Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania

Geobox Township
name = Upper Darby Township
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Township

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image_caption = The streets of Upper Darby in the foreground


flag_size =
symbol =
symbol_size =
nickname = UD
motto =
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region = Delaware
region_type = County
district =
area_imperial = 7.9
area_land_imperial = 7.9
area_water_imperial = 0.0
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 39
lat_m = 57
lat_s = 30
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 18
long_s = 29
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 230
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 81821
population_density_imperial = 10397.7
population_density_round = 1
established_type =
established =
mayor = F. Raymond Shay
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code =
postal_code_type =
area_code = 610
area_code_type =
code2_type =
code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Upper Darby Township in Delaware County
map1 = Pennsylvania Locator Map.png map1_caption = Location of Upper Darby Township in Pennsylvania
map1_locator = Pennsylvania
map2 = Map of USA PA.svg
map2_caption = Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
website = http://www.upperdarby.org

Upper Darby Township is a township and the largest municipality in Delaware County and the 5th largest municipality in the state of Pennsylvania. It was founded during a split from Darby Township on August 30, 1736. However it was not incorporated under the home rule charter until 1907. Located just 5.8 miles from Center City, and bordering the Philadelphia city limits via Cobbs Creek, many of its residents work in the city. The east-west Philadelphia subway (the 'El') terminates at 69th street, Upper Darby's principal business district. Several trolley and bus lines connect 69th Street Terminal to the western suburbs of Philadelphia. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 81,821. By 2005, the population was estimated at 79,620.

Upper Darby is 65% residential, 25% commercial, and 8% other. Because of a home-rule charter adopted in the 1970s, the township utilizes a mayor-council form of management (other "First Class" townships in Pennsylvania have a board of commissioners divided into wards, and "Second Class" townships having a board of supervisors, which are usually elected "at-large"). The current mayor of Upper Darby is F. Raymond Shay.

It is the birthplace of singer, songwriter and record producer Todd Rundgren and two "Saturday Night Live" alumni- former head writer and cast member Tina Fey and cast member Cheri Oteri. Other notable residents include Lloyd Alexander, Jamie Kennedy, Vinnie Paz of Hip-Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks and Dr. Jack Ramsay.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.4 km²). The township lies on the edge of the Piedmont slightly above the City of Philadelphia (60 to 260 feet above sea level). The area is crossed by several small creeks. The borough of East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania is an enclave completely surrounded by Upper Darby Township; additionally, an exclave of Upper Darby Township is separated from the rest of the township.

The Census-Designated Place of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania and the Community of Primos, Pennsylvania are part of Upper Darby Township.

Adjacent municipalities

*Haverford Township, Delaware County - north
*Millbourne Borough, Delaware County - northeast
*City of Philadelphia - east
*East Lansdowne Borough, Delaware County - southeast
*Yeadon Borough, Delaware County - southeast
*Lansdowne Borough, Delaware County - south
*Darby Borough, Delaware County - south
*Aldan Borough, Delaware County - south
*Darby Township, Delaware County - south
*Ridley Township, Delaware County - southwest
*Springfield Township, Delaware County - west

History

Early settlement

The area was first settled in the late 1653 by a group of 100 Swedes. The abundance of creeks and streams in the area favored the development of mills and it was in Upper Darby that the first mills in Delaware County could be found. The mill trade greatly increased the population of Upper Darby, from just over 800 in 1800 to almost 5000 by 1890. The Swedish Cabin, thought to have been built in 1654, is located on Creek Road along the Darby Creek and is believed by many to be a remnant of the early Swedes, who introduced the log cabin to this area. Today the "Swedish Cabin" is designated with a Pennsylvania Historical Marker. The Cabin is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

Upper Darby Township was settled by Quakers and formed out of Darby Township in 1736. In 1798, Upper Darby was one of the several municipalities that voted to secede from Chester County and form a new county, hence Delaware County was established with the seat at Chester City.

19th and 20th centuries

In 1851 the seat was moved to Media, where it remains today. Reflecting its Quaker beginnings, Upper Darby was active in the antislavery movement. Many homes in the area were stops on the Underground Railroad. Two regiments from Upper Darby took part in the fighting in the American Civil War, and one, the 106th, was involved in the Battle of Antietam. The business district is noted for many fine examples of Art Deco style buildings. The 20th century saw a population explosion in Upper Darby. By the 1960s it ranked as the 7th most populous municipality in Pennsylvania, eclipsing such towns as Harrisburg (the state capital), Chester and Bethlehem.

tate insect

In the early 1970s, students from Highland Park Elementary School began a campaign to have the Pennsylvania Firefly declared the official state insect of Pennsylvania. With advice and support from state legislators, the students began a campaign that included letter writing, the circulation of petitions, and the distribution of bumper stickers. On April 10, 1974, Governor Milton J. Shapp signed their bill making the Pennsylvania Firefly their state's official insect. A couple of years later, Highland Park Elementary School was presented with a bronze plaque in honor of the students' achievement. [http://www.burger.com/fflink06.htm] Pennsylvania: The Keystone State] [http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Pennsylvania/Insect_Firefly.html] State Symbols USA: Pennsylvania State Insect]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 81,821 people, 32,551 households, and 20,474 families residing in the township. The population density was 10,397.7 people per square mile (4,014.1/km²). There were 34,322 housing units at an average density of 4,361.6/sq mi (1,683.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 77.27% White, 11.33% African American, 0.12% Native American, 8.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.64% of the population.

There were 32,551 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64 and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,489, and median income for a family was $52,500. Males had a median income of $38,090 versus $30,416 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,770. About 7.3% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Upper Darby Township's Public Education is served by the Upper Darby School District. In all, the 12 Public Schools plus the Kindergarten Center serve nearly 12,000 students. Upper Darby High School is the largest High School in the State of Pennsylvania with well over 4,000 students. In addition to the public school district, Upper Darby is home to several parochial and private schools of Children. Monsignor Bonner High School (for boys) and Archbishop Prendergast High School (for girls), both Roman Catholic, are the largest private schools in the Township. Both schools offer grades 9-12 with a combined enrollment close to 2,000 students. In addition to the two high schools, there are nine parochial primary and middle schools located in the Township including the St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments, with a combined enrollment of 2,867. Almost all of the private academic schools in the Township are administered by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia except for the Holy Child Academy, which is a Catholic academy run by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

Also available to residents of Upper Darby and surrounding areas is the [http://www.udaep.org Upper Darby Adult Evening Program] (UDAEP). UDAEP offers professional development and general education classes to township residents. UDAEP is an independent non-profit entity separate from the Upper Darby School District.

Public schools

*Upper Darby High School
*Beverly Hills Middle School
*Drexel Hill Middle School
*Aronimink Elementary School
*Bywood Elementary School
*Charles Kelly Elementary School (opened on September 4, 2007).
*Garretford Elementary School
*Highland Park Elementary School (see "State insect" section above}
*Hillcrest Elementary School
*Primos Elementary School
*Stonehurst Hills Elementary School
*Walter Senkow Elementary School
*Westbrook Park Elementary School
*Upper Darby Kindergarten Center (The former Drexel Hill Elementary School)

Parochial schools

*Monsignor Bonner High School for boys
*Archbishop Prendergast High School for girls
*Holy Child Academy
*Saint Andrew the Apostle School
*Saint Bernadette's School
*Saint Dorothy School
*Saint Laurence

References in popular culture

*The township is mentioned in the lyrics to "Get This Low" by Jedi Mind Tricks.
*The actress Heather Donahue, who appeared in the 1999 film "The Blair Witch Project" is also from Upper Darby.
*Actrees/Writer Tina Fey from "Saturday Night Live," "Mean Girls," "30 Rock," and "Baby Mama" is from Upper Darby.
*Actor Seth Green, best known for his voicing Chris Griffin on "Family Guy" is from Upper Darby.
*Actor Jamie Kennedy was also from Upper Darby.
*Musician/Producer Todd Rundgren is from Upper Darby.
*David Bowie recorded David Live at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby.

References

* Delaware County Today/Almanac: 81st Edition
* Delaware County Planning Department [http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/planning/gis.html]
* Upper Darby Township Comprehensive Plan
* [http://www.udhistory.org/saleitems.html History and Development of Upper Darby]

External links

* [http://www.upperdarby.org/ Upper Darby Township]
* [http://www.udaep.org Upper Darby Adult Evening Program]
* [http://www.delcolibraries.org/upperdarby/ Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Libraries]
* [http://www.udpac.org/ Upper Darby Performing Arts Center]
* [http://www.udpd.org/Index2.htm Upper Darby Police Department]
* [http://www.communityoutreachcorp.org/ Community Outreach of Christ Lutheran Church in Upper Darby]