Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dimock Township, Pennsylvania
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Township
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Woodbourne Forest and Wildlife Preserve
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Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Susquehanna |
| Settled | 1796 |
| Incorporated | 1832 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 29.48 sq mi (76.36 km2) |
| • Land | 29.03 sq mi (75.19 km2) |
| • Water | 0.45 sq mi (1.16 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,232  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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1,230 |
| • Density | 48.84/sq mi (18.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
18816
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| Area code(s) | 570 |
| FIPS code | 42-115-19264 |
Dimock Township is a township in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 1,232 people lived there. It is known as the home of former U.S. Congressman Chris Carney. The school for the Elk Lake School District is also located in Dimock township.
Dimock has been a place where people talked a lot about water quality. This was related to a process called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," which is used to get natural gas from deep underground. After some concerns, water treatment systems were put in place for homes. Experts continue to check the water quality regularly.
Contents
History of Dimock Township
Dimock Township was named after a person called Elder Davis Dimock. It was officially created in December 1832. Before that, it was part of Springville and Bridgewater Townships.
Geography of Dimock Township
Dimock Township covers an area of about 29.45 square miles (76.36 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 29 square miles (75.19 square kilometers). A smaller part, about 0.45 square miles (1.16 square kilometers), is water.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 1,497 | — | |
| 2020 | 1,232 | −17.7% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,230 | −17.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,497 people living in Dimock Township. They lived in 570 households, and 425 of these were families. The population density was about 51.6 people per square mile. Most people living in the township were White (97.3%).
About 33.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households (60.2%) were married couples. The average household had 2.63 people.
The population included people of all ages. About 24.9% were under 18 years old. About 60.9% were between 18 and 64 years old. And 14.2% were 65 years or older. The average age in the township was 42.5 years.
Water Quality and Monitoring
Dimock Township has been a focus point for discussions about water quality. In 2009, some water wells in the area showed changes in their water. This was linked to the natural gas extraction process called hydraulic fracturing.
After these concerns, a company called Cabot Oil & Gas worked to help residents. They provided other water sources and installed systems to treat the water in affected homes. The company stated that the changes were not due to their activities. However, state regulators found evidence that suggested a link to the hydraulic fracturing work.
By May 2012, after water treatment systems were put in place, the EPA reported that their tests did not show high levels of contaminants that would require more action from them. They found small amounts of methane and arsenic in only one well.
Universities like Duke University and the University of Rochester are also studying the water. They are looking into the age of the well water to help understand where different substances might come from. The EPA also plans to do more tests on some wells. This ongoing monitoring helps ensure water quality for the community.
Images for kids
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Fracking in Dimock
