Country United States Incorporated April 6, 1773 Area code(s) 724 Population 43,241 (2010) | State Pennsylvania Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) Zip code 15601 Local time Thursday 10:29 AM | |
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Weather 10°C, Wind W at 19 km/h, 27% Humidity Colleges and Universities Westland County Community College, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg | ||
Hempfield Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 43,241 at the 2010 census, making it the largest suburb in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area by population. Its name is taken from Hempfield in Lancaster County, which was formed in 1729 and is named after the hemp fields in the area.
Contents
Map of Hempfield Township, PA, USA
Located in west-central Westmoreland County, the township completely surrounds the city of Greensburg.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 76.8 square miles (199 km2), of which, 76.6 square miles (198 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it is water.
The township contains the following communities: Armbrust, Bovard, Carbon, Centerville, Darragh, Eastwood, Emmonston, Evanston, Fort Allen, Grapeville, Hannastown, Haydenville, High Park, Hunker, Lincoln Heights, Luxor, Maplewood Terrace, Midway, Radebaugh, St. Clair, Stonevilla, Swede Hill, White Hill, and West Point City.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,721 people, 15,997 households, and 11,597 families residing in the township. The population density was 531.5 people per square mile (205.2/km²). There were 16,799 housing units at an average density of 219.2/sq mi (84.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.42% White, 1.11% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.38% of the population.
There were 15,997 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $42,288, and the median income for a family was $52,440. Males had a median income of $39,001 versus $25,838 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,839. 6.0% of the population and 4.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
Public school students attend the Hempfield Area School District, which comprises Hempfield Township and the communities of Adamsburg, Armbrust, Bovard, Grapeville, Hunker, Luxor, Manor, New Stanton, and Youngwood. Students can also attend Greensburg Central Catholic High School. Hempfield Township is also the location of the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, the Youngwood campus of Westmoreland County Community College and the Greensburg campus of Carlow University.
Economy
Hempfield Township is a major economic player in Westmoreland County. As the retail hub for Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands region in particular, it is home to the popular Westmoreland Mall, the third largest shopping mall complex in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. In addition, Greengate Centre serves as the area's largest big-box retail center. Several smaller shopping centers, well-known national retailers and restaurants can also be found in the township.
Light industry can also be found within Hempfield Township including numerous industrial parks and facilities. RIDC Westmoreland straddles Hempfield and East Huntingdon townships.
2011 Tornado
On March 23, 2011, a funnel cloud briefly appeared over the central area of Hempfield Township southwest of the city of Greensburg just around 4:45 PM and eventually touched down as an EF2 tornado, causing widespread damage to scores of homes in the West Hempfield area as well as the Fort Allen neighborhood and in neighboring Sewickley Township. Hempfield Area High School was especially impacted with major damage to the auditorium's roof and stadium as was nearby Harrold Middle School.