Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Geography

The township is in northeastern Cumberland County and is bordered to the north by Perry County, the border following the ridgecrest of Blue Mountain. The southeast corner of the township borders the borough of Mechanicsburg.

Conodoguinet Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, crosses the center of the township from west to east, making several long bends. Interstate 81 also crosses the center of the township, with access from Exit 57, Pennsylvania Route 114. U.S. Route 11 crosses the township south of I-81, passing through the two main unincorporated communities in the township, Hogestown and New Kingstown. The Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) crosses the southwest corner of the township but without any direct access.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.8 square miles (85.0 km²), of which 32.3 square miles (83.7 km²) is land and 0.50 square miles (1.3 km²), or 1.55%, is water.

Unincorporated communities in Silver Spring Township:

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,592 people, 4,061 households, and 3,102 families residing in the township. The population density was 325.8 people per square mile (125.8/km²). There were 4,185 housing units at an average density of 128.7/sq mi (49.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.15% White, 0.37% African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 4,061 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $54,932, and the median income for a family was $63,828. Males had a median income of $45,152 versus $29,821 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,728. About 1.4% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Retail

Many major retail shopping developments are located in Silver Spring township. Most are located along the highly traveled Carlisle Pike (U.S. Route 11) which serves as a major traffic route through the township connecting it to nearby Hampden Township, the most populous township in Cumberland County.

Township agencies

Advisory Boards, Committees & Councils