Chadds Ford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Chadds Ford Township is an affluent township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It is located about southwest of Philadelphia. Prior to 1996, Chadds Ford Township was known as Birmingham Township; the name was changed to allow the township to correspond to both its census-designated place and to distinguish itself from the adjacent Birmingham Township in Chester County. As of the 2010 census, Chadds Ford Township had a population of 3,640, up from 3,170 at the 2000 census.

Chadds Ford was home to N.C. Wyeth, his son Andrew Wyeth, and grandson Jamie Wyeth. The Brandywine Battlefield (site of the Battle of Brandywine) is located in the township, along with the Brandywine River Museum, which houses much of the Wyeth collection. Weldon Brinton Heyburn (1852–1912), a U.S. senator from Idaho, was born in Chadds Ford.

History

The original name of the township, Birmingham, was given to the territory by William Brinton in remembrance of the town of the same name in England.

Frances Chadsey, or Chads, improperly spelled Chadd, emigrated from Wiltshire, England in 1689 and lived in Chichester Township until 1696 when his name first appeared in the Birmingham Township tax records.

On September 11, 1777, the house owned by George Gilpin was occupied by General Howe of the British Army during the Battle of Brandywine. The local significance of the battle is such that a 1940 guidebook noted that "a local barber displays a large sign: 'This is where Washington and Lafayette had a close shave.'"

The Chad House, Chadds Ford Historic District, Gilpin Homestead and William Painter Farm are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

The township is the westernmost in Delaware County and is bordered to the west by Chester County, to the south by the state of Delaware, and to the east by Concord Township. The southern border of Chadds Ford Township is part of the Twelve-Mile Circle border between Delaware and Pennsylvania. Brandywine Creek forms the western boundary of the township (and of Delaware County).

The village of Chadds Ford is in the northwest part of the township, and a small piece of Dilworthtown is in the northern corner of the township.

U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Pike) runs through the northern part of the township and intersects U.S. Routes 202 and 322 at Painters Crossroads on the township's eastern border. US 1 leads southwest toward Maryland, while US 202 leads south to Wilmington, Delaware, and US 322 leads east to Chester. US 202 and 322 together lead north to West Chester.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.70%, is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Chadds Ford Township is on the border of the humid subtropical climate and humid continental climate. Of these two climate zones, Chadds Ford has much more in common with the humid continental climate. The hardiness zone is 7a

Average monthly temperatures in the village center of Chadds Ford range from 31.5 °F in January to 75.9 °F in July

Demographics

As of Census 2010, the racial makeup of the township was 89.4% White (U.S. Census), White, 1.4% African American, 0.0% Native American, 7.6% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the populatio

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,170 people, 1,314 households, and 910 families residing in the township. The population density was 364.2 people per square mile (140.7/km). There were 1,338 housing units at an average density of 153.7/sq mi (59.4/km). The racial makeup of the township was 95.27% White (U.S. Census), White, 1.07% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.78% Asian, 0.47% from other races, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 1,314 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 33.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $84,100, and the median income for a family was $100,795. Males had a median income of $79,650 versus $34,219 for females. The per capita income for the township was $52,974. About 4.0% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Rachel Kohl Library serves Chadds Ford Township.

Chadds Ford Township lies within the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

Notable people

* Weldon Brinton Heyburn
*Andrew Wyeth
* Jamie Wyeth
* N.C. Wyeth
* Ann Wyeth McCoy
* Pat Meehan
* Bill Bergey - former Philadelphia Eagle
* Erin Matson (field hockey)
*Robin Toner - journalist

Points of interest

* Brandywine Battlefield Park
* Brandywine River Museum
**N. C. Wyeth House and Studio
**"The Mills", Andrew Wyeth home and studio
** Kuerner Farm
* Brandywine Wildflower and Native Plant Gardens
* Chad House
* Chadds Ford Historic District
* Christian C. Sanderson Museum
* Gilpin Homestead
* William Painter Farm
* Twaddell's Mill and House

References

External links

Chadds Ford Township official websiteChadds Ford History

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Townships in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Townships in Pennsylvania