Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania
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Upper Dublin Township is an upper middle class township located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Although many of the residents are somewhat wealthy (39% of households and almost half of families have incomes of over $100,000), almost a fifth of the residents make less than the national median household income. The township has a large Jewish community and a significant Asian population. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 25,878.
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History
Upper Dublin dates back to the Colonies in 1684, when Edward Tanner named his land grant from William Penn "Upper and Lower Dublin". The "lower" portion has since been absorbed by Philadelphia. The "upper" portion has continued to exist around the original survey for the laying out and naming of Susquehanna Road. Upper Dublin Township was formally created on September 10,1784 and granted its current status of First Class Township in the State of Pennsylvania on January 1, 1946. Originally the area started as a farming community with additional activity in the mining of limestone. Limekiln Pike today continues to be an important travel artery. Historically the Township boasts of George Washington's headquarters at the Emlen House in 1777. This was during the Whitemarsh Encampment, prior to the fateful march to Valley Forge. George Emlen, a Philadelphia Quaker, had built this family summer house around 1745. Earthworks were once constructed on Militia Hill and Camp Hill(named for the army tents that dotted the hill.) This was a temporary Patriot encampment during the Whitemarsh Campaign, after the Battle of Germantown and before Valley Forge.
Business and industry
The primary center of business and industry in the Township is the Fort Washington Office Park. It occupies 536 acres (2.2 km²). There is about 6 million square feet (560,000 m²) of building area in the park. There are more than 65 buildings of various sizes up to 658,535 square feet (61,000 m²). The Fort Washington Office Park contains the Fort Washington Expo Center ( the largest single floor center of its type on the East coast), Honeywell, CDNow, Aetna, NCO, and GE Financial to name a few. There are other centers of business and industry as well throughout the Township.
The residents and businesses of Upper Dublin are protected by the Upper Dublin Police Department and the Fort Washington Fire Company.
Government
Upper Dublin became a First Class Township in 1946. In accordance with the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code, the elected representatives (Commissioners) serve 4 year terms. The government is a Council/Manager type. There are seven Commissioners, one for each ward. The Commissioners from odd numbered wards stand for election in 1999, 2003, etc. and the even numbered wards in 2001, 2005 etc. The manager runs the day to day operations with his staff. There are 7 departments: Administration, Finance, Public Works, Police, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and Fleet & Facilities (Motor Pool). The fire protection is provided primarily by the Fort Washington Fire Company No. 1 which is an all volunteer organization with dispatch from the Montgomery County central station.
Education
Upper Dublin Township is served by the School District of Upper Dublin, a separate governmental body guided by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It has a Board of School Directors elected by the residents with the power to levy taxes within state guidelines. A superintendent is in charge of day to day operations as well as strategic planning.
There are four elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8) and one high school (9-12) which are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The professional staff has an average of 16 years teaching experience and approximately 85 percent hold advanced degrees.
The four elementary schools are Fort Washington Elementary School, Maple Glen Elementary School, Jarrettown Elementary School, and Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School; the middle school is Sandy Run Middle School, and the high school is Upper Dublin High School. Upper Dublin High School is considered to be one of the best-performing public schools in Pennsylvania, with the fifth highest combined score average on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) in the state. The high school has been recognized three times by the United States Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
The township is also home to a number of private schools and the Temple University Ambler campus.
Youth Sports Organizations
The Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation (UDP&R) and the Upper Dublin School District (UDSD) work cooperatively with these organizations to provide facilities for practices, play and registration.
Independent groups within the community organize youth sports programs for Upper Dublin residents.
Programs are open to school-age children and youths. Ages vary by sport. Intramural and travel programs are offered.
Organizations
UPPER DUBLIN JUNIOR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (UDJAA) (http://www.udjaa.com/)
(215) 628-0666
T-ball, baseball and softball programs are offered in the spring, field hockey, youth football & cheerleading programs in the fall, basketball & cheerleading programs during the winter. Organization Meeting the third Wednesday of each month. Registrations February, March, May, September, October
UPPER DUBLIN SOCCER CLUB (UDSC) (http://www.udsc.org/Home/tabid/52/Default.aspx)
(215) 643-PLAY
Programs are offered each fall. Organization Meeting the second Wednesday of each month. Registrations April
CROOKED CROSSE LACROSSE CLUB (CCLC) (http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=cclc)
(215) 619-PLAY
Programs are offered each spring. Registration January
UPPER DUBLIN AQUATIC CLUB (UDAC) (http://www.udac.us/)
(215) 914-1100 team 3813
Competitive swimming is offered all winter. Registrations September
UPPER DUBLIN ICE HOCKEY CLUB
(215) 646-2677
(215) 830-0807
Competitive league play is offered year round.
Communities and neighborhoods
Upper Dublin is made up of several community areas, many of which are unincorporated areas in Montgomery County with no legal status, and are used primarily by the US Postal Service. These community areas are:
- Abington (19001)
- Ambler (19002)
- Ardsley (19038)
- Dresher (19025)
- Fort Washington (19034)
- Jarrettown (19025)
- Maple Glen (19002)
- North Hills (19038)
- Oreland (19075)
- Willow Grove (19090)
The township is also home to many upscale residential developments built in the eighties and nineties including but not limited to Belle Aire, Dawesfield, Dublin Chase, Dublin Estates, Dublin Hunt, Dublin Meadows, Dublin Woods, Dublyn Lea, Holly Hill, and Willowbrooke. Other neighborhoods include Ambler Highlands, Dresher Woods, Elliger Park, Old Fort Washington, Stuart Creek Farms, Tannerie Run, and the Woods Apartments.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.2 km² (13.2 mi²). 34.2 km² (13.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.15% water. Upper Dublin is also home to three golf courses. The township owns and operates Twining Valley Golf Club. Manufacturers Golf & Country Club is nestled on historic Camp Hill and is nationally known. Lu Lu Country Club is located in the South Eastern section of the township bordering Abington.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 25,878 people, 9,174 households, and 7,274 families residing in the township. The population density is 756.9/km² (1,960.7/mi²). There are 9,344 housing units at an average density of 273.3/km² (708.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 87.48% White, 5.42% African American, 0.09% Native American, 6.23% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,174 households out of which 38.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.4% are married couples living together, 7.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% are non-families. 17.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.78 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the township the population is spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township is $80,093, and the median income for a family is $91,418. Males have a median income of $68,353 versus $39,152 for females. The per capita income for the township is $37,994. 3.0% of the population and 2.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The ten most common ancestries of residents are Irish (21.3%), German (19.0%), Italian (14.2%), English (10.2%), Russian (8.7%), Asian (6.2%), Polish (6.0%), African American (5.4%) United States or American (4.0%), and French (2.0%).
The most common languages spoken at home after English (88.6%) are Korean (3.1%), Italian (1.7%), Chinese (1.5%), Spanish or Spanish Creole (1.0%), German (0.7%), and French (0.6%).
External links
- [Upper Dublin's official website (http://www.upperdublin.net)]
- [Upper Dublin School District (http://www.udsd.org)]
- [Upper Dublin High School SGA Official Website (http://www.udsga.tk)]