North Versailles Township, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North Versailles Township
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Township
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Location in Allegheny County and the state of Pennsylvania
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Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.19 sq mi (21.22 km2) |
| • Land | 8.03 sq mi (20.79 km2) |
| • Water | 0.17 sq mi (0.43 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,079 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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9,821 |
| • Density | 1,256.63/sq mi (485.20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 42-003-55488 |
North Versailles (pronounced "vur-SAYLZ") is a special type of local government area called a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 10,079 people lived there. The township got its name from the famous Palace of Versailles in France.
Contents
History of North Versailles Township
North Versailles Township was officially created on September 18, 1869. It was formed when the original Versailles Township was split into two parts: North Versailles and South Versailles.
The very first Versailles Township was one of the original seven townships in Allegheny County. It was formed way back in 1788. At that time, the land was part of Westmoreland County.
Over the years, the area that was once Versailles Township has changed a lot. Today, it includes North Versailles and South Versailles townships. It also includes the towns of White Oak, East McKeesport, Wall, Versailles, and parts of Wilmerding and Trafford. A big part of the city of McKeesport also used to be in this area.
North Versailles Township itself was later divided further. This happened when new towns were formed, like East McKeesport (in 1895) and Wall (in 1904). Parts of Wilmerding (1890) and Trafford (1904) also came from North Versailles.
Some early communities in North Versailles were Port Perry and Saltsburgh. These were located along the Monongahela River. Other areas included Pleasant Hill and Point Pleasant. There were also places like Stewart's Station and Wall Station along Turtle Creek.
North Versailles has several neighborhoods, which are often linked to its seven main areas called wards:
- Ward 1: Park Terrace
- Ward 2: Arlington
- Ward 3: Sunset and South Wilmerding
- Ward 4: Green Valley and Fite Station
- Ward 5: West Wilmerding
- Ward 6: Dixon Hollow and Oak Hill
- Ward 7: Crestas Terrace
Community Services in North Versailles
Fire Department Services
North Versailles Township is protected by three fire departments. The Crestas Volunteer Fire Department serves the Crestas Terrace area. The West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Department covers West Wilmerding.
The other five wards are served by the Fire Department of North Versailles (FDNV). This department has two stations. Station 1 is located at 1021 Broad Street. Station 2 is at 518 Oakhurst Street.
Police Department Services
The North Versailles Police Department works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They provide police protection for everyone living in North Versailles. They also help nearby communities when needed.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Emergency medical services in North Versailles are provided by the FDNV EMS Division. They operate out of Station 1. This division has two ambulances that are ready to help with medical emergencies. They respond to about 2,500 calls each year.
Schools in North Versailles
In the early 1960s, the school systems of North Versailles, East McKeesport, Wilmerding, and Wall joined together. They formed the East Allegheny School District.
The main high school for the district is East Allegheny High School. Its sports teams are called the Wildcats. It is located near Route 48 and U.S. Route 30. Green Valley School is the only school still open from the old North Versailles School District.
Before the East Allegheny School District was formed, high school students from North Versailles could attend several different high schools. These included East McKeesport High School and McKeesport Area High School.
Today, police officers from the North Versailles Police Department are present in East Allegheny High School and Logan Middle School. This helps keep students and staff safe.
Geography of North Versailles
North Versailles is located at coordinates 40.380219 degrees North and -79.810178 degrees West.
The township covers a total area of about 8.3 square miles. Most of this area, about 8.1 square miles, is land. The remaining 0.2 square miles is water.
North Versailles is bordered by the Monongahela River to the west. Turtle Creek is to the west and north. To the east, you'll find North Huntingdon and Westmoreland County. The city of McKeesport and the town of White Oak are to the south. The towns of East McKeesport, Wilmerding, and Wall are completely surrounded by North Versailles.
A major road called the Lincoln Highway, also known as US Route 30, goes through North Versailles. On its western edge, it crosses the Turtle Creek valley over the George Westinghouse Bridge. This bridge leads into East Pittsburgh.
Other important roads in the township include PA 48 and PA 148.
Population and People of North Versailles
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 5,668 | — | |
| 1940 | 6,341 | 11.9% | |
| 1950 | 9,821 | 54.9% | |
| 1960 | 13,583 | 38.3% | |
| 1970 | 13,416 | −1.2% | |
| 1980 | 13,294 | −0.9% | |
| 1990 | 12,302 | −7.5% | |
| 2000 | 11,125 | −9.6% | |
| 2010 | 10,229 | −8.1% | |
| 2020 | 10,079 | −1.5% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 9,821 | −4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 10,229 people living in North Versailles Township. There were 4,785 households, which are groups of people living together. About 2,792 of these were families.
The population density was about 1,275 people per square mile. Most of the people, about 82.93%, were White. About 13.77% were African American.
In 2000, the average household had 2.23 people. The average family had 2.82 people. About 19.9% of the population was under 18 years old. About 21.4% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the township was 42 years.
The median income for a household was $30,617. This means half of the households earned more than this, and half earned less. For families, the median income was $38,145.
Famous People from North Versailles
- Donna Jean Young (1936–2010) was a comedienne. She was known for her jokes about East McKeesport and "Woolmerding" (Wilmerding). She lived in North Versailles Township. Donna Jean Young appeared on TV shows like Laugh-In and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
- Jeff "Tain" Watts is a famous jazz drummer. He graduated from East Allegheny High School in 1977. He has played with many well-known musicians, including Wynton Marsalis.
- Gordon Jones is a former American football player. He graduated from East Allegheny High School in 1975. He was an All-American wide receiver at the University of Pittsburgh. He later played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams.
- Elroy "Roy" Face is a former baseball pitcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1953 to 1966. He holds a major league record for most wins by a relief pitcher, with 18 wins and only 1 loss in 1959. Since 1983, he has lived in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
