Doylestown, Pennsylvania
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Doylestown is the name of both a borough and the adjacent township located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 8,227, and the township a population of 16,747. The borough is the county seat of Bucks CountyTemplate:GR.
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History
Doylestown was first settled by William Doyle in 1745, who established a tavern at what is now the corner of Main and State Streets. In 1813, the county seat was moved from Newtown because of Doylestown's more central location within the county. In 1857, after much lobbying, the North Pennsylvania Railroad opened a branch line into Doylestown. The town was also located on the trolley line from Philadelphia to Easton. As a result of this abundant transportation, central location and its residential and commercial appeal the town flourished.
Doylestown grew steadily through the 20th century, establishing itself as a home to predominantly upper and middle class families.
Personalities
Doylestown is known for being the home of author James Michener, architect and eccentric Henry Chapman Mercer, lyricist and playwright Oscar Hammerstein II, author Pearl S. Buck, short-lived pop icon Justin Guarini, anthropologist Margaret Mead, actor Timothy Stack, and the international pop star Pink (musician).
Geography
Doylestown is located at Template:Coor dms (40.312756, -75.128799)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 5.6 km² (2.2 mi²). 5.6 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 8,227 people, 3,952 households, and 1,908 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,477.4/km² (3,822.5/mi²). There are 4,055 housing units at an average density of 728.2/km² (1,884.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.04% White, 1.30% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.42% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,952 households out of which 19.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% are married couples living together, 7.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 51.7% are non-families. 44.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 22.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.98 and the average family size is 2.82.
In the borough the population is spread out with 16.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 75.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $46,148, and the median income for a family is $71,988. Males have a median income of $48,553 versus $31,703 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $32,249. 4.4% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Transportation
Doylestown is connected to Philadelphia by SEPTA's R5 Regional Rail Line and 55 bus. Doylestown Station is the last stop on the R5 line.
References
- DoylestownBorough.net (http://www.doylestownborough.net)
- Doylestown.net (http://doylestown.net)
- Doylestown Township Official Website (http://doylestownpa.org)