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Susquehanna Township, PA

Susquehanna Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,736 at the time of the 2020 census. This represents a 9.8% increase from the 2000 census count of 21,895. Susquehanna Township has the postal ZIP codes 17109 and 17110, which maintain the Harrisburg place name designation. The township is a suburb of Harrisburg and is connected to Marysville by the Rockville Bridge, the world's longest stone-arch rail bridge at the time of its completion.

Susquehanna Township is located adjacent to the city of Harrisburg in Dauphin County. It was named from the Susquehanna River which runs along its western edge.

On June 4, 1785, the state legislature created Dauphin County from part of Lancaster County. By that time, the territory of today's Dauphin County had been divided among the townships of Derry, Londonderry, Lower Paxtang, and Upper Paxtang. The spelling "Paxtang" is from the original Indian name Peshtank, which meant "standing water" and further morphed into "Paxton." Susquehanna Township was incorporated from part of Lower Paxtang on May 1, 1815.

The first settlement where Susquehanna Township now lies was known as "Coxestown" and was laid out by Dr. John Cox Jr. of Philadelphia on October 2, 1757. In honor of his wife, Ester, the town was renamed "Estherton" and was the second oldest town in Dauphin County (behind Middletown). In 1774, a second settlement, "Rockville", and a third in 1815, "Progress" were settled. On January 2, 1952, Susquehanna became a First Class township via the Dauphin County Court.

Up until the 1950s, the Pennsylvania State Police serviced the township, with a township room space in Progress once dedicated to them to use as a substation as a gesture of thanks. In September 1955, Charles S. Hill was sworn in as the first police officer, and he used his car for patrol duty. With continuing growth, he would become the first chief and by the early 1960s, there would be four officers.

The Rockville Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Susquehanna Township has a total area of 15.3 square miles (39.6 km²), of which 13.3 square miles (34.5 km²) is land and 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²), or 12.66%, is water. It is drained by the Susquehanna River, which separates it from Cumberland County and Perry County to the west. The north end of the township is on Blue Mountain, and Susquehanna Township's elevations range from approximately 300 feet (91 m) on the river to 1,150 feet (350 m) in the northeast.

The township's numbered roads include Interstate 81, U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 322, and Pennsylvania Route 39. Other local roads include Elmerton Avenue and Progress Avenue.

The township places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Barnes-Kasson Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Gold's Gym provides a comprehensive fitness experience with state-of-the-art equipment and personal training options. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For those who prefer outdoor activities, Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area offers hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities. Yoga practitioners can join classes at Just Plain Yoga, which offers a range of yoga styles for all skill levels. Omni Fitness Studio provides group fitness classes, including Zumba and Pilates. For relaxation and rejuvenation, visit The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, where you can enjoy a variety of spa treatments.

Top sites in  Susquehanna Township include Fort Hunter Mansion and Park, Salt Springs State Park, and The National Civil War Museum.

Population: 26,706 (2021). Elevation: 500 feet above sea level. Area: 15.27 sq mi (39.56 km²). ZIP Code: 17109. Area Code(s): 717.

FAQs

What county is Susquehanna Township, PA?

Susquehanna Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,736 at the time of the 2020 census. This represents a 9.8% increase from the 2000 census count of 21,895. Susquehanna Township has the postal ZIP codes 17109 and 17110, which maintain the Harrisburg place name designation. The township is a suburb of Harrisburg and is connected to Marysville by the Rockville Bridge, the world's longest stone-arch rail bridge at the time of its completion.

What are the demographics of Susquehanna Township, PA?

With 27,503 people, Susquehanna Township is the 53rd most populated city in the state of Pennsylvania out of 2,570 cities. The largest Susquehanna township racial/ethnic groups are White (51.4%) followed by Black (26.9%) and Asian (9.7%). In 2022, the median household income of Susquehanna Township households was $82,182. Susquehanna Township households made slightly more than Penn Township households ($82,143) and Southwest Madison households ($82,097). However, 5.5% of Susquehanna Township families live in poverty.

What is the crime rate in Susquehanna Township, PA?

Susquehanna has an overall crime rate of 8 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Susquehanna is 1 in 125. Susquehanna's crime rate is lower than approximately 52% of Pennsylvania communities. However, compared to other communities of similar population size, Susquehanna has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Susquehanna is safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data.

Sources

Susquehanna Township

Wikipedia

Pennsylvania Demographics

Neighborhood Scout

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park

Salt Springs State Park

The National Civil War Museum

Barnes-Kasson Hospital

Gold's Gym

Anytime Fitness

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

Just Plain Yoga

Omni Fitness Studio

The Spa at The Hotel Hershey

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