Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Center Square at High and Market streets in 2013
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| Nickname(s):
"E-Town"
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Location of Elizabethtown in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (left) and of Lancaster County in Pennsylvania (right)
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 Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lancaster |
| Settled | 1753 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.67 sq mi (6.90 km2) |
| • Land | 2.65 sq mi (6.87 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 463 ft (141 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,639 |
| • Density | 4,388.76/sq mi (1,694.29/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
17022
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| Area codes | 717 and 223 |
Elizabethtown, often called E-Town, is a small town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. It is a type of town called a borough. It's about 18 miles southeast of Harrisburg, the state capital. In 2020, about 11,639 people lived here. The nickname 'E-Town' is also used for the local college and high school.
Contents
History of Elizabethtown
There are two main stories about how Elizabethtown got its name. One story says it was named after Elizabeth Reeby. Her husband, Michael Reeby, sold the first land lots here around 1795.
The other, more accepted story, is that Captain Barnabas Hughes bought land in 1753. He then planned out the town and named it after his wife, Elizabeth. The first people to settle here were mostly from Scotland and Ireland, or were Pennsylvania Dutch. In 1758, General John Forbes used Elizabethtown to store supplies for his army.
Elizabethtown officially became a borough in 1827. A railroad was built through the area in the 1830s, which helped the town grow. For a long time, Elizabethtown was mainly a farming community.
In the early 1900s, new businesses started to open. These included the Klein Chocolate Company, which is now part of Mars, Inc., and several shoe factories. Elizabethtown College was founded in 1899. The Masonic Homes, now called the Masonic Village, opened in 1910.
After World War II, Elizabethtown grew very quickly. Its population more than doubled between 1950 and 2000. New homes and businesses were built on what used to be farmland. This led to discussions about how to manage growth and protect farmland.
The Kreider Shoe Manufacturing Company building in Elizabethtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it is an important historical site.
Local Government and Leaders
Borough Council Members
The Elizabethtown Borough Council has six members. They represent three different voting areas in the town. Each council member is elected for four years. They make decisions about the town's budget, public services, building rules, and local laws.
- Mayor
The mayor is also elected for a four-year term. The mayor is in charge of the police department and performs special duties for the town. The mayor only votes at council meetings if there is a tie. The current mayor is Chuck Mummert.
State and National Representatives
- State Representative: Tom Jones
- State Senator: Ryan Aument
- U. S. Representative: Lloyd Smucker
Geography and Climate
Elizabethtown is located in the northwestern part of Lancaster County. It covers about 2.67 square miles (6.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water. The town is mainly drained by Conoy Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River.
The town has a hot-summer humid continental climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from about 30°F (-1°C) in January to 75°F (24°C) in July.
Major Roads and Transportation
Several important roads pass through or near Elizabethtown:
- Pennsylvania Route 230 goes through the center of town. It connects Elizabethtown to Harrisburg and Mount Joy.
- Pennsylvania Route 283 is a four-lane highway that goes near the town. It connects Elizabethtown to Lancaster and Harrisburg.
- Pennsylvania Route 743 connects Elizabethtown to Hershey and Marietta.
Elizabethtown also has an Amtrak train station. All Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains stop here. Bus service is available through the Red Rose Transit Authority.
Economy and Businesses
Elizabethtown is home to several important businesses and organizations. These include:
- Continental Press
- White Oak Mills, which makes animal feed
- Elizabethtown College
- The Masonic Village
- A large Mars Chocolate North America plant, part of Mars, Incorporated
- Nordstrom’s east coast fulfillment center
- Many other smaller businesses
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 700 | — | |
| 1870 | 858 | 22.6% | |
| 1880 | 980 | 14.2% | |
| 1890 | 1,218 | 24.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,473 | 20.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,587 | 75.6% | |
| 1920 | 3,319 | 28.3% | |
| 1930 | 3,940 | 18.7% | |
| 1940 | 4,315 | 9.5% | |
| 1950 | 5,083 | 17.8% | |
| 1960 | 6,780 | 33.4% | |
| 1970 | 8,072 | 19.1% | |
| 1980 | 8,233 | 2.0% | |
| 1990 | 9,952 | 20.9% | |
| 2000 | 11,887 | 19.4% | |
| 2010 | 11,545 | −2.9% | |
| 2020 | 11,639 | 0.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 11,533 | −0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 11,887 people living in Elizabethtown. Most residents were White (96.32%). About 1.45% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The median age in the borough was 34 years old. This means half the people were younger than 34 and half were older. About 19.3% of the population was under 18 years old.
The median income for a household in Elizabethtown was $42,752. This is the middle income for all households. About 5.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Education and Learning
Public Schools
Public schools in Elizabethtown are part of the Elizabethtown Area School District. Mount Calvary Christian School is also nearby.
Higher Education
Elizabethtown College is a private college in the town. It offers many different subjects for students to study.
Public Library
The Elizabethtown Public Library is part of the Library System of Lancaster County. It provides books and resources for everyone in the community.
Local Media
Town Newspaper
- The Elizabethtown Advocate
Radio Stations
- WWEC 88.3 FM
- WPDC 1600 AM
Sister City
Elizabethtown has a sister city in Ireland:
Annual Fair
Elizabethtown hosts an annual fair every year. This fair celebrates the local farming history of the town. It has been a fun event for families, friends, and tourists for over 50 years. The fair also helps local churches, groups, and businesses raise money and promote themselves. It takes place in late August.
Notable People from Elizabethtown
- Nelson Chittum, a former professional baseball pitcher
- Gene Garber, a former professional baseball pitcher
- Paul Gottfried, a political scientist
- Donald Kraybill, an educator and author who studies Anabaptist groups like the Amish
- Tony Mrakovich, a racing car driver
- Winifred Reuning, a science writer
Images for kids
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Elizabethtown borough hall
See also
In Spanish: Elizabethtown (Pensilvania) para niños
