South Williamsport, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Borough hall
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Location of South Williamsport in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
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Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lycoming County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lycoming |
| Settled | 1790 |
| Incorporated | 1886 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.16 sq mi (5.60 km2) |
| • Land | 1.90 sq mi (4.92 km2) |
| • Water | 0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2) |
| Elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,261 |
| • Density | 3,297.00/sq mi (1,273.00/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
17702
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| Area code(s) | 570 |
| FIPS code | 42-72648 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1213653 |
South Williamsport is a small town, called a borough, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. It is famous around the world for hosting the Little League World Series. This is a big baseball tournament for kids from all over. In 2020, about 6,259 people lived here. South Williamsport is part of the larger Williamsport, Pennsylvania area.
Contents
History of South Williamsport
South Williamsport became an official borough in 1886. Before that, it was made up of smaller villages like Rocktown and Billman. The land was once part of Armstrong Township.
Early Inhabitants and Land Sales
The first people known to live in the Susquehanna River valley were the Susquehannocks. Their name means "people of the muddy river." By the early 1700s, they had mostly left the area. Later, the Munsee clan of the Lenape tribe lived here.
In 1768, the British bought this land from the Iroquois tribe. This opened the area for new settlers. After the American Revolutionary War, Lycoming County was formed in 1795. It was a very large county at first.
Founding and Early Growth
Williamsport, which is across the river, was also founded in 1795. It became the main town for the county. The first settler in what is now South Williamsport was likely Aaron Hagerman. He arrived soon after the Revolutionary War. A stream called Hagermans Run is named after him.
One of the first businesses was a tavern opened by Michael McDonough. Jacob Weiss helped the village grow by buying land and creating town lots. He also started a brickyard and mills for oil and grain.
Industry and Development
For a long time, South Williamsport's growth was connected to Williamsport's. Both towns had many sawmills and furniture factories. The lumber industry was very busy after the American Civil War. However, it slowed down in the 1890s as most of the trees were cut down.
Today, the area has many different types of businesses. The forests have grown back, offering beautiful scenery and places to enjoy nature. Some of the main employers in South Williamsport include Little League Baseball, Inc., Keystone Friction Hinge, the South Williamsport Area School District, and the New Lycoming Bakery. Even though mountains and the river limit space, the town has continued to grow steadily.
Schools and Community Life
In 1890, about 2,900 people lived in South Williamsport. Around 600 students attended 10 schools. Today, the South Williamsport Area School District has about 1,534 students. They attend three schools:
- Central Elementary (Kindergarten to 4th grade)
- Rommelt Elementary (5th to 6th grade)
- South Williamsport Area Jr./Sr. High School (Home of the Mountaineers)
The high school has one of the oldest football stadiums in Pennsylvania. It is called Rodney K. Morgans Stadium and is built into a hillside.
Geography and Location
South Williamsport is located at 41°13′45″N 77°0′2″W / 41.22917°N 77.00056°W. It is surrounded by the West Branch Susquehanna River to the north. Williamsport is just across the river. To the east and south is Armstrong Township. Duboistown is to the west.
The borough covers about 2.1 square miles (5.5 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small part being water.
South Williamsport has flood-control levees along the river. These are important for protecting the town from floods.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 2,900 | — | |
| 1900 | 3,328 | 14.8% | |
| 1910 | 3,734 | 12.2% | |
| 1920 | 4,341 | 16.3% | |
| 1930 | 6,058 | 39.6% | |
| 1940 | 6,033 | −0.4% | |
| 1950 | 6,364 | 5.5% | |
| 1960 | 6,972 | 9.6% | |
| 1970 | 7,153 | 2.6% | |
| 1980 | 6,581 | −8.0% | |
| 1990 | 6,496 | −1.3% | |
| 2000 | 6,412 | −1.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,379 | −0.5% | |
| 2020 | 6,259 | −1.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 6,224 | −2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 6,412 people living in South Williamsport. There were 2,735 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,775 of these were families.
Most people in the borough are White. A small number are African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people are of Hispanic or Latino background.
About 30% of households had children under 18. Many households were married couples. The average household had 2.33 people. The average family had 2.88 people.
The population includes people of all ages. About 23.5% were under 18. About 18.6% were 65 or older. The average age was 39 years old.
The average income for a household in 2000 was $34,018. For families, it was $40,673. About 10.3% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 17.2% of children under 18.
Many residents of South Williamsport have German ancestry. Other common backgrounds include Irish, Italian, and English.
Images for kids
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A panoramic view of South Williamsport from the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge with Bald Eagle Mountain in the background
See also
In Spanish: South Williamsport para niños
