Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.9 km²), of which, 14.6 square miles (37.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.61%) is water.

Union Township is borderd by Penn Township to the north. The Susquehanna River forms the eastern border of the township with Northumberland County. Union Township is bordered by Chapman Township to the south and Washington Township to the west.

The census-designated place of Port Trevorton lies partially in the southern reaches of Union Township along the Susquehanna River and U.S. Route.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,519 people, 506 households, and 389 families residing in the township. The population density was 104.3 people per square mile (40.3/km²). There were 530 housing units at an average density of 36.4/sq mi (14.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.08% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 506 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the township the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $38,958, and the median income for a family was $41,830. Males had a median income of $29,050 versus $19,881 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,115. About 8.9% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Selinsgrove Area School District is the local public school. There are approximately 2900 students clustered on a campus located in Selinsgrove borough. Selinsgrove Area High School has about 960 students in grades 9-12. The Selinsgrove Area Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 using a team teaching approach. Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School has students grades 3-5. Primary grades are at Selinsgrove Area Elementary School. Kindergarten is located at Jackson Penn School. Public School busing is provided. The district is working towards providing All Day Kindergarten in 2007-2008. Officials are using this as an opportunity to further consolidate the district by renovating and enlarging Selinsgrove Elementary School and closing Jackson-Penn Elementary School. Enrollment in the district is declining and is projected to continue to decline for the next decade. SASD Demographic report PreK-12 school statistics Enrollment Projections

SUN Area Technical Institute New Berlin, Union County, PA 17855 (570) 966-1031. SUN Tech is a regional school that provides area students with skills needed to compete in today’s job market and receive consideration for advanced college placement. SUN Tech also offers adult education classes, vocational education, and technical career training, serving over 1500 people annually. ISO9001 and Middle States Accredited. SUN Tech was presented with the Significant Achievement Award in Education for raising its Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award score to 648 points, a 345-point increase from 303 points in August, 2000.

Residents also have a wide selection of alternative schools. By law, the local public school must provide transportation to schools within 10 miles of the borders of the school district at no charge to the student.

St Monica School 109 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801 Northumberland County Phone: (570) 286-5983 is a parochial school providing a first class education to grades: PreK through 8th grade. Their enrollment is about 180. Noncatholics regularly seek admission to this school.

Sunbury Christian Academy 135 Spruce Hollow Road, Northumberland, PA 17857. (570) 473-7592 An Association of Christian Schools International member offering pre Kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum. The Academy is a state approved Christian school. All the teachers are certified. This program is highly respected in the area as a sound alternative to the public system. Busing is provided from seven area school districts.

Northumberland Christian School 351 Fifth Street Northumberland, PA 17857 570-473-9786. NCS was founded in 1972 and is a ministry of the First Regular Baptist Church of Northumberland, Pa. The school offers a full educational program for students from preschool through high school.

SusQ-Cyber Charter School provides students in grades 9-12 with an electronically delivered accredited high school curriculum.

21st century Cyber Charter School A state accredited, diploma granting school serving Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12. As with all charter schools it is funded by the state of Pennsylvania. There is no fee to attend. Modifications are made to suit individual student learning styles, varying academic levels and scheduling needs, among others. Most classes are offered in honors, college prep, and career paths. All of the classes are designed to help prepare the students for standardized tests such as the PSSAs.

Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation - CPDLF K - 12 program.

The Pennsylvania Distance & Electronic Learning Academy (PDELA) offers a complete K-12 academic program to assist families that want to educate their children at home.

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School provides a free and appropriate course of study to the children of Pennsylvania families. The school provides a high-quality, accredited courses of study, certified teachers, and state-of-the-art technology. PA Cyber has established the highest standards of student achievement and educational standards using both technology and regular contact among students, parents and staff. Parents of cyber school students do not pay tuition. The public school district where the student resides pays tuition with state and local tax money through a state formula.

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 serves the region from Montandon, PA.

Triangle Tech Sunbury School located in Upper Augusta Township on Rt. 890 just off Route 61. (570) 988-0700. A two-year college that awards associate degrees and courses toward a bachelor's program. Has about 200 students.

Empire Beauty School Orchard Hills Plaza RTE 11 & 15, Shamokin Dam, PA. (570) 743-1410. This school provides an accredited and licensed program to prepare students for a career in cosmetology.

Libraries

The Selinsgrove Community Library is a public library that is part of the Snyder County Library system. Patrons have free use of the PA Power Library and Access Pennsylvania which provide extensive onlline resources for children and adults. The library is on the corner of High Street and Pine Street, one block west of Market Street in downtown Selinsgrove. A small book exchange cart is hosted in the U.S. Post Office building on Rte 11&15, Shamokin Dam and in the Monroe Township Post Office.

Snyder County Historical Society 30 East Market St., Middleburg, PA.17842 570-837-6191 10207|Museum and Library Research services are provided for a fee.

Degenstein Community Library 40 South Fifth Street, Sunbury, Northumberland County, PA 17801 570-286-2461

The State Library of Pennsylvania Commonwealth & Walnut Sts., Harrisburg, PA. This library provides information for State Government and citizens, collects and preserves Pennsylvania's written heritage through materials published for, by, and about Pennsylvania.