Kutztown, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Kutzeschteddel
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Borough
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Kutztown in March 2011
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Location of Kutztown in Berks County, Pennsylvania
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 Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Pennsylvania | |
| County | Berks | |
| Incorporated | April 6, 1815 | |
| Named for | George Kutz | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor-council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.60 sq mi (4.16 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.60 sq mi (4.15 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) | |
| Elevation | 400 ft (100 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,162 | |
| • Density | 2,601.25/sq mi (1,004.07/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
19530
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| Area codes | 610 and 484 | |
Kutztown is a small town, called a borough, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's about 18 miles southwest of Allentown and 17 miles northeast of Reading. In 2020, about 4,162 people lived there. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is located right next to the borough.
Contents
History of Kutztown
Kutztown began when George Kutz bought 130 acres of land on June 16, 1755. He planned the town in 1779. The first pieces of land in "Cootstown" (which later became Kutztown) were bought in 1785.
Kutztown officially became a borough on April 7, 1815. It is the second oldest borough in Berks County.
Most of the early settlers in Kutztown were Germans. They came from a region in southwest Germany called the Palatinate.
The area around Kutztown is known as the East Penn Valley. It's a wide valley with limestone rock. Crystal Cave was found near Kutztown in 1871.
Two important buildings, the H.K. Deisher Knitting Mill and the Kutztown 1892 Public School Building, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special historical sites.
Since 1950, the Kutztown Folk Festival has been held every July. It celebrates the culture and food of the Pennsylvania Dutch people.
Geography of Kutztown
Kutztown is located in the northeastern part of Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is surrounded by Maxatawny Township but is a separate area.
The borough has a total area of about 1.6 square miles (4.3 square kilometers). Only a tiny part of this is water. Kutztown has a hot-summer humid continental climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and cold winters.
People of Kutztown
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 693 | — | |
| 1850 | 640 | −7.6% | |
| 1860 | 915 | 43.0% | |
| 1870 | 945 | 3.3% | |
| 1880 | 1,198 | 26.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,595 | 33.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,328 | −16.7% | |
| 1910 | 2,360 | 77.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,684 | 13.7% | |
| 1930 | 2,841 | 5.8% | |
| 1940 | 2,966 | 4.4% | |
| 1950 | 3,110 | 4.9% | |
| 1960 | 3,312 | 6.5% | |
| 1970 | 4,166 | 25.8% | |
| 1980 | 4,040 | −3.0% | |
| 1990 | 4,704 | 16.4% | |
| 2000 | 5,067 | 7.7% | |
| 2010 | 5,012 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,162 | −17.0% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2010, there were 5,012 people living in Kutztown. Most residents were White (95.8%). About 2.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The Kutztown area is also home to an Old Order Mennonite community. This group has about 160 families. They belong to the Groffdale Conference Mennonite Church and use a horse and buggy for travel. They have farms and a meetinghouse near Kutztown. This community first bought land here in 1949.
Education in Kutztown
Public Schools
Students in Kutztown attend schools in the Kutztown Area School District. This district also serves nearby towns like Lyons and Maxatawny Township.
The schools include Greenwich Elementary School, Kutztown Elementary School, Kutztown Area Middle School, and Kutztown Area High School.
University Education
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a public university located just outside the borough. It is one of 14 schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university has over 7,300 undergraduate students.
Transportation and Utilities
Getting Around
U.S. Route 222 (the Kutztown Bypass) runs along the northern and western edges of the borough. It connects Kutztown to Allentown and Reading. Pennsylvania Route 737 goes north from Kutztown.
Main Street is the main road that goes through Kutztown.
The Allentown and Auburn Railroad runs a freight and tourist train from Kutztown to Topton.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania has a free shuttle bus service. It takes students around campus and into town when school is in session.
Services for the Town
The Borough of Kutztown Electric Department provides electricity to most of the town. Some parts get electricity from Met-Ed. Kutztown also provides water and sewer services. The Public Works department handles trash and recycling.
The borough also offers cable, internet, and phone services through Home Net. Natural gas service is provided by UGI Utilities.
Economy of Kutztown
Kutztown has a strong and varied economy. Many people work for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Other companies have also been based in Kutztown, like the athletic shoe company Saucony.
Famous People from Kutztown
- Luther Adler (1903-1984), an actor who died in Kutztown.
- Keith Haring (1958-1990), a famous artist who was born in Kutztown.
- Ranger Bill Miller (1878-1939), a silent Western film actor born in Kutztown.
- Ray O'Connell (b 1949), a former mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
- G Rene Ryan (b 1995), a national champion swimmer.
- Gary Mark Smith (b 1956), an artist and author who grew up nearby.
Sister City
Kutztown has one sister city:
Altrip, Rhineland-Palatine, Germany
Images for kids
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West Main Street from Whiteoak Street
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A "Welcome to Kutztown" sign on East Main Street
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US Route 222 northbound in Kutztown
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View of West Main Street from Noble Street
_from_the_overpass_for_North_Elm_Street_in_Kutztown,_Berks_County,_Pennsylvania.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Kutztown para niños
