Orrstown, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orrstown, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Orrstown Post Office
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Location of Orrstown in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
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 Orrstown, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Orrstown, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Franklin |
| Settled | 1833 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) |
| • Land | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 214 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
17244
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| Area code(s) | 717 |
| FIPS code | 42-57112 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1215247 |
Orrstown is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It is in the United States. In 2020, about 214 people lived there.
History of Orrstown
How Orrstown Was Founded
Orrstown was started in 1833 by three brothers named Orr. Their names were John, William, and James. The town is surrounded by Southampton Township. It sits on an old road that connected Shippensburg to Upper Strasburg.
Early Settlements and Trade Routes
People began settling in this area as early as 1738. Before railroads were common, people used this old road to move horses and cattle. They would drive them to markets in the eastern parts of the state. Today, this old road is known as Pennsylvania Route 533 or Orrstown Road.
Naming the Town: From Southampton to Orrstown
When the Orr brothers first planned the town in 1833, they called it "Southampton." This was after the township it was in. However, in 1835, they wanted to open a post office. The Post Office Department said no to the name "Southampton." This was because another town already had that name.
George Chambers, who was a politician from the area, helped out. He suggested naming the post office "Orrstown." This new name stuck, and the town has been called Orrstown ever since.
Orrstown's Growth and Development
Orrstown officially became a borough on May 3, 1847. By 1878, the town had grown quite a bit. It had one hotel and two stores. There was also a factory that made carriages. The town was home to four churches: Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Brethren, and Winebrennerian. At that time, about 325 people lived in Orrstown.
Geography of Orrstown
Where Orrstown is Located
Orrstown is in the northeastern part of Franklin County. It is where two main roads meet: Pennsylvania Route 433 (Rowe Run Road) and Pennsylvania Route 533 (Orrstown Road).
Connecting Roads and Nearby Towns
PA 433 goes northwest about 5 miles to Roxbury. It also goes south 5 miles to the Letterkenny Army Depot. Chambersburg, which is the main town of the county, is about 11 miles south. You can get there by taking PA 433 and then U.S. Route 11.
PA 533 goes east about 5 miles to Shippensburg. It also goes west about 6 miles to Upper Strasburg.
Land and Water Features
According to the United States Census Bureau, Orrstown covers a total area of about 0.16 square kilometers (or 0.06 square miles). All of this area is land. The borough is located on a small hill. To the north is Conodoguinet Creek, and to the south is Muddy Run, which flows into the creek.
Population of Orrstown
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 356 | — | |
| 1870 | 305 | −14.3% | |
| 1880 | 302 | −1.0% | |
| 1890 | 262 | −13.2% | |
| 1910 | 247 | — | |
| 1920 | 217 | −12.1% | |
| 1930 | 211 | −2.8% | |
| 1940 | 294 | 39.3% | |
| 1950 | 295 | 0.3% | |
| 1960 | 318 | 7.8% | |
| 1970 | 262 | −17.6% | |
| 1980 | 247 | −5.7% | |
| 1990 | 220 | −10.9% | |
| 2000 | 231 | 5.0% | |
| 2010 | 262 | 13.4% | |
| 2020 | 214 | −18.3% | |
| Sources: | |||
Population Changes Over Time
The population of Orrstown has changed over the years. In 1860, there were 356 people. By 2020, the population was 214. You can see how the number of people living in Orrstown has changed in the chart above.
Who Lives in Orrstown
Based on the census from 2000, there were 231 people living in Orrstown. Most of the people were White. A very small number were from other races. Also, a small percentage of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
There were 79 households in the borough. Many of these households (about 65.8%) were married couples living together. About 32.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.67 people.
Age Groups in Orrstown
The population of Orrstown includes people of all ages. In 2000, about 24.7% of the people were under 18 years old. About 19.9% were 65 years old or older. The average age of people in Orrstown was 38 years.
See also
In Spanish: Orrstown para niños
