Shippingport, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shippingport, Pennsylvania
|
|
|---|---|
The Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station and Bruce Mansfield Power Plant
|
|
Location in Beaver County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Beaver |
| Incorporated | 1910 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.68 sq mi (9.54 km2) |
| • Land | 3.33 sq mi (8.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.36 sq mi (0.92 km2) |
| Elevation | 741 ft (226 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 160 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
|
157 |
| • Density | 56.81/sq mi (21.93/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip code |
15077
|
| Area code(s) | 724 |
| FIPS code | 42-70376 |
Shippingport is a small town, called a borough, in western Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It is located right along the Ohio River. In 2020, about 160 people lived there. Shippingport is part of the larger Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
This town is famous for being home to the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station. It was also once the site of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station. This was the world's first full-size atomic electric power plant built only for peaceful uses.
Contents
Nuclear Power in Shippingport
Shippingport is a very important place in the history of nuclear power in the United States. It was the location of the country's first commercial nuclear power plant. This plant, called the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, started working in 1957.
A nuclear power plant uses the energy released from splitting atoms to create electricity. It's a way to make a lot of power without burning fossil fuels.
The original Shippingport reactor was shut down in 1982. However, two newer nuclear power units, called Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station Units 1 and 2, are still running today. Unit 1 started in 1976, and Unit 2 began in 1987. These plants help provide electricity to many homes and businesses.
Where is Shippingport?
Shippingport is located in the western part of Beaver County. It sits on the south side of the Ohio River. The town is next to Greene Township and Raccoon Township.
Across the Ohio River to the north are the towns of Industry and Midland. The Shippingport Bridge crosses the river, connecting Shippingport to Industry.
The United States Census Bureau says that Shippingport covers about 3.68 square miles (9.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 0.36 square miles (0.9 square kilometers) is water. This water area is mainly from the Ohio River.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 299 | — | |
| 1930 | 317 | 6.0% | |
| 1940 | 441 | 39.1% | |
| 1950 | 408 | −7.5% | |
| 1960 | 383 | −6.1% | |
| 1970 | 328 | −14.4% | |
| 1980 | 255 | −22.3% | |
| 1990 | 227 | −11.0% | |
| 2000 | 237 | 4.4% | |
| 2010 | 214 | −9.7% | |
| 2020 | 160 | −25.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 157 | −26.6% | |
| Sources: | |||
Shippingport has seen its population change over the years. In 1920, there were 299 people living there. The population grew to its highest point in 1940 with 441 residents.
Since then, the number of people living in Shippingport has slowly decreased. In 2020, the population was 160 people. This shows how small towns can change over many decades.
Education for Kids
Children living in Shippingport attend schools in the South Side Area School District. This school district provides education for students from kindergarten through high school.
The schools that serve Shippingport are:
- South Side Elementary School – for students in grades K-5
- South Side Middle School – for students in grades 6-8
- South Side High School – for students in grades 9-12
See also
In Spanish: Shippingport (Pensilvania) para niños
