Murrysville, known formally by its legal name in its Charter as The Municipality of Murrysville, is designated as a home rule status community in
Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
, United States. The population was 20,079 at the
2010 census. It became a
home rule Municipality
Devolution is the statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local level. It is a form of administrative decentralization. Devolved territories h ...
in August 1976, when its electorate voted for its Charter designating it a Municipality.
Geography
The Municipality of Murrysville is located at (40.434828, -79.656724).
It is roughly 20 miles east of
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...
on
U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22 (US 22) is a west–east route and is one of the original United States highways of 1926, running from Cincinnati, Ohio, at US 27, US 42, US 127, and US 52 to Newark, New Jersey, at U.S. Route 1/9 in the Newark Airport Interchange ...
, just east of the county line that separates Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. Murrysville is a
control city
A control city is a city, locality, or other location posted on a series of traffic signs along a particular stretch of road indicating destinations on that route. Together with route numbers and cardinal directions, these focal points aid the mo ...
on the sign for eastbound US 22 at the eastern end of
I-376
Interstate 376 (I-376) is a major auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System in the US state of Pennsylvania, located within the Allegheny Plateau. It runs from I-80 near Sharon south and east to a junction with the Pennsylvania Tur ...
in Monroeville.
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the Municipality had a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.03% is water.
Among the neighborhoods within Murrysville are Murrysville Heights, Heather Highlands, Franklin Estates, Settlers Ridge (The Ridge), Dunningtown, Newlonsburg, Ringertown, Sardis, and White Valley. Murrysville surrounds, but does not include, the
Borough of Export, which is a separate municipal entity.
Surrounding municipalities
Murrysville has eight borders, including
Upper Burrell Township to the north,
Washington Township to the north and east,
Salem Township to the south and southeast,
Delmont to the southeast,
Penn Township to the south, and the Allegheny County municipalities of
Monroeville to the southwest and
Plum
A plum is a fruit of some species in ''Prunus'' subg. ''Prunus'.'' Dried plums are called prunes.
History
Plums may have been one of the first fruits domesticated by humans. Three of the most abundantly cultivated species are not found i ...
to the west. The borough of
Export
An export in international trade is a good produced in one country that is sold into another country or a service provided in one country for a national or resident of another country. The seller of such goods or the service provider is an ...
is situated inside Murrysville in the south-southeast section.
Government
The Municipality of Murrysville is governed by a
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...
(currently Regis J. Synan) who is elected every two years and has executive/administrative powers, and a seven-member
council
A council is a group of people who come together to consult, deliberate, or make decisions. A council may function as a legislature, especially at a town, city or county/shire level, but most legislative bodies at the state/provincial or natio ...
, whose members are elected every four years and have precise legislative powers.
In the mid-1970s, as suburban growth began to occur, the community rapidly transitioned through three forms of government (township, borough, and home rule) and four legal name changes (Franklin Township, Franklin Borough, Murrysville Borough, and Municipality of Murrysville). Since 1976, it has operated under its Home Rule Charter as the Municipality of Murrysville.
Demographics
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 18,872 people, 7,083 households, and 5,630 families located in the municipality. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 511.0 people per square mile (197.3/km
2). There were 7,396 housing units at an average density of 200.3 per square mile (77.3/km
2). The racial makeup of the Municipality was 95.38%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, 0.61%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.05%
Native American, 3.28%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.01%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
, 0.16% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 0.50% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 0.56% of the population.
There were 7,083 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.01.
![Calvary Lutheran Murrysville from US 22 jeh](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Calvary_Lutheran_Murrysville_from_US_22_jeh.jpg)
In the Municipality population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the Municipality was $64,071, and the median income for a family was $72,740. Males had a median income of $58,553 versus $32,567 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the Municipality was $32,017. About 2.2% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Municipality of Murrysville is within the
Franklin Regional School District
Franklin Regional School District is a midsized, suburban public school district located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, serving Murrysville and the neighboring communities of Delmont and Export. Franklin Regional School District encompasses app ...
. The district operates five schools: three elementary (Sloan, Heritage, Newlonsburg), Franklin Regional Middle School, and
Franklin Regional High School
Franklin Regional Senior High School is a public high school (grades 9– 12) in Murrysville, Pennsylvania and is part of the Franklin Regional School District.
History
On April 9, 2014, Franklin was the site of a mass stabbing and slashing ...
, with Dr. Gennaro Piraino as the district's superintendent.
The district's high school boasts a graduation rate of 99.3% compared to the national average for public high schools of 82% and is ranked #213 in Newsweek's 2016 "America's Top High Schools". Private schools includ
Mother of Sorrows Catholic School The
Free Gospel Bible Institute
Free may refer to:
Concept
* Freedom, having the ability to do something, without having to obey anyone/anything
* Freethought, a position that beliefs should be formed only on the basis of logic, reason, and empiricism
* Emancipate, to procure ...
(FGBI), a Holiness Pentecostal
bible college
A Bible college, sometimes referred to as a Bible institute or theological institute, is an evangelical Christian or Restoration Movement Christian institution of higher education which prepares students for Christian ministry with theological educ ...
, is located in Murrysville.
Notable people
*
Julie Benz
Julie Benz (born May 1, 1972) l is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Darla on ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and ''Angel'' (1997–2004), and as Rita Bennett on '' Dexter'' (2006–2010), for which she won the 2006 Satellite Awar ...
(born 1972), actress
*
Jeremiah Burrell (1815–1856),
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania is a region in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, covering the western third of the state. Pittsburgh is the region's principal city, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic ...
lawyer and judge
*
Bobby Engram
Simon J. "Bobby" Engram III (born January 7, 1973) is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State.
Engram also played for the ...
(born 1973), Seattle Seahawks wide receiver; San Francisco 49ers assistant offensive coordinator
*
Eli Evankovich
Eli Evankovich (born 1982) is a Republican former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented Pennsylvania's 54th district, which includes parts of Westmoreland and Armstrong counties.
Evankovich was born and raised in ...
(born 1982), PA House of Representatives, 54th District
*
Tom Flynn (born 1962), defensive back for Green Bay Packers and New York Giants
*
Josiah Given
Josiah Given (August 31, 1828 – February 3, 1908) was a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court from March 12, 1889 to December 31, 1901, appointed from Polk County, Iowa. He also served as colonel of the 74th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Americ ...
(1828–1908) attorney, soldier and Supreme Court justice of Iowa
* Brooke Hyland (born 1998), former star on ''
Dance Moms
''Dance Moms'' is an American reality television series that debuted on Lifetime on July 13, 2011. Created by Collins Avenue Productions, the show follows the training and careers of children in dance and show business under the tutelage of Abb ...
''
* Paige Hyland (born 2000), former star on ''
Dance Moms
''Dance Moms'' is an American reality television series that debuted on Lifetime on July 13, 2011. Created by Collins Avenue Productions, the show follows the training and careers of children in dance and show business under the tutelage of Abb ...
''
*
Spencer Lee
Spencer Richard Lee (born October 14, 1998) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 57 kilograms (125 pounds). In freestyle, he was the '19 US National champion and a three–time age–group World Champion, once as a ...
(born 1998), multi-year World Champion in
freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of wrestling originated from Great Britain and the United States. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic Games. American high school and men's college wrestling ...
, multi-year National Champion in
NCAA wrestling at
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is org ...
*
Ken Macha
Kenneth Edward Macha (; born September 29, 1950) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He managed the Oakland Athletics from 2003–2006, including American League Western Division championships in both his first and final s ...
(born 1950), Milwaukee Brewers manager
*
Robert Moose (1947–1976), Pittsburgh Pirates, pitcher 1967–1976
*
Manu Narayan
Manu Narayan (born August 16, 1973) is an American actor, film producer, singer, songwriter, composer and saxophonist. He served as a Trustee of Carnegie Mellon University, his alma mater, from 2013-2016.
Narayan was hailed as a "promising young ...
(born 1973), actor
*
Candace Otto Candace Otto (born 8 April 1980 in Pittsburgh) is a pageant titleholder from Murrysville, Pennsylvania who held the Miss Pennsylvania 2003 title and competed in the Miss America pageant.
Pageants
Otto first competed in a pageant in 1996 when she ...
(born 1980),
Miss Pennsylvania
The Miss Pennsylvania competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Pennsylvania in the Miss America pageant. Pennsylvania, including early years' city representatives, has won the Miss America crown on five occasi ...
2003
*
Maddie Ziegler
Madison Nicole Ziegler (; born September 30, 2002) is an American actress and dancer. She was initially known for appearing in Lifetime's reality show ''Dance Moms'' from 2011 (at age 8) until 2016. From 2014, she gained wider recognition for ...
(born 2002), dancer and actress
[
* ]Mackenzie Ziegler
Mackenzie Frances Ziegler (born June 4, 2004) is an American singer, actress, former dancer, and internet personality. She first gained notice as a child while appearing for six years on the Lifetime reality dance series ''Dance Moms'' togethe ...
(born 2004), dancer, singer, model and actress
Local features
The Haymaker Gas Well in Murrysville was the nation's first commercial natural gas well. For some time, it remained the largest commercial gas well in the world. Murrysville was described in the first half of the 20th century as being "the center of a district dotted with gas wells, the first of which was bored in 1878; wild speculation in leases precipitated the open conflict known as the 'Haymaker Riots,' named for the speculator killed in one of them."
Since 1933, Murrysville has had a "tree sign" spelling out the wor
"Murrysville"
The trees were landscaped to grow and form the letters by local Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts may refer to:
* Boy Scout, a participant in the Boy Scout Movement.
* Scouting, also known as the Boy Scout Movement.
* An organisation in the Scouting Movement, although many of these organizations also have female members. There are ...
. The sign is situated on a large hill as one enters the Municipality from the Murrysville–Monroeville border, near U.S. Route 22. In 1947, the sign was featured in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" as the world's largest arboreal sign. (It is no longer the world's largest, or even the largest in the country
"Luecke"
near San Antonio, Texas
("Cradle of Freedom")
, image_map =
, mapsize = 220px
, map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, subdivision_t ...
, is much larger.) The "Y" in the Murrysville sign points to the Haymaker Gas Well.
In 1977, Murrysville was designated the "Gateway to Westmoreland County" by Mayor Walt Dollman in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, community leaders upgraded sign and landscaping elaborately at the main entrance at the Allegheny / Westmoreland border featuring this designation. As is shown at the introduction of this page, the Gateway designation is featured on the official Seal of the Municipality.
See also
* Westmoreland Conservancy
References
External links
Municipality website
Murrysville's official Community Magazine
Murrysville Economic and Community Development Corporation
*
The Murrysville Star
'
Murrysville Business Directory
News articles about the Murrysville tree sign and efforts to restore it: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 16, 2006
''Penn-Franklin News'', based in Murrysville
{{authority control
Home Rule Municipalities in Pennsylvania
Boroughs in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Populated places established in 1788
Pittsburgh metropolitan area
1788 establishments in Pennsylvania