chester, including Jimmy Johns, and the Armory Building.
* ''[[Marley & Me (film)|Marley & Me]]'', starring [[Jennifer Aniston]] and [[Owen Wilson]], filmed scenes in West Chester in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marley & Me Filming in West Chester|url=http://www.chestercountymoms.com/2008/05/marley-me-filming-in-west-chester.html|work=chestercountymoms.com|access-date=October 16, 2010|archive-date=December 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225155041/http://www.chestercountymoms.com/2008/05/marley-me-filming-in-west-chester.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In [[Funny or Die]]'s first feature film ''[[iSteve]]'', a parody of the life of [[Steve Jobs]], one of the villains is Commodore International, based in West Chester. This fact is prominently displayed several times in the film.

==Government==
{{See also|Chester County Courthouse (Pennsylvania)}}The borough is governed by the [[town council]] form of government. Led by the Borough Manager, there are seven council members, each representing one of the seven voting wards. The council controls all departments except the Police Department (the Mayor directs Police Department activities through the [[Chief of Police]]). The mayor and council members are directly elected by borough voters.

On January 3, 2022, [[Lillian DeBaptiste]] (D), daughter of former mayor [[Clifford DeBaptiste]] (R), was sworn in as mayor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-03|title=DeBaptiste takes over as new West Chester mayor|url=https://www.dailylocal.com/2022/01/03/debaptiste-takes-over-as-new-west-chester-mayor|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Daily Local|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Council members ===
''{{As of|2021|11|5|df=US|lc=y}}:''
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Ward
! Council member
! Party
! Term ends
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 1 || {{Sort name|last=McCoy|first=Patrick|nolink=y}}||[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|| 2025
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
|2
| {{Sort name|last=Allen|first=Nick|nolink=y}} || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] || 2023
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
|3
| {{Sort name|last=McGinnis|first=Brian|nolink=y}} || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] || 2025
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
|4
| {{Sort name|last=Stefano|first=Michael|nolink=y}} || [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] || 2023
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 5 || {{Sort name|last=Vaccaro|first=Sheila|nolink=y}}||[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|| 2025
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 6 || {{Sort name|last=Flynn|first=Bernie|nolink=y}}|| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] || 2023
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 7 || {{Sort name|last=Dorsey|first=Lisa|nolink=y}}||[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|| 2025
|}

==Education==
===Public schools===
The [[West Chester Area School District]], an independent entity, manages the area's public school system. All of the secondary schools operated by the district serve sections of West Chester borough: they are three high schools ([[West Chester Henderson High School (Pennsylvania)|Henderson High School]], [[West Chester East High School]], [[West Chester Rustin High School|Rustin High School]]) and three middle schools (E.N. Peirce Middle School, J.R. Fugett Middle School, G.A. Stetson Middle School).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://utility.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/directories/arcgisoutput/Utilities/PrintingTools_GPServer/x_____xnc8MobAxP9aimjKP4PJmvA..x_____x_ags_262c5a36-a69e-11ee-85d0-0afa9f6e927d.pdf|title=Attendance/District Boundary Maps|publisher=[[West Chester Area School District]]|access-date=2023-12-29}} - [https://www.wcasd.net/domain/1056 Accessed from here], PDF capture with zoom on West Chester.<br>"[https://www.wcasd.net/cms/lib/PA02203541/Centricity/Domain/1056/Secondary_Boundaries_SK8C.pdf School Boundary Adjustment Draft SK8C - Current Boundaries with Zones of Change] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926111019/https://www.wcasd.net/cms/lib/PA02203541/Centricity/Domain/1056/Secondary_Boundaries_SK8C.pdf |date=2018-09-26 }}" (Secondary). [[West Chester Area School District]]. Retrieved on September 26, 2018.</ref>

Elementary schools serving sections of West Chester borough include: East Bradford, East Goshen, Hillsdale, Greystone, Sarah Starkweather, and Westtown-Thornbury.
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://utility.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/directories/arcgisoutput/Utilities/PrintingTools_GPServer/x_____xnc8MobAxP9aimjKP4PJmvA..x_____x_ags_262c5a36-a69e-11ee-85d0-0afa9f6e927d.pdf|title=Attendance/District Boundary Maps|publisher=[[West Chester Area School District]]|access-date=2023-12-29}} - [https://www.wcasd.net/domain/1056 Accessed from here], PDF capture with zoom on West Chester</ref> Previously the following also included sections in West Chester borough: Exton<!--Proposal 13-->, Fern Hill<!--light blue-->, Glen Acres<!--Proposal 2-->, Mary C. Howse<!--Proposal 1-->, and Penn Wood<!--Proposal 3-->. Under some zoning proposals {{circa|2018}}, Exton, Glen Acres, Howse, and Penn Wood would no longer serve portions of West Chester borough.<ref>"[https://www.wcasd.net/cms/lib/PA02203541/Centricity/Domain/1056/Elementary_Boundaries_SK8C.pdf School Boundary Adjustment Draft SK8C - Current Boundaries with Zones of Change] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926111353/https://www.wcasd.net/cms/lib/PA02203541/Centricity/Domain/1056/Elementary_Boundaries_SK8C.pdf |date=2018-09-26 }}" (Elementary). [[West Chester Area School District]]. Retrieved on September 26, 2018.</ref>

===Private schools===
[[File:Darlington Seminary (History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, 1881).png|thumb|[[Darlington Seminary]] was a nonsectarian girls' school]]
[[File:St. Agnes Parochial School (West Chester, Pennsylvania) 4.jpg|thumb|St. Agnes School]]

St. Agnes School, a [[K-8 school]] of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia]], is in the borough limits. It opened in 1871. {{Asof|2020}} its enrollment is over 300.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saintagnesschoolwc.org/about/|title=About|publisher=St. Agnes School|access-date=2020-05-03}}</ref>

There are other Catholic K–8 schools with West Chester postal addresses:

* SS. Peter and Paul School ([[East Goshen Township, Pennsylvania|East Goshen Township]])<ref name=WCareamaps>"[https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf West Chester Area Council of Governments Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122620/https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf |date=2018-09-26 }}." On the website of West Goshen Township. Retrieved on September 26, 2018. Includes maps of various townships around West Chester borough.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sspeterandpaulrc.org/school/|title=School|publisher=SS. Peter and Paul Parish|access-date=2020-04-23|quote=Saints Peter & Paul School 1327 Boot Road West Chester, PA 19380}} - Compare with the township maps.</ref> was established in September 2001, with planning for the school beginning in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sspeterandpaulrc.org/school/about-us/history/|title=History|publisher=SS. Peter and Paul Parish|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref>
* SS. Simon and Jude School ([[Westtown Township, Pennsylvania|Westtown Township]])<ref name=WCareamaps/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://school.simonandjude.org/|title=Home|publisher=SS. Simon and Jude School|access-date=2020-04-23|quote=Saints Simon and Jude School 6 Cavanaugh Court West Chester, PA 19382}} - Compare with the township map</ref>
* St. Maximilian Kolbe School (Westtown Township)<ref name=WCareamaps/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://school.stmax.org/|title=Home|publisher=St. Maximilian Kolbe School|access-date=2020-04-23|quote= School Address St. Maximilian Kolbe School 300 Daly Drive West Chester, PA 19382}} - Compare with the township map</ref>

===Colleges and universities===
Much of [[West Chester University]]'s North Campus is located in the borough, south of the commercial and retail center.<ref>"[https://www.wcupa.edu/campusmap/documents/WCUNorthCampusMap.pdf North Campus Map]." [[West Chester University]]. Retrieved on October 9, 2018. See: "[https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf West Chester Area Council of Governments Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122620/https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf |date=2018-09-26 }}."</ref>

[[Delaware County Community College]] is the community college system for Chester County.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dccc.edu/about/locations/all-locations/chester-county-locations|title=Chester County|publisher=[[Delaware County Community College]]|access-date=2023-12-29}}</ref>

===Public libraries===
West Chester Public Library is the community library.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wcpubliclibrary.org/|title=Home|publisher=West Chester Public Library|accessdate=2022-10-19|quote=415 N. Church Street West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380}}</ref>

== Entertainment ==
West Chester has a variety of places to visit, including restaurants, shops, parks, and historical sites. Some popular tourist attractions include the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, the [[Chester County History Center]], the [[American Helicopter Museum]], the [[West Chester Railroad]], and [[QVC]] studio tours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE 15 BEST Things to Do in West Chester - 2023 (with Photos) |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g53951-Activities-West_Chester_Pennsylvania.html |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Tripadvisor |language=en}}</ref> People can also explore Downtown West Chester, which features a selection of dining and retail options along with historical buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Towns |url=https://www.visitpa.com/region/philadelphia-countryside/west-chester |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=VisitPA |language=en}}</ref>

West Chester is home to [[West Chester United SC]], a lower level professional soccer club that currently competes in both the [[National Premier Soccer League]] and [[USL League Two]]. Home matches are played at Kildare's Field. The organization also fields a side in the [[United Soccer League of Pennsylvania]], a fully-amateur state league.

==Notable people==
{{main|List of people from West Chester, Pennsylvania}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|West Chester (Pennsylvania)}}
* [http://www.west-chester.com/ Official borough website]
* [http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/chester_county/ West Chester County news] from ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''

{{Geographic Location (8-way)
|Centre = West Chester
|North = [[File:PA-100.svg|25px]] [[Exton, Pennsylvania|Exton]]
|Northeast = [[File:US 202.svg|25px]] [[King of Prussia, Pennsylvania|King of Prussia]], [[Philadelphia]]
|East = [[File:PA-3.svg|20px]] [[Newtown Square, Pennsylvania|Newtown Square]], [[Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Darby Township]]
|Southeast = [[File:US 322.svg|25px]] [[Concordville, Pennsylvania|Concordville]], [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]]
|South = [[File:US 202.svg|25px]] [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]]
|Southwest = [[File:US 1.svg|20px]] [[Kennett Square, Pennsylvania|Kennett Square]]
|West = [[File:US 30.svg|20px]] [[Coatesville, Pennsylvania|Coatesville]]
|Northwest = [[File:US 322.svg|25px]] [[Downingtown, Pennsylvania|Downingtown]]
|image =
}}
{{West Chester, Pennsylvania}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Articles relating to West Chester, Pennsylvania
|list=
{{Chester County, Pennsylvania}}
{{County Seats of Pennsylvania}}
{{Pennsylvania}}
{{PA Home Rule Municipality}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Philadelphia|Pennsylvania}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:West Chester, Pennsylvania ]]
[[Category:1799 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Boroughs in Chester County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:County seats in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1760]]

Latest revision as of 01:16, 1 August 2024

West Chester
Flag of West Chester
Location of West Chester in Chester County (left) and of Chester County in Pennsylvania (right)
Location of West Chester in Chester County (left) and of Chester County in Pennsylvania (right)
West Chester is located in Pennsylvania
West Chester
West Chester
Location of West Chester in Pennsylvania
West Chester is located in the United States
West Chester
West Chester
Location in the United States
West Chester is located in North America
West Chester
West Chester
West Chester (North America)
Coordinates: 39°57′31″N 75°36′18″W / 39.95861°N 75.60500°W / 39.95861; -75.60500
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyChester
Incorporated1799; 225 years ago (1799)
Government
 • MayorLillian DeBaptiste (D)[1][2]
Area
 • Total1.85 sq mi (4.78 km2)
 • Land1.85 sq mi (4.78 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
446 ft (136 m)
Population
 (2023)[4]
 • Total18,750
 • Density10,114.30/sq mi (3,904.69/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
19380–19383, 19388
Area code(s)484 and 610
Websitewest-chester.com

West Chester is a borough and the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States.[5] Located in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the borough had a population of 18,461 at the 2010 census.[6] West Chester is the mailing address for most of its neighboring townships. When calculated by mailing address, the population as of the 2010 U.S. census was 108,696, which would make it the 10th-largest city by mailing address in Pennsylvania.[7]

Much of the West Chester University of Pennsylvania North Campus and the Chester County government are located within the borough. The center of town is located at the intersection of Market and High Streets.

History

[edit]

The area was originally known as Turk's Head, named after the inn of the same name located in what is now the center of the borough.[8] West Chester has been the seat of government in Chester County since 1786 when the seat was moved from nearby Chester in what is now Delaware County. The borough was incorporated in 1799.[9]

In the heart of town is its courthouse, a classical revival building designed in the 1840s by Thomas U. Walter, one of the architects for the Capitol in Washington, D.C.[10] In the 18th century West Chester was a center of clockmaking. Irish revolutionary Theobald Wolfe Tone briefly lived in West Chester during his exile.[citation needed] In the late 19th century the Hoopes, Bro. and Darlington company became a major wheelworks, first for wagons and later automobiles.[11][12] In the early 20th century, an important industry was the Sharples cream separator company.[13] In the late 20th century, Commodore International, one of the pioneers of home computers, giving its headquarters as West Chester, was located approximately a mile northeast of the borough.[citation needed]

The West Chester Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Other listed buildings are the Bank of Chester County, Buckwalter Building, Butler House, Chester County Courthouse, William Everhart Buildings, Farmers and Mechanics Building, First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, New Century Clubhouse, Joseph Rothrock House, Sharples Homestead, Sharples Separator Works, Warner Theater, West Chester Boarding School for Boys, and components of West Chester State College Quadrangle Historic District.[14]

Geography

[edit]
Gay Street in downtown West Chester

West Goshen Township borders West Chester to the north, south, and east, while East Bradford Township borders West Chester to the west. The borough straddles the Brandywine Creek and Chester Creek watersheds.[15] It is located 25 miles (40 km) west of Philadelphia and 17 miles (27 km) north of Wilmington, Delaware.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (5 km2), all land.

Climate

[edit]

As with much of southeastern Pennsylvania east of the Appalachian Mountains, West Chester lies in the transition zone between the humid continental (Köppen: Dfa) and humid subtropical (Köppen: Cfa) climate zones, with generally more characteristics of the former than the latter.[16] Summers are hot and humid and winters are cold but variable. Annual high temperatures average between 39.0 °F (3.9 °C) and 85.4 °F (29.7 °C), annual low temperatures average between 22.2 °F (−5.4 °C) and 64.4 °F (18.0 °C), with the record high being 105 °F (41 °C), and record low being −16 °F (−27 °C).[17]

Annual precipitation averages 46.7 inches (119 cm), and annual snowfall averages 27.7 inches (70 cm).[17]

Climate data for West Chester, Pennsylvania
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 39.0
(3.9)
40.5
(4.7)
50.8
(10.4)
62.1
(16.7)
72.7
(22.6)
80.9
(27.2)
85.4
(29.7)
83.5
(28.6)
77.1
(25.1)
65.9
(18.8)
54.1
(12.3)
42.2
(5.7)
62.9
(17.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 30.7
(−0.7)
31.6
(−0.2)
40.9
(4.9)
51.2
(10.7)
61.5
(16.4)
70.2
(21.2)
74.9
(23.8)
73.2
(22.9)
66.4
(19.1)
55.1
(12.8)
44.6
(7.0)
33.8
(1.0)
52.8
(11.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 22.2
(−5.4)
22.6
(−5.2)
30.8
(−0.7)
40.2
(4.6)
50.3
(10.2)
59.5
(15.3)
64.4
(18.0)
62.9
(17.2)
55.7
(13.2)
44.3
(6.8)
35.0
(1.7)
25.5
(−3.6)
42.8
(6.0)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.5
(89)
3.3
(84)
3.8
(97)
3.7
(94)
4
(100)
4.3
(110)
4.5
(110)
4.6
(120)
4.1
(100)
3.6
(91)
3.6
(91)
3.7
(94)
46.7
(1,180)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 7
(18)
8.6
(22)
4.6
(12)
0.9
(2.3)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.25)
1.2
(3.0)
5.3
(13)
27.7
(70)
Source: Weatherbase

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1800374
181047125.9%
182055217.2%
18301,258127.9%
18402,15271.1%
18503,17247.4%
18604,75750.0%
18705,63018.4%
18807,04625.2%
18908,02813.9%
19009,52418.6%
191011,76723.6%
192011,717−0.4%
193012,3255.2%
194013,2897.8%
195015,16814.1%
196015,7053.5%
197019,30122.9%
198017,435−9.7%
199018,0413.5%
200017,861−1.0%
201018,4613.4%
202018,6711.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
Old Chester County Courthouse. The new Chester County Justice Center is located at West Market St. and North Darlington St.

At the 2010 census, the borough was 72.1% non-Hispanic White, 12.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.4% Asian, and 2.4% was of two or more races. About 13.4% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[19]

As of the census[20] of 2000, 17,861 people, 6,265 households, and 2,662 families resided in the borough. The population density was 9,703.3 inhabitants per square mile (3,746.5/km2). The 6,541 housing units averaged 3,553.5 per square mile (1,372.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.44% White, 17.08% Black, 3.64% from other races, 1.46% Asian, 0.31% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.94%.

Of the 6,265 households, 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 26.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 57.5% were not families. About 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 13.4% under the age of 18, 37.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 13.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough from 2018 to 2022 was $71,875.[21] The per capita income for the borough was $41,443. 21% of the population lives below the poverty line.[22]

Economy

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Corporate headquarters include:

QVC has its headquarters and television studios in West Goshen Township,[24][25] near West Chester. It is located in the same buildings that were once the corporate headquarters of Commodore International. Electronics Boutique, when it existed as an independent company, had its headquarters in West Goshen Township,[26][27] in proximity to West Chester.[25][28]

Among the major shopping centers in the area is Bradford Plaza, a 22-acre property with a 161,000-square-ft center which sold in 2014 to New York Life for $35.7 million.[29]

Culture and media

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The West Chester Public Library has provided library services to area residents since 1872. It currently has a collection of 50,000 items and receives 110,000 visits every year.[30] The Francis Harvey Green Library on the university campus has additional collections.[31]

The Daily Local News, headquartered in West Chester, covers Chester County events.[32] WCHE (1520 AM) broadcasts from downtown West Chester and is a local commercial radio station that provides news and entertainment to Chester County. The Quad is the student-run newspaper of West Chester University. Published since 1932, it covers not only campus events, but also regional and national news.[33] Radio station WCUR (91.7 FM) broadcasts from the borough and is managed by university students.[34]

The flag of West Chester was officially adopted by Borough Council and debuted in early 2019, after a contest sponsored by local business The Fence Authority.[35] The winning design was created by Julie Allen. The six gold ribbons on the flag represent the six original streets of West Chester: Market, Gay, High, Chestnut, Walnut, and Church. The flag is in the official colors of the borough, Pantone Blue 7455C and Pantone Gold 123C.[36][37]

Transportation

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Roads and highways

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US 322 Business in West Chester

As of 2011, there were 33.82 miles (54.43 km) of public roads in West Chester, of which 5.36 miles (8.63 km) were maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 28.46 miles (45.80 km) were maintained by the borough.[38]

US 202 and US 322 are the major highways serving the area, though both bypass West Chester Borough on the limited-access West Chester Bypass. US 202 heads northeast to King of Prussia and south to Wilmington, Delaware while US 322 heads northwest to Downingtown and southeast to Chester. US 322 Business still follows the original alignment of US 322 and part of the original alignment of US 202 through West Chester along Hannum Avenue, Chestnut and Market streets, and South High Street.

The main east–west road to West Chester is West Chester Pike, which begins in Upper Darby Township, Delaware County, just outside Philadelphia, and is part of Pennsylvania Route 3 (PA 3).[39] The West Chester Pike originally existed as a private turnpike connecting Philadelphia and West Chester between 1850 and 1918, when it became a public road.[40] In West Chester, PA 3 follows Market Street eastbound and Gay Street westbound. The main north–south road in West Chester is High Street. To the north of town, the road is known as Pottstown Pike, which connects to PA 100 near Exton (PA 100 formerly ran through town). To the south of town, the road is known as Wilmington-West Chester Pike. Other state routes serving West Chester include PA 162 and PA 842, which head west towards Unionville, and PA 52, which heads southwest towards Kennett Square.[39]

Public transportation

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West Chester Transportation Center

West Chester is home to the West Chester Transportation Center, which serves as a parking garage for the Chester County Justice Center and a bus terminal, which is located on the lower level of the facility. Three of SEPTA's Suburban Division bus routes serve West Chester. The Route 92 bus connects West Chester to the King of Prussia Transit Center, the Route 104 bus runs between West Chester University and the 69th Street Transportation Center, mostly following West Chester Pike, and the Route 135 bus connects West Chester to Exton, Downingtown, and Coatesville.[41] The Route 104 bus replaced a trolley service that connected West Chester to Philadelphia along the West Chester Pike between 1898 and the 1950s.[40] West Chester is also served by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County's SCCOOT, which provides service to Kennett Square and Oxford.[41]

Until September 1986, West Chester was served by SEPTA's Media/Wawa Line commuter rail line, then known as the Media/West Chester Line. Service on the line was discontinued because of poor track conditions west of Elwyn station. At the time, SEPTA had limited funds for the necessary repairs and offered Chester County the option of either improving the rail line or expanding parking availability at the nearby Exton station on SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Line. The county opted for the latter, and service on the line was cut back to Elwyn (service was re-extended to Wawa station in August 2022). The rail line into West Chester is used by the West Chester Railroad, a heritage railroad.[42]

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Government

[edit]

The borough is governed by the town council form of government. Led by the Borough Manager, there are seven council members, each representing one of the seven voting wards. The council controls all departments except the Police Department (the Mayor directs Police Department activities through the Chief of Police). The mayor and council members are directly elected by borough voters.

On January 3, 2022, Lillian DeBaptiste (D), daughter of former mayor Clifford DeBaptiste (R), was sworn in as mayor.[44]

Council members

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as of November 5, 2021:

Ward Council member Party Term ends
1 Patrick McCoy Democratic 2025
2 Nick Allen Democratic 2023
3 Brian McGinnis Democratic 2025
4 Michael Stefano Democratic 2023
5 Sheila Vaccaro Democratic 2025
6 Bernie Flynn Democratic 2023
7 Lisa Dorsey Democratic 2025

Education

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Public schools

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The West Chester Area School District, an independent entity, manages the area's public school system. All of the secondary schools operated by the district serve sections of West Chester borough: they are three high schools (Henderson High School, West Chester East High School, Rustin High School) and three middle schools (E.N. Peirce Middle School, J.R. Fugett Middle School, G.A. Stetson Middle School).[45]

Elementary schools serving sections of West Chester borough include: East Bradford, East Goshen, Hillsdale, Greystone, Sarah Starkweather, and Westtown-Thornbury. [46] Previously the following also included sections in West Chester borough: Exton, Fern Hill, Glen Acres, Mary C. Howse, and Penn Wood. Under some zoning proposals c. 2018, Exton, Glen Acres, Howse, and Penn Wood would no longer serve portions of West Chester borough.[47]

Private schools

[edit]
Darlington Seminary was a nonsectarian girls' school
St. Agnes School

St. Agnes School, a K-8 school of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is in the borough limits. It opened in 1871. As of 2020 its enrollment is over 300.[48]

There are other Catholic K–8 schools with West Chester postal addresses:

Colleges and universities

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Much of West Chester University's North Campus is located in the borough, south of the commercial and retail center.[54]

Delaware County Community College is the community college system for Chester County.[55]

Public libraries

[edit]

West Chester Public Library is the community library.[56]

Entertainment

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West Chester has a variety of places to visit, including restaurants, shops, parks, and historical sites. Some popular tourist attractions include the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, the Chester County History Center, the American Helicopter Museum, the West Chester Railroad, and QVC studio tours.[57] People can also explore Downtown West Chester, which features a selection of dining and retail options along with historical buildings.[58]

West Chester is home to West Chester United SC, a lower level professional soccer club that currently competes in both the National Premier Soccer League and USL League Two. Home matches are played at Kildare's Field. The organization also fields a side in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania, a fully-amateur state league.

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "DeBaptiste takes over as new West Chester mayor". 3 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Lillian DeBaptiste for Mayor - Home". Archived from the original on 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  3. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Oct 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ^ United States Census[dead link]
  7. ^ "Pennsylvania Zip Codes by Population". pennsylvania-demographics.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "West Chester, Pennsylvania". Thebrandywine.com. July 26, 2001. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Jones, Jim. "West Chester Pennsylvania Local History". Archived from the original on 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  10. ^ "Courthouse History". Chester County Courthouse. January 19, 2011. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  11. ^ West Chester, past and present: centennial souvenir with celebration proceedings. Daily Local News, West Chester, PA. 1899. p. 125.
  12. ^ "Keeping the wheels turning in West Chester". Daily Local News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  13. ^ "Cream Separators Page 2". Dairyantiques.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  14. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  15. ^ "Watersheds of Chester County". Chester County. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  16. ^ Climate Summary for West Chester, Pennsylvania
  17. ^ a b "West Chester, Pennsylvania Travel Weather Averages". Weatherbase. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  18. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  19. ^ Copeland, Larry (10 March 2011). "Philadelphia gains, Pittsburgh shrinks in population". USA Today.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  21. ^ "QuickFacts - West Chester borough, Pennsylvania".
  22. ^ "QuickFacts - West Chester borough, Pennsylvania".
  23. ^ McGann, Mike (July 18, 2013). "Chamber touts benefits of social capital". Coatsville Timers. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  24. ^ "Directions to QVC Studio Park Archived 2010-06-11 at the Wayback Machine." QVC. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.
  25. ^ a b "West Goshen township, Chester County, Pennsylvania Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.
  26. ^ Moran, Sarah E. "County jobless rate worsens Archived 2012-02-29 at the Wayback Machine." Daily Local News. Tuesday November 1, 2005. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.
  27. ^ "Contact." Electronic Boutique. June 11, 2004. Retrieved on August 11, 2010. "931 South Matlack St. West Chester, PA 19382."
  28. ^ "Corporate Office Positions." Electronic Boutique. June 9, 2001. Retrieved on August 11, 2010.
  29. ^ Kostelni, Natalie (2014-06-20). "West Chester shopping center sells for $35.7M". Philadelphia Business Journal.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ "Short History" (PDF). West Chester Public Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  31. ^ "University Libraries". West Chester University. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  32. ^ "Daily Local News". Daily Local News. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  33. ^ "The Quad: About". The Quad. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  34. ^ "91.7 WCUR The Curve". WCUR. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  35. ^ Green, Leigh (9 September 2018). "Fence Authority Partners with Borough in Creating Official Flag for Downtown West Chester". west-chester.com.
  36. ^ Johnstone, Malcolm (2019-02-28). "The West Chester Flag: creating a local symbol". Downtown West Chester PA. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  37. ^ "Ordinance-2019-04--Flag--West-Chester-Borough". west-chester.com. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  38. ^ "West Chester Borough map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Chester County, Pennsylvania (Map) (17th ed.). 1"=2000'. ADC Map. 2006. ISBN 0-87530-778-7.
  40. ^ a b Edgcumbe, Stephen J. (2012). West Chester Pike. Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 9780738592442. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  41. ^ a b Chester County Ride Guide (Map). Chester County Planning Commission. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  42. ^ "West Chester Railroad". Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  43. ^ "Marley & Me Filming in West Chester". chestercountymoms.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  44. ^ "DeBaptiste takes over as new West Chester mayor". Daily Local. 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  45. ^ "Attendance/District Boundary Maps" (PDF). West Chester Area School District. Retrieved 2023-12-29. - Accessed from here, PDF capture with zoom on West Chester.
    "School Boundary Adjustment Draft SK8C - Current Boundaries with Zones of Change Archived 2018-09-26 at the Wayback Machine" (Secondary). West Chester Area School District. Retrieved on September 26, 2018.
  46. ^ "Attendance/District Boundary Maps" (PDF). West Chester Area School District. Retrieved 2023-12-29. - Accessed from here, PDF capture with zoom on West Chester
  47. ^ "School Boundary Adjustment Draft SK8C - Current Boundaries with Zones of Change Archived 2018-09-26 at the Wayback Machine" (Elementary). West Chester Area School District. Retrieved on September 26, 2018.
  48. ^ "About". St. Agnes School. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  49. ^ a b c "West Chester Area Council of Governments Map Archived 2018-09-26 at the Wayback Machine." On the website of West Goshen Township. Retrieved on September 26, 2018. Includes maps of various townships around West Chester borough.
  50. ^ "School". SS. Peter and Paul Parish. Retrieved 2020-04-23. Saints Peter & Paul School 1327 Boot Road West Chester, PA 19380 - Compare with the township maps.
  51. ^ "History". SS. Peter and Paul Parish. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  52. ^ "Home". SS. Simon and Jude School. Retrieved 2020-04-23. Saints Simon and Jude School 6 Cavanaugh Court West Chester, PA 19382 - Compare with the township map
  53. ^ "Home". St. Maximilian Kolbe School. Retrieved 2020-04-23. School Address St. Maximilian Kolbe School 300 Daly Drive West Chester, PA 19382 - Compare with the township map
  54. ^ "North Campus Map." West Chester University. Retrieved on October 9, 2018. See: "West Chester Area Council of Governments Map Archived 2018-09-26 at the Wayback Machine."
  55. ^ "Chester County". Delaware County Community College. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  56. ^ "Home". West Chester Public Library. Retrieved 2022-10-19. 415 N. Church Street West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
  57. ^ "THE 15 BEST Things to Do in West Chester - 2023 (with Photos)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  58. ^ "Historic Towns". VisitPA. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
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