Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania
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Castle Shannon is a borough located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 8,556.
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History
The first families settled Castle Shannon in 1786 in pursuit of farmland and timber. The most prominent farm was owned by David Strawbridge, which he named Castle Shanahan. Over time, the farm would lend its name to the area, as "Shanahan" would evolve into "Shannon."
In 1871, a railroad from Pittsburgh to Castle Shannon was built. Development was stimulated by free two-year passes for the railroad given to anybody building a home. In 1877, a second railroad was built from Finleyville through Castle Shannon to the West End of Pittsburgh. In 1909, the right of way through the valley containing Castle Shannon was purchased by Pittsburgh Railroad. This helped lead to Castle Shannon becoming a center for coal mining. The Pittsburgh and West Virginia railroad, still active today, came shortly after.
The First National Bank in Castle Shannon was the site of a much publicized bank robbery in 1917. $18,500 was taken in the robbery, of which $10,500 was immediately recovered from one man shot during the escape. The full sum was never recovered.
Castle Shannon was incorporated as a borough in 1919, formed from parts of Baldwin, Mt. Lebanon, and Bethel Township.
Geography
Castle Shannon is located at 40°21'55" North, 80°1'11" West (40.365149, -80.019850)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²). 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 8,556 people, 3,859 households, and 2,288 families residing in the borough. The population density is 2,026.7/km² (5,259.8/mi²). There are 4,037 housing units at an average density of 956.3/km² (2,481.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.91% White, 1.34% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,859 households out of which 23.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% are married couples living together, 10.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% are non-families. 35.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.20 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the borough the population is spread out with 19.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $38,040, and the median income for a family is $48,586. Males have a median income of $33,013 versus $27,907 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $20,518. 7.7% of the population and 5.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Castle Shannon Borough (http://borough.castle-shannon.pa.us/findex.htm)