New Freedom, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New Freedom, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Former Pennsylvania Railroad Station, now a restaurant and museum on the York County Heritage Rail Trail County Park
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Location in York County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
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 New Freedom, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
New Freedom, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | York |
| Settled | 1783 |
| Incorporated | 1879 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.08 sq mi (5.39 km2) |
| • Land | 2.08 sq mi (5.39 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 643 ft (196 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,877 |
| • Density | 2,343.58/sq mi (905.06/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
17349
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| Area code(s) | 717 |
| FIPS code | 42-53568 |
| Website | New Freedom |
New Freedom is a small town, called a borough, in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 4,874 people lived here. It is part of the larger York–Hanover area. New Freedom used to be a town known for its factories and railroads. Now, it is mostly a place where people live and travel to work in other towns.
Contents
History of New Freedom
New Freedom Borough is in the southern part of York County, Pennsylvania. It is right next to the Mason-Dixon line, which is a famous border. The town officially became a borough in 1873.
How New Freedom Got Its Name
The town was first called "Freedom" after the Free family who settled there. But there was already another town with that name. So, the people decided to call it "New Freedom" instead.
Early Settlers and Farming
People from Germany, England, and Scotland-Ireland came to live in this area. The land was very good for farming, which helped people make a living.
A company called Summers Canning Company operated in New Freedom for many years. They canned fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms. These canned goods were then shipped out to other places. Hanover Foods bought Summers Canning Company in 1984. You can see a colorful painting (mural) on a building along the York County Heritage Rail Trail that shows scenes from the old canning company.
The Importance of the Railroad
The Northern Central Railway was very important for New Freedom's early growth. The train service helped businesses move goods and people travel easily. However, a big storm called Hurricane Agnes in 1972 damaged many of the train tracks and bridges in York County. This changed how important the railway was for the town.
Today, New Freedom is about 30 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland, and 38 miles south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It has changed from a town with many businesses and small factories to a place where many people live and travel to work in nearby cities.
Geography of New Freedom
New Freedom is located at 39°44′12″N 76°41′55″W / 39.73667°N 76.69861°W. This means it's at a specific spot on the map.
The United States Census Bureau says that the borough covers about 2.0 square miles (5.39 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 324 | — | |
| 1890 | 364 | 12.3% | |
| 1900 | 550 | 51.1% | |
| 1910 | 726 | 32.0% | |
| 1920 | 906 | 24.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,125 | 24.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,137 | 1.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,271 | 11.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,395 | 9.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,495 | 7.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,205 | 47.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,920 | 32.4% | |
| 2000 | 3,512 | 20.3% | |
| 2010 | 4,464 | 27.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,874 | 9.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 5,090 | 14.0% | |
| Sources: | |||
Over the years, the number of people living in New Freedom has grown steadily. In 2000, there were 3,512 people living in the borough. Most of the people living in New Freedom are White. There are also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian people. Some residents are also of Hispanic or Latino background.
Many families live in New Freedom. In 2000, about 38% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.7 people.
The population includes people of all ages. About 26% of the people were under 18 years old. About 11% were 65 years or older. The average age in New Freedom was 40 years old.
In 2000, the average income for a household in New Freedom was about $66,458 per year. For families, the average income was around $70,319. A small number of families and people lived below the poverty line.
Community Life in New Freedom
The York County Heritage Rail Trail goes right through the middle of New Freedom. This trail was created in 1992. It stretches for about 21 miles north from New Freedom into the city of York. The trail also connects to the Northern Central Railroad Trail in Maryland, which is about 20 miles long and heads south from the Mason-Dixon line. It's a great place for walking, running, and biking!
Fun Events in New Freedom
New Freedom has several popular events throughout the year:
- The New Freedom Lions Club Carnival is held every July. It has been a tradition since the 1930s.
- The Annual New Freedom Fest happens on the third weekend of September. This festival brings back the spirit of the old Farmers Improvement Fair that used to be held around the same time in the early 1900s.
- Outdoor Movie Night is held three times each summer. Families can bring blankets and chairs to watch classic movies under the stars.
There is also a community park in the center of town called "Freedom Green." It's a nice place for people to gather and relax.
Schools in New Freedom
Teens in New Freedom usually go to Susquehannock High School and Southern Middle School. These schools are part of the Southern York County School District. Some students also attend private schools like Shrewsbury Christian Academy, York Catholic High School, or York Country Day School. In 2010, a new Roman Catholic school, St. John the Baptist, opened in New Freedom.
Oldest Seed Company
New Freedom is home to the D. Landreth Seed Company. This company is known for being the oldest seed company in America!
Notable People from New Freedom
- Sterling Ruby: An American artist who creates art using ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, and video.
- Jarace Walker: An NBA basketball player who lived in New Freedom before moving away in 9th grade.
- Ron Wolf: A former general manager for the National Football League's Green Bay Packers. He was added to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
See also
In Spanish: New Freedom (Pensilvania) para niños
