Washington Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Washington Township is a township in eastern Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,810 at the 2010 census.

Washington Township
Barto Bridge in Washington Township
Barto Bridge in Washington Township
Motto: 
"Continuing the Vision/Preserving the Values"
Location of Washington Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Location of Washington Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Washington Township is located in Pennsylvania
Washington Township
Washington Township
Location of Washington Township in Pennsylvania
Washington Township is located in the United States
Washington Township
Washington Township
Washington Township (the United States)
Coordinates: 40°23′00″N 75°37′59″W / 40.38333°N 75.63306°W / 40.38333; -75.63306
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyBerks
Area
 • Total
14.0 sq mi (36 km2)
 • Land14.0 sq mi (36 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
554 ft (169 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
3,810
 • Estimate 
(2016)[1]
4,023
 • Density239.2/sq mi (92.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
18041, mainly 19504, 19505
Area Code610 and 484
FIPS code42-011-81184
Websitewww.washtwpberks.org/index.asp

History

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The Barto Bridge, Borneman Mill, Philip Christman House, and Dale Furnace and Forge Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

Washington Township is named in honor of George Washington, first US President.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36.3 km2), all land. It is drained by the Perkiomen Creek into the Schuylkill River. The northwestern portion is located in the South Mountains. Washington Township's villages include Barto, Clayton (also in Hereford Township), Dale, Shultzville, and Eshbach.

Adjacent municipalities

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The township has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and is in hardiness zone 6b. The average monthly temperature in Barto ranges from 29.4 °F in January to 74.2 °F in July.[3]

Washington Township surrounds the boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19802,569
19902,7999.0%
20003,35419.8%
20103,81013.6%
2016 (est.)4,023[1]5.6%
Source: US Census Bureau

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,354 people, 1,212 households, and 970 families living in the township. The population density was 239.2 inhabitants per square mile (92.4/km2). There were 1,250 housing units at an average density of 89.2 per square mile (34.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.88% White, 0.75% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 1,212 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.5% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $53,241, and the median income for a family was $60,054. Males had a median income of $37,951 versus $26,298 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,454. About 2.1% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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Legislators

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Board of Supervisors

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  • David Moyer, Chairman
  • Thomas Powanda, Vice Chairman
  • James Roma

Recreation

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One parcel of the Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 315 is located on Forge Dale Road north of Barto, a second parcel is located along the northern border with Hereford Township.[5][6]

Transportation

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PA 100 northbound in Washington Township

As of 2019, there were 46.55 miles (74.91 km) of public roads in Washington Township, of which 13.51 miles (21.74 km) were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 33.04 miles (53.17 km) were maintained by the township.[7]

Pennsylvania Route 100 crosses Washington Township north-to-south on its path from Lehigh County to Pottstown via Bally. Other local roads of note include Barto Road, County Line Road, Forgedale Road, Hoffmansville Road, Old Route 100, and Niantic Road.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". prism.oregonstate.edu.
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/advanced-viewer/ The National Map, retrieved 2 November 2018
  6. ^ Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 315, retrieved 2 November 2018
  7. ^ "Washington Township map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
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