Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is adjacent to Philadelphia's northern fringe.[6] The population was 58,502 as of the 2020 census, making it the second most populous township in Montgomery County after Lower Merion Township. The population density is 3603.3 per square mile (1,377/km2), making it the second most densely populated township in Montgomery County after Cheltenham Township.

Not to be confused with North Abington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania; South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania; or West Abington Township, Pennsylvania.
Abington Township
Township
Abington Township High School
Abington Township High School
Flag of Abington Township
Flag
Seal of Abington Township
Seal
Location of Abington Township in Montgomery County
Location of Abington Township in Montgomery County
Abington Township is located in Pennsylvania
Abington Township
Abington Township
Location of Abington in Pennsylvania
Abington Township is located in the United States
Abington Township
Abington Township
Abington Township (the United States)
Coordinates: 40°06′00″N 75°05′59″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyMontgomery
First Established1704
Incorporated1704
Government
[2]
 • President of the Board of CommissionersThomas Hecker
Area
[3]
 • Total15.52 sq mi (40.2 km2)
 • Land15.52 sq mi (40.2 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
[1]
282 ft (86 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total58,502
 • Estimate 
(2022-07-01)[5]
58,460
 • Density3,800/sq mi (1,500/km2)
DemonymAbingtonian
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
19001, 19006, 19027, 19038, 19046, 19090
Area codes215, 267, and 445
FIPS code42-091-00156
Websiteabingtonpa.gov

Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities, dating back before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704.[7] It is home to some of the county's oldest transportation routes, industries and churches. Many of these older business and transportation centers were the forerunners of modern Abington. Abington contains the Willow Grove Park Mall, several small businesses, and a few of Montgomery County's largest employers.[2]

History
See also: Battle of White Marsh

The land that comprises Abington today was purchased from the native Lenape by William Penn during the 1680s. By the next decade, a handful of European settlers built and lived in Hill Township, at the crossroads of Susquehanna Street Road and Old York Road. After brief times under other names, the township incorporated as Abington in 1704. The town's name is likely taken from parishes in England formed over 900 years ago in Northamptonshire or Cambridgeshire.[8] A local 1734 census counted 42 resident landowners.[9] During the American Revolutionary War, there was a small battle that took place at Edge Hill.

Some institutions have been in Abington for most of its existence. The cornerstone of the original Abington Friends School, in operation since before Abington's incorporation, is used in today's school building. The Abington Presbyterian Church opened in the early years of the township, and while the original building is gone, its graveyard is still used today.

The railroad reached the township in 1855,[6] with the first station building erected in 1873 on the site of today's Noble Station.[8]

Abington Township High School and Fox Chase Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[10]

Geography
Pond in Alverthorpe Park

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40 km2), of which 15.4 square miles (40 km2) is land.

Communities

Abington Township comprises seventeen "communities" as follow alphabetically:

Communities:

The communities are unofficial, unincorporated subdivisions of the township, corresponding roughly to voting districts and elementary school placement. Their primary importance, aside from community identity, is the postal system (e.g., to send a letter to someone living in the Glenside community, the letter would be addressed to Glenside, Pennsylvania rather than Abington Township, Pennsylvania). Additionally, some portions of some of these subdivisions, including Ardsley, Glenside, Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, North Hills, Willow Grove, and Elkins Park, are actually in neighboring townships.[2]

Local civic associations include Crestmont Civic Association, Glenside Gardens Civic Association, Hollywood Civic Association, Lower Huntingdon Valley Civic Association, McKinley Civic Association, Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association and Tall Trees Association. The civic associations work together on Traffic Summits in even years (2012, 2014, 2016, etc.) and Economic Summits in odd years (2013, 2015, 2017, etc.). These Summits focus on eliminating traffic congestion that interferes with the growth of businesses in the Township. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Traffic Calming Handbook recommends the formation of a Local Traffic Advisory Committee to work with officials to identify ways to improve safety of the community.

Climate data for Abington Township, Pennsylvania
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 37
(3)		 42
(6)		 50
(10)		 62
(17)		 72
(22)		 81
(27)		 85
(29)		 84
(29)		 77
(25)		 65
(18)		 54
(12)		 43
(6)		 63
(17)
Average low °F (°C) 21
(−6)		 42
(6)		 32
(0)		 41
(5)		 51
(11)		 63
(17)		 67
(19)		 65
(18)		 56
(13)		 43
(6)		 34
(1)		 26
(−3)		 45
(7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.44
(87)		 3.01
(76)		 4.32
(110)		 4.12
(105)		 4.37
(111)		 4.60
(117)		 5.05
(128)		 3.98
(101)		 4.53
(115)		 3.82
(97)		 3.94
(100)		 4.23
(107)		 49.41
(1,254)
Source: The Weather Channel[11]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18902,703—    
19003,803+40.7%
19105,896+55.0%
19208,684+47.3%
193018,648+114.7%
194020,857+11.8%
195028,988+39.0%
196055,831+92.6%
197063,625+14.0%
198058,836−7.5%
199056,322−4.3%
200056,103−0.4%
201055,310−1.4%
202058,502+5.8%
Source:[12][13]

As of the 2010 census, the township was 79.7% White, 12.4% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.9% Asian, and 2.1% were two or more races. 3.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[14]

As of 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated there were 55,234 people, 21,252 occupied households, and 14,819 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,563 inhabitants per square mile (1,376/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 80% White, 12% Black, 3% Asian, a fraction of a percent Pacific Islander, 1% from other races, and 3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.

There were 21,252 households, out of which 32% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 11% had a female householder with no husband present, 56% were married couples living together, and 30% were non-families. 26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 22% under the age of 18, 9% from 18 to 24, 25% from 25 to 44, 29% from 45 to 64, and 16% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. The population was 47% male, and 53% female.

The median income for a household in the township was $77,363, and the median income for a family was $94,473. The per capita income for the township was $38,737. About 2% of families and 3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1% of those under age 18 and 5% of those age 65 or over.[4]

Government
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic
2020 30.6% 11,325 67.8% 25,079
2016 30.5% 9,983 65.0% 21,287
2012 35.7% 11,253 63.1% 19,871
2008 34.4% 11,244 64.8% 21,210
2004 38.0% 12,116 61.7% 19,667
2000 38.4% 10,808 59.0% 16,586
1996 37.2% 9,670 53.6% 13,933
1992 37.9% 13,933 46.3% 13,736

Abington Township does not have a mayor. Rather it is governed by a Board of Commissioners who are elected one from each of the township's fifteen wards. A President of the Board is elected from among these commissioners, and serves as the head of government for Abington Township. Thomas Hecker is the current Commission President.[2]

All of the township is in the Fourth Congressional District and is represented by Rep. Madeleine Dean (D).

All of the township falls within the 4th Senatorial District in the Pennsylvania Senate and is Represented by Art Haywood (D).

All of the township falls within the 153rd Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives and is represented by Ben Sanchez (D).

In 2004, Pennsylvanian political scientists Dr. G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young identified Abington Township as an especially interesting political bellwether — a local area "looked to for early readings of how national elections will turn out."[16]

Economy
The Willow Grove Park Mall is located in Abington Township

The economy of the township includes manufacturing of pressed steel, chemicals, and metal and plastic products.[6]

Top employers

According to Abington Township's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[17] the top employers in the township are:

# Employer # of Employees Community
1 Abington Memorial Hospital 4,195 Abington
2 Holy Redeemer Health System 2,061 Huntingdon Valley
3 Willow Grove Park Mall 2,025 Willow Grove
4 Abington School District 1,073 Abington
5 SPS Technologies 822 Abington
6 Penn State Abington 638 Abington
7 Abington Township 606 Abington
8 Macy's & Bloomingdale's 460 Willow Grove
9 Giant 337 Roslyn
10 Target 228 Abington

Parks and recreation
Crestmont Pool

The Abington Township Parks and Recreation Department controls over 20 parks located within the township.[18] Alverthorpe Park is only open to township residents and guests of township residents and contains sports fields, trails, picnic areas, a playground, a lake, camping, a par-3 golf course, and mini-golf.[19] Other parks and natural areas in the township include Ardsley Community Center, Ardsley Park, Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary, Briar Bush Nature Center, Crestmont Park, Crosswicks Bird Sanctuary, Edge Hill Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, Karebrook Nature Area, Lorimer Park, Meadowbrook Bird Sanctuary, Patrick Kerr Memorial Skate Park, Penbryn Park, and several others.[18] The township has two public swimming pools: Crestmont Pool and Penbryn Pool.[20] The Abington Township Parks and Recreation Department also offers discount tickets to amusement parks, aquariums, zoos, ski resorts, movies, museums, and water parks.[21]

Infrastructure

Transportation
PA 611 southbound in Abington Township

As of 2018 there were 211.99 miles (341.16 km) of public roads in Abington Township, of which 29.35 miles (47.23 km) were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 182.64 miles (293.93 km) were maintained by the township.[22]

Numbered routes serving Abington Township include Pennsylvania Route 611, which passes north–south through the center of the township on Old York Road between Jenkintown and Willow Grove; Pennsylvania Route 63, which passes northwest–southeast through the northern part of the township in the Willow Grove area along Moreland Road (following the border with Upper Moreland Township), Edge Hill Road, and Old Welsh Road; Pennsylvania Route 73; which runs northwest–southeast atop the southern border with Cheltenham Township along Township Line Road between Jenkintown and Northeast Philadelphia; Pennsylvania Route 152, which passes north–south through the western part of the township along Limekiln Pike; and Pennsylvania Route 232; which passes north–south through the eastern part of the township along Huntingdon Pike between Rockledge and Huntingdon Valley. Other important roads in Abington Township include Easton Road, which runs southwest–northeast through the western part of the township between Glenside and Willow Grove; Susquehanna Road, which runs northwest–southeast through the center of the township between Roslyn and Huntingdon Valley; and Jenkintown Road, which runs northwest–southeast through the southern part of the township between Ardsley and Elkins Park, passing through Jenkintown along the way.[23] Abington Township is one of twelve municipalities in Pennsylvania to have red light cameras, which are aimed at improving safety at dangerous intersections. Red light cameras are located at Old York Road and Susquehanna Road (all directions), Old York Road and Old Welsh Road (all directions), and Moreland Road and Fitzwatertown Road (eastbound Moreland Road and northbound Fitzwatertown Road).[24]

A SEPTA Regional Rail train on the West Trenton Line stops at the Noble station in Abington Township
Abington Township Building and Police Headquarters, with Center City Philadelphia in the background.

Several SEPTA Regional Rail stations are located in Abington Township, providing commuter rail service to Center City Philadelphia. The Lansdale/Doylestown Line stops at the North Hills station, the Warminster Line stops at Crestmont, Roslyn, and Ardsley stations, and the West Trenton Line stops at Meadowbrook, Rydal, and Noble stations. The Glenside station serving the Lansdale/Doylestown Line and Warminster Line is located just outside the township's borders in Cheltenham Township. SEPTA provides bus service to Abington Township along City Bus Routes 22, 24, 28, 55, 77, 80, 88, 310, and 311 and Suburban Bus Route 95, serving area shopping centers, hospitals, and employers, along with offering connections to Philadelphia and other suburbs.[25]

Utilities

Electricity and natural gas in Abington Township is provided by PECO Energy Company, a subsidiary of Exelon.[26][27][28] Water in Abington Township is provided by Aqua Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Aqua America.[29] Sewer service is provided by the township's Wastewater Utilities Department, with wastewater treated either at the Abington Wastewater Treatment Plant or the Philadelphia Northeast Treatment Plant.[30] Trash and recycling collection is provided by the township's Refuse/Recycling Department.[31] Cable, telephone, and internet service to the area is provided by Xfinity and Verizon. Abington Township is served by area codes 215, 267, and 445.[32]

Health care
Jefferson Abington Hospital

Jefferson Abington Hospital and Holy Redeemer Hospital and are both located in Abington Township. Jefferson Abington Hospital, located along Old York Road in the Abington section of the township, has 665 beds and over 5,500 employees, including more than 1,100 physicians, and is one of the largest employers in Montgomery County. It has the Pennock Emergency Trauma Center, an emergency room with the only Level II trauma center in Montgomery County. Other services offered at Jefferson Abington Hospital include The Heart and Vascular Institute, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health-Abington, Neurosciences Institute, Orthopaedic and Spine Institute, Diamond Stroke Center, Muller Institute for Senior Health, and the Institute for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Jefferson Abington Hospital is a non-profit, regional referral center and teaching hospital with five residency programs and operates the Dixon School of Nursing.[33] Holy Redeemer Hospital, located along Huntingdon Pike in the Meadowbrook section of the township, has 242 beds and employs over 500 physicians. Services offered at Holy Redeemer Hospital include an Ambulatory Surgery Center, a Cardiovascular Center, The Bott Cancer Center, Orthopaedics, Emergency Department, and Wound Care Center.[34]

Education

Schools
Abington Senior High School

Abington is served by the Abington School District. There are seven elementary schools in this township, which include:

  • Copper Beech (1,156 students)[35]
  • McKinley (754)
  • Rydal (636)
  • Highland (500)
  • Overlook (587)
  • Roslyn (511)
  • Willow Hill (425)

The middle school (grades 6–8) is Abington Middle School (formerly the Abington Junior High School, grades 7-9) and the senior high (grades 9–12) is Abington Senior High School (formerly grades 10-12).

There are several private schools located inside the township, such as Meadowbrook and Abington Friends School. Penn State's Abington campus is located in the Rydal section of the township.

The school district received some notoriety in the 1960s when it became one of the key parties in the school prayer controversy, with Abington School District v. Schempp. The Supreme Court case resulted in a declaration of the unconstitutionality of school-sanctioned Bible reading.

The Elementary Schools, Junior High School, and Senior High school within Abington School District have recently undergone a series of renovations and rebuilding, resulting in more up-to-date and sophisticated structures.

Area Catholic schools include Saint Luke Catholic School in Glenside and Abington Township, and Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School in Willow Grove and Upper Moreland Township. Queen of Angels was formed in 2012 by the merger of Our Lady Help of Christians in Abington and St. David in Willow Grove.

Penn State opened the Ogontz Campus in 1950, which was renamed to Penn State Abington.[6]

Notable people

References
  1. "Township of Abington". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  2. "Abington Township Website". Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  3. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 14, 2017.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  5. "US Census Estimates". Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  6. Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Abington". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. I: A-ak Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. pp. 33. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
  7. "About Abington | Abington Township, PA". www.abingtonpa.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  8. Shaffer, Helen L. (April 1976). "A Tour of Old Abington, Bicentennial Edition". Abington Civic Club. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
  9. Edward W. Hocker; et al. (1956). "A History of the Abington Township" (PDF). The Board of Commissioners of the Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  10. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  11. "Monthly Averages for Abington, PA (19001)". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  12. "U.S. Census Bureau". Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  13. "Census 2020".
  14. Census 2010: Pennsylvania. Usatoday.Com. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
  15. "Montgomery County Election Results". Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  16. Madonna, GT; Young, M (June 30, 2004). "Pennsylvania's Crystal Ball". Politically Uncorrected Column. Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Politics & Public Affairs. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  17. Township of Abington CAFR Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  18. "Parks and Facilities". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  19. "Alverthorpe Park". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  20. "Pool Information". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  21. "Discount Tickets". Township of Abington. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  22. "Abington Township map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  23. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (Map) (18th ed.). 1"=2000'. ADC Map. 2006. ISBN 0-87530-775-2.
  24. "Red Light Cameras". Abington Township Police Department. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  25. SEPTA Official Transit & Street Map Suburban (PDF) (Map). SEPTA. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  26. "PECO: Company Information". PECO Energy Company. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  27. "Electric Service Tariff" (PDF). PECO Energy Company. July 17, 2017. p. 4. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  28. "Gas Service Tariff" (PDF). PECO Energy Company. August 30, 2017. p. 2. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  29. "Rates and Rules Governing the Distribution of Water" (PDF). Aqua Pennsylvania. March 11, 2013. p. 3. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  30. "Wastewater Treatment". Abington Township. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  31. "Refuse/Recycling". Abington Township. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  32. Area Code 215 and 267 Map (PDF) (Map). Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  33. "About Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health". Abington-Jefferson Health. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  34. "Services". Holy Redeemer. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  35. "Future Ready PA Index - District Fast Facts - Abington SD". futurereadypa.org. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  36. Otterbein, Holly (September 16, 2022). "Josh Shapiro Puts His Faith at the Center of Campaign Against Mastriano". POLITICO. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  37. Scout.com: Shawn Wooden Profile. Hou.scout.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
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