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Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Official logo of Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Keystone Marker
Intercourse, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Intercourse, Pennsylvania is located in the United States
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Lancaster
Township Leacock
Area
 • Total 2.11 sq mi (5.46 km2)
 • Land 2.11 sq mi (5.46 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
430 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,494
 • Density 708.7/sq mi (273.6/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
17534 (PO box)
17529 (Gordonville)
Area code(s) 717 Exchange: 768
FIPS code 42-37016
GNIS feature ID 1177822

Intercourse is a small community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is about 10 miles (16 km) east of the city of Lancaster. In 2020, about 1,494 people lived there.

Intercourse is a popular place for tourists. This is because it is located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where many Amish people live. Some movies have also featured the town. For example, Witness was filmed nearby. The movie For Richer or Poorer was set in Intercourse. Because of its unusual name, the town's signs are often stolen.

History of Intercourse

Intercourse was first settled in 1754. The community was originally called Cross Keys. This name came from a local tavern. The name changed to Intercourse in 1814.

There are a few ideas about how the town got its name.

  • One idea is that two important roads crossed here. The Old King's Highway from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh met a road from Wilmington to Erie. The joining of these roads might have led to the name "Cross Keys" or later "Intercourse."
  • Another idea comes from how people used words long ago. The word "intercourse" used to mean "fellowship" or "social interaction." This describes the friendly community spirit found in a small village like Intercourse.

Exploring Intercourse: Local Attractions

Visitors to Intercourse can explore several interesting places.

  • Museums and Historic Sites
    • American Military Edged Weaponry Museum: This museum displays old weapons.
    • People's Place Quilt Museum: Here you can see beautiful handmade quilts.
    • The People's Place: This center helps visitors learn about the Amish and Mennonite cultures.

Economy and Life in Intercourse

Tourism and farming are the main ways people make a living in Intercourse. Many small businesses sell Amish crafts and food. You can also take horse and buggy rides. Thousands of tourists visit the area every year. Most of the land around the town is used for farming.

Population of Intercourse

Historical population
Census Pop.
2010 1,274
2020 1,494 17.3%
U.S. Censuses: 2010, and 2020

The population of Intercourse has grown over the years. In 2010, there were 1,274 people. By 2020, the population had increased to 1,494.

Many people in Intercourse speak more than one language. In 2020, about 41% of the people spoke only English. About 51.6% spoke another European language. This is mostly Pennsylvania German, which is a type of German language.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Intercourse (Pensilvania) para niños

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