Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
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| Nickname(s):
The Grove
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Location of Selinsgrove in Snyder County, Pennsylvania.
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 Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Pennsylvania | |
| County | Snyder | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.90 sq mi (4.92 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.83 sq mi (4.74 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2) 3.7% | |
| Elevation
(borough benchmark)
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444 ft (135 m) | |
| Highest elevation
(southwest boundary of borough)
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600 ft (182 m) | |
| Lowest elevation
(Susquehanna River)
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418 ft (127 m) | |
| Population
(2020)>
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| • Total | 5,761  |
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| • Estimate
(2021)
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5,741 | |
| • Density | 3,223.38/sq mi (1,244.33/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT | |
| ZIP code |
17870
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| Area code(s) | 570 and 272 | |
| FIPS code | 42-69216 | |
| Website | Borough Website | |
Selinsgrove is a lively borough in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It is the largest town in the county. About 5,761 people lived here in 2020.
This town is in the middle of the Susquehanna River Valley. You can find it in Central Pennsylvania, along U.S. Routes 11 and 15. It's about 45 miles north of Harrisburg. Selinsgrove is also home to Susquehanna University.
Contents
History of Selinsgrove
Selinsgrove was started in 1787 by Captain Anthony Selin. He was a soldier who fought in the American Revolution.
Early Events in Selinsgrove
A major event in the area's history was the Penns Creek Massacre. This happened on October 16, 1755. It was a series of attacks on Pennsylvania settlements. Native Americans, who were working with the French, carried out these attacks. This was during the French and Indian War.
A special marker is on the bank of Penns Creek. It remembers the 14 settlers who were killed. It also notes the 11 people who were captured. After these attacks, Fort Augusta was built in Sunbury in 1756. It was the biggest fort on Pennsylvania's frontier.
Historic Buildings in Selinsgrove
Several buildings in Selinsgrove are very old and important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:
- Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall at Susquehanna University
- Gov. Simon Snyder Mansion on Market Street
Geography and Climate
Selinsgrove covers about 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). It sits right next to the Susquehanna River.
The Isle of Que
A special part of the borough is called the "Isle of Que." It's pronounced like "queue." This area is located between Penns Creek and the Susquehanna River.
Selinsgrove's Weather
Selinsgrove has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. Here are some facts about the weather:
- The hottest month is usually July.
- The coldest month is usually January.
- The area gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.
- Snowfall is common in winter months.
| Climate data for Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 72 (22) |
77 (25) |
87 (31) |
94 (34) |
96 (36) |
100 (38) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
100 (38) |
92 (33) |
80 (27) |
73 (23) |
105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 35.7 (2.1) |
38.5 (3.6) |
47.6 (8.7) |
60.9 (16.1) |
71.6 (22.0) |
80.4 (26.9) |
85.0 (29.4) |
82.7 (28.2) |
75.7 (24.3) |
63.4 (17.4) |
51.1 (10.6) |
40.2 (4.6) |
61.1 (16.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 27.5 (−2.5) |
29.5 (−1.4) |
37.6 (3.1) |
49.2 (9.6) |
59.8 (15.4) |
69.2 (20.7) |
73.6 (23.1) |
71.6 (22.0) |
64.5 (18.1) |
52.6 (11.4) |
41.5 (5.3) |
32.5 (0.3) |
50.8 (10.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19.4 (−7.0) |
20.4 (−6.4) |
27.5 (−2.5) |
37.4 (3.0) |
48.0 (8.9) |
58.0 (14.4) |
62.2 (16.8) |
60.6 (15.9) |
53.2 (11.8) |
41.7 (5.4) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
24.9 (−3.9) |
40.4 (4.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −27 (−33) |
−22 (−30) |
−11 (−24) |
7 (−14) |
23 (−5) |
33 (1) |
41 (5) |
35 (2) |
29 (−2) |
16 (−9) |
−5 (−21) |
−11 (−24) |
−27 (−33) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.07 (78) |
2.30 (58) |
3.26 (83) |
3.68 (93) |
3.76 (96) |
4.38 (111) |
4.29 (109) |
3.78 (96) |
4.41 (112) |
3.88 (99) |
3.05 (77) |
3.24 (82) |
43.10 (1,095) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.7 (25) |
7.6 (19) |
5.6 (14) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
1.2 (3.0) |
4.1 (10) |
29.0 (74) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 12.2 | 9.6 | 11.3 | 12.3 | 12.9 | 11.7 | 11.0 | 10.9 | 9.9 | 10.6 | 10.0 | 10.8 | 133.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 5.0 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 15.4 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People in Selinsgrove
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,261 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,453 | 15.2% | |
| 1880 | 1,431 | −1.5% | |
| 1890 | 1,315 | −8.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,326 | 0.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,473 | 11.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,937 | 31.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,797 | 44.4% | |
| 1940 | 2,877 | 2.9% | |
| 1950 | 3,514 | 22.1% | |
| 1960 | 3,948 | 12.4% | |
| 1970 | 5,116 | 29.6% | |
| 1980 | 5,227 | 2.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,384 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 5,383 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 5,654 | 5.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,761 | 1.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 5,741 | 1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Selinsgrove is a main city in the Selinsgrove, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is also part of a larger area called the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area.
Population Details
In 2010, there were 5,654 people living in Selinsgrove. There were 1,812 households. About 930 of these were families.
The people living here are mostly White (91.7%). There are also Black or African American (3.4%), Asian (1.2%), and Native American (0.2%) residents. About 6.0% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. Many of these are from Mexico.
Susquehanna University has a big effect on the population. Many students live in dorms, not regular homes. This means a lot of people aged 18-24 live in Selinsgrove.
The average age in the borough is 22.9 years. About 39% of residents are 18-24 years old. Another 14% are under 18.
Women make up 53.6% of the population. This means there are about 86 men for every 100 women.
Work and Income
The median income for a household in Selinsgrove was $47,500. This was based on a survey from 2013-2017. The median income for a family was $54,190.
The unemployment rate for adults aged 25-64 was low, at 1.8%. Most adults in this age group were working. About 11% of families were below the poverty line. This number does not include students.
Economy and Jobs
The biggest employers in Selinsgrove are companies that make things for homes. Schools and colleges, like Susquehanna University, also provide many jobs.
Educational services and healthcare jobs are growing fast. They are expected to make up most of the new jobs in the area. Manufacturing jobs are expected to decrease. However, construction jobs are expected to grow.
Other jobs in the area include service roles in local businesses. There are also jobs at hospitals like UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury and Evangelical Hospital in Lewisburg.
Getting Around Selinsgrove
Several important roads pass through Selinsgrove. These include US Routes 11, 15, and 522. PA Route 35 also goes through the town.
You can take a bus from Selinsgrove to other cities. Fullington Trailways provides bus service. You can travel south to Harrisburg. You can also go north to Williamsport and Elmira, New York.
Education in Selinsgrove
The local public school system is the Selinsgrove Area School District. The district has four schools. They are all located together on a campus in Selinsgrove borough.
Parks and Recreation
Selinsgrove has several parks and outdoor spaces for fun and activities.
Kidsgrove Park
Kidsgrove Park is a 3.25-acre park for families. It has a big wooden play structure. There are also swings and a sandbox. You can find a band shell, picnic areas, and walking paths. Restrooms are open during certain seasons.
Major Anthony Selin Park
Major Anthony Selin Park is on Sassafras Street. It has courts for horseshoe, quoit, and basketball. There are also soccer fields. A large covered pavilion is available for picnics and gatherings. This park also has a kitchen and restrooms.
A "Life Trail" is a special feature here. It's a system of exercise and walking paths. Local businesses have helped by providing information on fitness. In the summer, the park hosts sports camps. These camps teach different sports like soccer, baseball, and volleyball.
Pump House Park and Gazebo
Pump House Park has a building you can rent for events. It includes restrooms and a kitchen. The meeting space can fit about 30 to 60 people.
The Gazebo is another nice part of the park. It's in a pretty spot along Penns Creek. Many people use the Gazebo for outdoor weddings. It also hosts free concerts in June, July, and August. This event is called "Music at the Gazebo."
East Snyder Park
East Snyder Park is a multi-use facility. It is still being developed with state grants and donations. It is located near University Avenue and Route 522.
The plan for the park includes:
- Nine professional horseshoe pits
- Fields for baseball, softball, football, and soccer
- Playgrounds for different age groups
- A small wetland conservation education area
River Access and Trails
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission helps people access the Susquehanna River. You can find a boating access point on the Isle of Que.
The Susquehanna Greenway is a big project. It connects natural, cultural, and historic places. It also links recreational spots along the 500-mile (800 km) Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.
Selinsgrove also has a public swimming pool. It was built in the early 1970s.
Community Groups
Selinsgrove Area Community Foundation
The Selinsgrove Area Community Foundation (SACF) started in 1994. It helps the community in many ways. SACF gives scholarships to students in the Selinsgrove Area schools. It has also helped fund projects like KidsGrove and the Selinsgrove Pool. They have also supported the Snyder County Library System.
Selinsgrove Adult Band
The Selinsgrove Adult Band performs an annual spring concert. They use the school district's facilities for this. The concert helps raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Orange Street News
In 2016, a young journalist named Hilde Lysiak gained attention. She was 9 years old and covered a local news story for her paper, the Orange Street News. This newspaper focuses on events in Selinsgrove.
Cemeteries
Selinsgrove has several cemeteries, which are places where people are buried. These include:
- Evergreen (Baker's)
- Saint Paul's United Church of Christ
- Trinity (English, New) Lutheran
- Sharon (German) Evangelical Lutheran
- Wagenseller's Union
- Old Lutheran Cemetery - The grave of Simon Snyder, a three-term Pennsylvania Governor, is located here.
Notable People from Selinsgrove
Many interesting people have connections to Selinsgrove:
- Benjamin Burnley - musician, member of the rock group Breaking Benjamin
- Jacob Coxey - politician who supported social change
- Jim Davidson - actor and model, a graduate of Selinsgrove High School
- Aaron Fink - musician, member of the rock groups Breaking Benjamin and Lifer
- Euell Gibbons - naturalist, known for his love of wild foods
- Jeremy Hummel - musician, member of the rock group Breaking Benjamin
- Hilde Lysiak - young journalist and publisher of the Orange Street News
- Matthew Lysiak - nationally recognized journalist and author, lives in Selinsgrove
- Jeanne Shaheen - former Governor of New Hampshire, now a U.S. Senator
- Simon Snyder - served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1808 to 1817
- Amos Alonzo Stagg - famous football coach, advised Susquehanna University from 1947 to 1952
Images for kids
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Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall.jpg
Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall
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Gov. Simon Snyder Mansion.jpg
Gov. Simon Snyder Mansion
See also
In Spanish: Selinsgrove para niños
