South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

South Fayette Township,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Township

South Fayette High School
Etymology: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette[1]

Location in Allegheny County and state of Pennsylvania
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Allegheny
Established 1842
Area
 • Total 20.95 sq mi (54 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 14,416
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 15017, 15031, 15057, 15064, 15082
Area code(s) 412, 724
Website South Fayette Township

South Fayette Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,416 at the 2010 census.

History

Thorough its early history, South Fayette has been the site of numerous conflicts between the earlier Native American residents and arriving settlers, particularly in the northern areas of the township. There are several historical relics found in South Fayette, in particular Native American stone instruments and graves.[2]

Probably one of the first settlers of European descent came to the township sometime before 1768. Little is known of this settler, but he was of English descend and was named Miller, who settled at the mouth of Miller's run, for whom the stream is named. However, before emigrating to Kentucky, Miller sold an expansive tract of land to a land speculator named Campbell for a pair of shoes.[3] The first permanent settler was Christopher Lesnet, a German immigrant who came from Baltimore, Maryland in 1770.

In 1770, George Washington is believed to have acquired 2,813 acres (1,138 ha) of land from his neighbor John Posey in exchange for forgiveness of debt. Washington was an absentee landlord and treated the property as a land investment. Today, this parcel of land includes what is now known as the Hickory Heights community[4] and it is located in the southwest corner of the township.

Originally, South Fayette and North Fayette Township were known as Fayette Township in honor of General Lafayette. However, in 1842, Fayette township was separated into North and South Fayette townships. Following the creation of Collier Township in 1875, South Fayette Township territorial limits as stand today are formed by the Washington County line, Robinson's Run, Coal Run and Chartiers Creek.[5]

Today, South Fayette is a fast-growing community[6] benefiting from its proximity to Downtown Pittsburgh, Southpointe, Pittsburgh International Airport and Robinson commercial district as well as its highly ranked school district.[7][8] In 2013, South Fayette was nominated as the best Pittsburgh suburb to raise a family in a regional survey.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 20.4 square miles (53 km2), of which 20.95 square miles (54.3 km2) is land and 0.05% is water. The topography is mostly wooded with small hills and floodplains on four streams.[10] It is located 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Pittsburgh.

Neighboring communities

South Fayette Township is bordered by Bridgeville borough and Upper St. Clair Township to the east, Cecil Township (Washington County) to the south and west, McDonald borough, Oakdale borough and North Fayette Township to the northwest, and Collier Township to the northeast.

Commercial Districts

Most of South Fayette commercial district is concentrated along Washington Pike. A 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m2) commercial development is being planned called Newbury Market. Upon completion, it would consist of a hotel, grocery store, restaurants and mixed office and retail space.

The Original Farmer Markets, Pittsburgh's oldest farmer market[11] is located on Route 50 and is open from May to November.

The I-22 to I-79 span of the Southern Beltway is currently under construction. The new span of the tolled highway will run thru the southwestern part of the township providing a direct access to the airport. It is expected that the construction of this new span will spur residential and commercial development along its path.

Communities within South Fayette

Neighborhoods within South Fayette include: Sterling Ridge, The Berkshires, Newbury, Forest Ridge and Hickory Heights.

Cities within South Fayette include Morgan, Morgan Hill, Cuddy, National Hill, Sturgeon, and Gladden.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19309,147—
19409,7806.9%
19509,9792.0%
196010,7287.5%
19709,369−12.7%
19809,7073.6%
199010,3296.4%
200012,27118.8%
201014,41617.5%
Est. 201515,5047.5%
Sources:[12][13][14][15][16]

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 12,271 people, 4,704 households, and 3,085 families residing in the township. The population density was 603.2 people per square mile (232.9/km²). There were 4,924 housing units at an average density of 242.1/sq mi (93.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.93% White, 3.50% African American, 0.02% Native American, 1.59% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population.

There were 4,704 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $53,739, and the median income for a family was $65,473. Males had a median income of $48,750 versus $33,534 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,082. About 2.9% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The South Fayette Township School District provides the educational services to the community. The school district has a single elementary school for grades K-2, a single intermediate school for grades 3-5, a single middle school for grades 6-8 and a single high school for grades 9-12. The school district's mascot is the Lions.

The South Fayette Township Library, in operation since January 10, 1994,[17] is located adjacent to the township municipal building.

The South Fayette Foundation 4 Excellence is a non-profit community organization that raises funds to support the academic, athletic and arts programs within the school district to supplement the school budget allocated for such purposes.

Recreation

Fairvierw Park South Fayette Township PA

South Fayette has a Department of Parks and Recreation which maintains municipal parks and organizes recreational events. The township has seven municipal parks: Fairview Park, Morgan Park, Boy's Home Park, El Rancho Park, Sturgeon Park, Koppers Field, and Panhandle Trail. A portion of Fairview Park has been designated as a Dog Run Free Zone allowing dogs to run without leashes.[18]

The South Fayette Township School District also makes available to residents and non-residents its Fitness and Aquatic Centers.

There are also several athletic associations:

The Hickory Heights Golf Club provides an 18-hole golf course.

Notable natives and residents

References

  1. ↑ Ackerman, Jan (May 10, 1984). "Town names carry bit of history". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 6. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Ryall, Kay (12 February 1933). "Indians Waged Warfare Near Oakdale". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  3. ↑ http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NorthFayette/1998-04/0893814439
  4. ↑ Hickory Heights, Pennsylvania
  5. ↑ Warner and Company, A. History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Including its Early Settlement and Progress to the Present Time, VOLUME 2 PART 1. Heritage Books. ISBN 0788446142.
  6. ↑ http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/neighborhoods/f/fast_growing.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2013/04/05/honorrollrank2013.html
  8. ↑ http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/education/s_787193.html#axzz2qkPEqSHl
  9. ↑ http://www.heartlandluxuryhomes.com/heartland_today/2013/10/best-suburb-pittsburgh-families/
  10. ↑ http://www.alleghenycounty.us/munimap/profile.asp?muni=105
  11. ↑ http://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2012/08/02/South-Fayette-s-Original-Farmers-Market-still-drawing-crowds/stories/201208020339
  12. ↑ "Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania". Census of Population and Housing, 1950. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  14. ↑ "Pennsylvania: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  15. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  16. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 10 Jun 2016.
  17. ↑ http://www.southfayettelibrary.org/about-us/
  18. ↑ http://www.parks.south-fayette.pa.us/index.html

Coordinates: 40°20′53″N 80°08′41″W / 40.34806°N 80.14472°W / 40.34806; -80.14472

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